Be... the tree...

[kukla_tko]

I went to Tai Chi class last night, and arrived much earlier than everyone else. We gather in a nice little shady park in Clayton. My SO had to run home first, so I offered to pick up some dinner, in the form of pre-packaged grocery store Sushi. (Schnuck's and Dierbergs sometimes have these fresh Sushi counters, where you can get a little tray of fresh sushi for a reasonable price. Take THAT, McDonald's!!)

One of our favorite dates used to be trays of sushi, water, apples and sitting in the Turtle Park after work. We even did this at Laumeier Sculpture Park once, with the addition of sparkling juice as a special treat.

So, I grabbed sushi and bottles of water, took everything to our customary spot, spread out one of the velvet coverlets I keep in the car, and sprawled with my picnic.

Mmm. Sushi. Mmm. Park. MMM. Tree. Yay! Squirrel!

I let my zen moment come.

Be the tree. The tree is not static, but it holds still. It sways in the breeze, provides shelter and shade, and just... is. Be... the tree...

Until I was distracted by a squirrel. I can watch those fuzzy little critters all day long. They can stop time to be still, and move very quickly and gracefully... and do the exact same movements slowly when they choose.

It got my head on straight for class. Tai Chi is still really hard, since I can't even get the damn stance right yet, and my muscles are whining at me about having to *work*. I was sweating like pigs don't, and my quads were trembling, and that was just the warm up, but I did it. Not the pain of injury, just the discomfort of unaccustomed work. Then I got to do the "push hands" exercise, with both my SO and my Father.

Papa joined our class. This helps, because he has a very playful attitude about Tai Chi.

Doesn't that just blow the back off of your HEAD? MY FATHER, being PLAYFUL about something?

So this helps, because he can sometimes add the right element to what Sue is teaching, and I get a big face full of my father being playful.

My current goal is to quit being surprised by this.

At any rate, it helped a lot. (As I knew it would. One of the things that kept me going this weekend was the knowledge that I would get to work it all out in Tai Chi class.)

(Breathe.)

Sigh.


I will be at the Spaghetti dinner/auction that the Sisters of St. Joseph are hosting on Saturday. Gotta hustle for the troupe. Not sure what team I am bringing. I know that my mom (The Fairy Godmother) wants to come and help, and I have a pretty newbie who really wants to go.
I think I want an experienced actor, though. Someone who can answer questions and has actually performed at a troupe event with me before.

It looks like I even get a day to myself this weekend. There is some mandatory family fun which my SO is required to attend and bring the Kids to. That's on Sunday, and I don't have to go, so I can get in a nap, or a big chunk of "nothing."

Other than that, just the usual weekday stuff ahead of me, and some cleaning both at home and at other people's houses.

*That* will be nice. :)

Comments

[hick0ry.livejournal.com]

Actually, that doesn't surprise me about your Dad. And it's the right attitude, too, at least according to my former teacher. She said what we were doing was properly called playing Tai Chi, not practicing or even learning. Tee hee.

Entirely correct.

[kukla-tko42.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that seems to be the deal. I have muscles to wake up and get used to the work, first. It isn't play yet, but it shall be.

And playing is exercise I can see myself doing without provocation.

I know that *you* are probably unsurprised to see my father's more human aspects.

The two of you are more alike than is comfortable for me.

;)

[mztish103.livejournal.com]

Hey... I forgot to tell you! Sandy is going to WI for the summer, so TAI CHI, here i come! Tell me where and what time again? Next Monday should work for me!

Um... but...

[kukla-tko42.livejournal.com]

As it turns out, there isn't a class next week. Our teacher is having a hiatus while she goes to China for four weeks. She and Papa are leaving on Saturday.

Our next class will be on July 12th. You may feel free to come to that class, though!

In the mean time, we could get together and show you what we are learning. My SO can help you with your stance, and I can show you some of the movements.

Re: Um... but...

[mztish103.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a generous offer and I'm all up for it... maybe we can combine it with the 'candles con community' party? Do you have a date yet? My calender is filling quickly!?