Line Up For Thanksgiving Taiji

Wake Up Turkey

Taijiquan is meant to be practiced outside. Enough about that.

Line Up To Give Thanks

I use a deeply respectful method for lining up angles and for directing internal power. I’m reluctant to share it because I worry that my curt reputation will crumble with my tender claim. And, although I’ve taught many classes and many individuals outdoors, few have I shared this method with, and few have noticed my deliberate organizing before form practice.

But…for gratitude’s sake…I’ll share it.

(I was going to wait. But I won’t wait. To give you a chance to practice giving thanks, I’ll share it today instead of on Thanksgiving.)

Do Taiji Outside

Parks are easy for this. Typically, trees have been planted in parks. They therefore line up in neat rows. In many old parks, it’s not so obvious, but when you line up for my Gratitude Method, you’ll recognize planted trees.

Wild spots are better. Inevitably, you’ll find trees or bushes or mountains or hills or a moon to help you. And when such wild things line up with you: you get deep down into graceful gratitude. Something extra resonates.

Finally: the Gratitude Method

Because the Taijiquan Long Form uses cardinal directions and direct diagonals, it’s easy to line up.

First, find your starting point. Face North. This is a deliberate and focused task. Face North, and do it facing an entity. If it’s dark, crank your eyes to the North Star; if it’s light, pick someone to look right at: pick a tree or a tall rock. Pick someone as tall or taller than you.

Then choose East and West. Back up or move forward until you find yourself lined up between two other entities. Again choose someone living: a rock or a tree or a bush or a planet: pick someone on purpose.

Use your intent. You will be making an offering, so ask each of them…“Is this okay?” Wait an answer.

When you find those 3, the rest will follow. Begin your form. Each direction you face, acknowledge your non-human partner. Let him or her help you. Offer him or her your energies…your Peng, your Lu, your An, and your Ji. Radiate light, give your light and your gratitude to your new friends.

Make offering after offering, through your whole form. By offering, notice how far you extend. Notice how differently you reach.

As you turn to the corners, you’ll see others to project toward. Enjoy this vast and open world. And give thanks to each of your friends.

This is your chance.