Feeling the Rhythm
June 26th, 2008Last Saturday in Tai Chi class my teacher was instructing all of us to relax and pay attention to what we were doing, to allow ourselves to relax and let go. “If you do,” he said, “you will feel the rhythm of Tai Chi.” Sometimes when he talks, I feel as though he’s talking directly to me as though he knows what I’m dealing with in my personal life. “Allow yourself to let go . . . feel the rhythm” Yeah, that’s me.
We also have class on Wednesday nights. Last night he spoke about how he’s writing a book tentatively called Tai Chi and Enlightenment. He’s trying to figure out why it’s so hard for people to learn it. Other arts like Judo, Karate, Aikido are all easier to learn. “You can take Cha, Cha, Cha lessons and be pretty good in a few months.” he said. “Tai Chi should be easier to learn because you’re using less effort. It’s a mystery.”
“Tai Chi can be as easy to learn as taking a deep breath or as difficult as trying to learn Chinese. The choice is up to you.” he added.
Other students all had their own ideas and opinions on why it takes longer to learn the art. We’re used to using strength & it’s hard to give that up, we’re too full of opinions on what we ‘think’ it should be, etc. He didn’t so much disagree with what we said but he added that he thought people brought too much emotion to the art. “Why would you go on vacation to Mexico and carry your baggage down to the beach? It’s pretty hard to swim carrying all that. Why not leave it in your hotel room?”
Tai Chi is very simple if you don’t have a mind full of thoughts and emotions. When you raise your hand, just think/be aware of “I’m raising my hand.” and that’s it. Let go of whether you’re upset, jealous, sad, angry, etc. Those things don’t matter and only get in the way of the flow.
My man, he knows me pretty well.
Here’s a little exercise I’m working on. Whenever I notice myself being angry, sad or whatever - I consciously tell myself “Okay, I’m feeling tense because I’m angry at the guy who cut me off in traffic. I make the choice now to let go of that feeling and those thoughts.” then I breath deeply and slowly for a while and move on. With enough practice it will become easier and who knows, maybe you’ll feel the rhythm of life.
June 27th, 2008 at 3:44 am
This reminds me of a quote:
“Taiji is easy to learn, but difficult to correct.”
I agree with your teacher about the natural rhythm of taiji. Some folks try to control their breathing, but I am an advocate of the natural breathing method. In time, the breath and the movement will find each other
June 27th, 2008 at 8:28 am
I’ve never done Tai Chi, but when I took a yoga class (Hatha) a year ago, I remember what an incredible sense of peace I would feel afterwards. Walking home beneath a starry sky (actually, I might have been floating) I recall thinking, “If everyone in the world did Yoga, there would be no war.”
Relaxing, letting go of the day’s baggage, and doing something good for yourself go a long way in creating a sense of peace in our souls that ultimately enables us to live in harmony with others…even those who cut us off in traffic!
June 27th, 2008 at 10:41 am
It is indeed amazing how much relaxation improves all areas of our lives.
Sharon and Wujimon thanks for your comments.
June 27th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
A different metaphor - I have been listening to a LOT of jazz lately, all kinds from all periods. And the rhythms and harmonies are constantly changing and being explored - and I’m just going with it, listening and observing, even when it gets pretty far off the beat or dissonant.
Somehow this translates into helping me to relax and go with the ragged rhythms in my own life right now, the disharmony, observing it all and not stressing over it like I would have in the past. I know it will change and flow into something else, don’t know what yet, but I’m keeping my ears open….
June 27th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Faith,
What an excellent example. I play music when I teach Tai Chi but it’s a mix of contemporary and traditional Chinese with some Asian influenced new age stuff thrown in. It’s amazing how helpful it is just playing softly in the background. Several of my students have said they listen to music at home when they practice too.
When I taught Aikido or Karate I liked the traditional Taiko drumming music. Their pounding rhythms are very energetic.
Jazz is a favorite of mine too, but I take the discordant or off beat music in small doses. It’s a little like looking at a Hieronymus Bosch painting for me; well done but a little disturbing.
June 28th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
And also along the lines of feeling the rhythm and flow… I wanted to tell you how much I enjoy watching the subtle seasonal changes in the artwork at the top of this blogsite. It’s nice to see the summery leaves and grass!
June 29th, 2008 at 7:38 am
Thanks Faith. I remember hearing research that showed that people who live in an area with definitive seasonal changes have improved mental health. That’s always stuck with me and I thought it would be a fun change to make throughout the year. I hope it helps lighten up the heavy subject of depression.