Thursday Tai chi

Look to the horizon my Tai chi teacher says not down at the floor at your feet or up above avoiding other souls.

Breathe into the stance, relax your shoulders. Automatically my shoulders tense. Breathe into your tight spots, breathe out and release.

Straight back hips forward, buttocks low, knees slightly bent. Breathe.

Breathe, who knew breathing could be so complicated.

Oh but I feel it. I feel it my core, my muscles, my stance. I feel in the mood, the way I walk and in my smile.

Lower. We crouch lower some leaning forward, some back, some barely moving just making shuffling sounds.

Lower and hold.

Hold, I did I held and it burned. Like my summer, my work, my home.

In your own time slowly return to wushu, paying attention to how you feel.

The hall is full of stillness, strong, soft, rigid, bent, upright, and breathing.

And slowly we come to awareness.

Bring it on.