Author: annebower

Former academic, tai chi instructor since 2005, tai chi trainer since 2014, writer

Good Trouble, Necessary Trouble

annebower

Yesterday, participating in a demonstration that celebrated the work of Congressman John Lewis and protested the autocratic policies our national government is imposing, the hot sun pounding down on us, people in passing cars waving or giving a thumbs up –and some giving a thumbs down–my heart ached for those who are suffering because of this administration.

I know some people will say it’s inappropriate for me, as a tai chi instructor, to take a public stand in this way, but tai chi has opened my heart to the needs of my fellow human beings–not only for health but for support and encouragement. And beyond that all those basic needs that for many are being destroyed, whether because of climate change policies, cuts to medicare and medicaid, cuts to departments that provide needed services in education, health, scientific research, and more.

In tai chi we often say, “yield to the incoming force and redirect.” If only there were a way to apply that to the current political situation! I am one elderly person, and there’s little I can do to change the direction of our government. Yes, I can use my disposable income to support the causes I believe in. Yes, I can act in as caring and courteous a way as possible to all I encounter. And yes, when someone presents me with a lie or piece of misinformation/disinformation or their bigotry, I can get into a bit of good, necessary trouble by saying sorry, that really doesn’t wash OR I can’t accept that OR if that’s your attitude we have nothing to say to each other. If that offends someone, so be it. A tiny bit of good and necessary trouble.

Bafa Wubu–Eight Energies, Five Directions

annebower

On June 20th a large group of Tai Chi Vermont instructors attended a certification workshop focused on this enjoyable, short style of tai chi. The workshop was led by Marty Kidder and Lisa Hilaire. We were in the beautiful Charlotte Congregational Church and not only learned from Marty and Lisa but from each other as well, with lots of mutual encouragement and a good bit of laughter too.

Bafa Wubu is now the new standard introductory form of tai chi in China. It takes very little space which means you can practice in your office, kitchen, garage, almost anywhere! It combines moves from the major traditional tai chi styles. The first half involves movements that engage the core, but the feet are stationary. During the second half we move forward, backward, right, left, and at the end there’s a one-leg standing posture to represent “up.”

Now that I’m certified in this form I look forward to teaching it; exactly how to fit it into the current teaching schedule? Haven’t figured that out yet!

Grateful to our Senior Centers

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For over fifteen years I’ve been teaching at the Bugbee Sr. Ctr. in WRJ and the Thompson Sr. Ctr. in Woodstock. Big thanks to the staff at both locations for all the support they’ve provided. Each of these centers provides food, exercise, advice, cultural experiences, and fantastic opportunities for socializing.

Please support your senior centers. This is more important than ever given the kinds of budget cuts the current federal administration is putting in place.

As many of you know, I’ve had three chapbooks of poetry published, each with a different press. I’m currently selling them at the bargain rate of $5 each, with the money going to our two senior centers. So let me know if you want one. If you are a current student, I can bring it to you. If you aren’t, I can mail it to you (but the cost, incl. shipping and handling, will be $10, and you’ll need to email me your mailing address). You can pay using the cart icon on this website.

Poems for Tai Chi Players, Kattywompus Press: All the poems relate directly to tai chi

The Space Between Us, Finishing Line Press: Poems about the spaces within and around us, in nature, in relationships, and a few about tai chi too

Getting it Down on Paper, Orchard Street Press: This letter-like exchange of poems with fellow-poet Pam Ahlen, explores our histories and experiences in a wonderful give and take.

Rain

annebower

Many years ago, I lived in Ireland for close to three years, so people–I know rain.

When my mother came to visit us, her response to the weather was, “If I lived here, I’d grow moss on my north side”! ( By the by–that idea that moss grows on the north side of trees isn’t true–moss is opportunistic and will grow most anywhere it finds the damp conditions it prefers.)

In Dublin where we first lived, and out in Corofin, County Clare, where we eventually spent our last 9 months overseas, there were “soft days” when the rain was just a mist and your heavy woolen sweater and a hat kept you dry enough. Other days were “spitting”–not awful, but annoying. When the rain got heavier it was “punishing,” “pissing,” “hammering,” and of course, folks talked of “buckets” of rain as well. Rain was simply a condition of life.

So as we’ve had this series of Vermont rainy days, I’ve tried to take on an Irish attitude and not let a bit of rain keep me indoors all the time. And look at how green the landscape has grown with all the moisture. Why, you might think you were in the Emerald Isle itself!

Don’t hold your breath

annebower

Throughout tai chi and qigong we want to breathe into the movements. There is no absolute method for this; each person discovers the breathing patterns that work best for their own body. We often find ourselves breathing out when it feels like we’re delivering energy or force with the particular movement–but that’s not a rule.

