Tai Chi, Qigong, and a Sweet Moment of Joy

Are you currently a fan of Tai Chi or Qigong? Or are you curious and interested in learning more about these wonderful and ancient Chinese practices?

Then you'll enjoy this quick story about how two strangers' love of Tai Chi and Qigong intersected to spark a sweet moment of joy.

Up early one morning this week, I headed to nearby Dunbar Park for some morning exercise. I planned to run eight 50 yard sprints on grass. I like the workout because it's short, involves running, and the soft surface is easy on my knees and back.

The weather was delightful. Bright, warm morning sun, a cool breeze off Lake Michigan. The air sparkled.
Walking past the playground toward the grassy stretch where I run, I noticed a girl arcing through the morning air on a swing (how fun!).

Then something surprising caught my eye.

Near the playground was a woman performing a move that looked a lot like "Lifting the Sky." Lifting the Sky is the delightful first move of the Qigong set known as 8 Brocades, one of the Qigong sets we explore at Chicago Tai Chi.

(For a link to a video of Lifting the Sky, see the end of this post.)

I proceeded with my workout. In between sprints, I looked over toward the woman. Sure enough, she was progressing through the moves of 8 Brocades.

I thought, "How cool is that! Enjoying ancient Chinese exercise here in a Chicago Park."

I finished my workout feeling energized, happy, and grateful for the moments in the fresh morning air. I began my walk home, heading in the direction of the playground.

As I approached the playground, I noted the woman had finished her Qigong practice and started a Tai Chi form. It looked like the Yang 24.

Her Tai Chi looked high quality. Smooth, connected, powerful, whole body movement.

(New to Tai Chi? For a link to a quick video lesson, see the end of this message.)

Outside of teaching, I tend to keep to myself. A measure of introversion in my make-up, perhaps.

But riding my exercise high, I decided to take a risk.

I walked up to the fence around to the playground and called to the woman,

"早上好!" ("Good morning" in, no doubt, heavily accented Mandarin.)

She stopped, looked at me, with bright smile lighting up her face, and returned the greeting.

I screwed up some courage, took a deep breath, and said,

"你的气功和太极很好" ("Your qigong and tai chi very good.")

"You speak Chinese!" she exclaimed.

"Only a little," I responded.

Then she asked the question that brought joy to my day.

"You want to play Tai Chi with me?"

I had seen the expression "to play Tai Chi" before, and understand it's a common expression in Chinese.

But no one had ever asked me "to play Tai Chi" with them.

It felt so warm, light, and, well, playful.

A wave of joy past through me. I'll take that when I can get it!

I had a private client to meet soon, so I said, "I have to work. Next time!" She smiled, nodded, and returned to her form.

I continued my walk home, uplifted by a seemingly random interaction in a Chicago Park on a sweet August morning.

An interaction springing from two strangers' mutual passion for the ancient Chinese practices known as Tai Chi and Qigong.

I reflected on her question. What a wonderful perspective to take into your practice.

"Let's play!" Have fun with your practice. Enjoy it. Share it with playmates.

I continue to reflect on how to bring more playfulness into my teaching and practice.

Plus, I'm heading back to Dunbar Park very soon.

I'll plan accordingly. Making time, if asked, to play Tai Chi!

Ready to enjoy some Qigong or Tai Chi?

For a short guided Qigong with Lifting the Sky, click here.

To sample a delightful Qigong move called Cloud Hands, click here.

For a quick beginning Tai Chi lesson, click here.

If you enjoy the videos, please like, comment, and share them.

Thanks!

Chris Cinnamon, JD, MS
Certified Exercise Physiologist
Head Instructor
Author, Tai Chi for Balance and
Tai Chi for Knee Health