In Friday’s Tai Chi Easy™ practice group at the Greenhut Studio I mentioned some brief passages about the nature of water from the Tao Te Ching, also known as The Book of the Way.
Supreme good is like water.
Water greatly benefits all things without conflict.
It flows through places that people loathe.
Therefore it is close to the Way. ~Tao Te Ching 8
Nothing in the world is as soft and yielding as water.
Yet for dissolving the hard and inflexible, nothing can surpass it. ~Tao Te Ching 78
As we practice tai chi we learn to move softly, flowing like water, but with inner and outer strength. We can feel both the solidity of our stance (our rooted posture) and the softness of our breath and how our body expresses the gestures. Being “soft like water yet strong like a mountain” is a tai chi duality that helps us visualize the movements as strong yet flowing.
In April I will be away for one week of tai chi training in Austin, Texas. Our Friday morning practice group will continue with two wonderful guest teachers. On April 5th, Diane Doiron will lead the practice at the Greenhut Studio. Stephanie Holmes will lead the group on Friday April 12th.
Please attend when you can, even if it has been a long while. You will always be welcome!
Warm Qi greetings,
Robin Brooks
Winter ice will yield to melting as the sun warms the bay.
Bloodroot is one of the first wildflowers to emerge after winter’s dormancy. It’s bloom reminds me of the energy stored deep in the earth.