When anxious or uncertain, people often end up holding their breath. I really don’t know why that happens, but if it occurs to you, do try and let go. Holding back on your breathing increases tension–who needs that? For me, if I have a backache or I get myself in a state about politics or a sick friend or something else, just sitting, eyes closed, hands on belly, and breathing slowly and quietly brings me back to a state where thoughts and feelings can flow. I may not have a solution for whatever problem has been bothering me, but now I can accept that I have no solution!

Some of you may be adept at meditating–using a seated or standing form. Perhaps you have a chant or mantra that you say repeatedly (outloud or inwardly) as you breathe quietly. Perhaps you have special items you look at–lovely flowers or a picture or a statue. There are so many ways we can find a breathing practice that brings us back to center and helps us become ready to face life’s quandaries with more composure and openness.

Pruning

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We’ve 5 dwarf apple trees on our property and oh my, how poorly they are doing. In yesterday’s glorious sunshine and mild temperatures, and without much skill, I began pruning them, in hopes we will get some decent fruit this year. The goal for a healthy tree is one leader branch, up to 6 main side branches, and enough, but not too many smaller branches with buds that will flower and fruit.

Makes me think of what we want in ourselves, eh? A main direction, those side branches that enliven our days, and an array of budding tastes, smells, textures, sounds, and images to inspire us.

But it also makes me think of our “leader”–the person in the White House whose branches seem to wave and weave in ways that are actually harming many people around the world and here at home. You’d think the senate and house of representatives would have the guts to prune back this madness.

OK–we need to breathe, focus on community, support the groups doing the hard work of providing needed services to folks (for health care, schooling, food, etc.), and let our politicians know what we think, what we need, and what we want them to do. Stretch–do some yoga, tai chi, qigong, go on a run, write a poem, cook a good soup, keep your spirit up. I tell this to myself even as I write it to you……

Subzero and then

annebower

Up here in the Pomfret hills the landscape is still all white, blue, brown–hardly a leaf to be found. And it’s so cold. But it’s March, and you know what that means. Mud season will be upon us soon. Perhaps you don’t have to contend with dirt roads, but for those of us who do, this can be as challenging as ice and snow. When I first encountered the deep furrows and ridges of mud it felt like driving on a thick bed of writhing snakes! The car I drove back then had low clearance, but now I’ve a better vehicle which does help some.

Mud season means navigate carefully, don’t overcompensate, just keep going. Kinda like tai chi when you’re doing a challenging move. Or like creative endeavors where you have to overcome self-doubt and the writhing snakes of self-criticism. Just keep going.

February 28: Economic Blackout

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A number of folks have started this idea: On Feb. 28th don’t buy anything from a big corporation–most of them are supporting governmental policies that are horrendous. Avoid buying from places like McDonalds, Walmart, and Amazon that have removed DEI references from their materials. If you must buy take out food, do so from a LOCALLY owned place. If lots of us take this action it will still only make a small dent, but a small dent is better than no dent at all and more actions like this may follow. Yes, you can call me a liberal and a leftist; I don’t mind. What I mind is that the billionaires who own most of the big corporations in this country are backing governmental actions that are destroying democracy. OK–I’ve had my rant.

From a tai chi perspective, sometimes it’s good to employ fa jing–the exploding release of your energy. This happens during martial applications of tai chi, but can also be used in our normal practice when we feel that urge to send our energy outward. After the energy is released, the slower, quieter tai chi moves can resume.

Snow and more snow

annebower

So cold, so sleety, so windy………

and yet we can find pleasure in the adversity!

Quite a task to shovel out of our house and clear a path past the car and onto the (fortunately) plowed) driveway. I know more snow will fall, but at least this headstart didn’t wear me down and will make it easier to clean off car and exit when I need to do that.

Hope everyone out there is safe, warm, and finding good things to do–good for body and mind. Maybe some tai chi? Some qigong? A good book? Writing?

Great time at Lunar New Year Party

annebower

About 30 participants crowded into the Bugbee Senior Center’s exercise room in White River Junction, VT, some of whom you can see below. (A few individuals also joined by Zoom.) We celebrated the Year of the Snake with lots of tai chi forms and some qi gong as well, snacks, and laughter. We got to exchange Happy New Year messages in red envelopes and nibble gold wrapped chocolates, and learn what the Year of the Snake might portend. After, many folks stayed for a tasty Asian-themed lunch.

What really came home to me during this party was the social aspect of tai chi. Watching people chat during breaks, hug friends they’d not seen in a while, feel the energy of tai chi as we attempted to move together–wow! This aspect of tai chi is so important.