Pulling Taffy

I'm studying the moving meditation of T'ai Chi Chih with an accredited instructor, Sister Mary Ann Cirillo. To date we have learned ten movements and as Sister Mary says " that's a nice one" describes them all. But, this week she introduced Pulling Taffy and it's three variations.

Chi is the Chinese word for the intrinsic energy that flows through the meridian channels in your body and when your Yin/Yang (positive/negative) energy gets out of whack your body is open to disease, distress and disharmony. The circular movements of TCC help center and balance the Yin/Yang and "people have reported many physical, emotional, mental and spiritual benefits of regular practice".

Sounds groovy, and one is feeling the cosmic energy surging after having pulled it in from the farthest star and then you start Pulling Taffy. Your brain awakes from oneness with the universe and you have to think left hand over right, lead with right leg, step left heel down...confusion. Now, Anchor Step variation with its knock knee pose and the Yin and Yang are getting agitated and you want to let forth with a violent "Hah" karate sound. A little peace is restored when Wrist Circles variation lulls you into thinking "that's a nice one".

Finally, Perpetual Motion variation and you are swinging from the hips, grabbing that taffy, flinging it onto the opposite wall, stepping heel first and find your feet getting farther and farther apart. Clearly you are out of balance in the universe and thankful no one is watching because every other student is also lost in space. Class ends with the realignment of energy through the Cosmic Consciousness Pose and you feel relaxed and triumphant. You will continue to learn and do this quirky stuff because eventually even Pulling Taffy will become "a nice one".