Drew Gerber, a Northwestern University Joutnalism student, shot video of my Monday Tai Chi class and interviewed me about my experience with Tai Chi as a student and teacher. We welcome Northwestern students into Heartwood to mutually enhance and further education, through various media, about the benefits of holistic health care. I have been working with both undergraduate and graduate Northwestern students for several years and really enjoy them!
Here is Drew’s completed project.
–Arlene Faulk, Tai Chi Instructor
Arlene Faulk
Tai Chi has transformed my life. I spent my first year seated in a chair, doing Tai Chi moves as best as I could. Very slowly I learned to walk again through the practice of the slow, deliberate walk that Tai Chi teaches.
In my published book, Walking on Pins and Needles: A Memoir of Chronic Resilience in the Face of Multiple Sclerosis, I tell my dramatic personal story of experiencing years of debilitating symptoms as I ascended the corporate ladder, landed on my couch for two years, then moved through a zig-zag path to find comfort and healing through Chinese medicine and Tai Chi.
Tai Chi was my guide in managing pain, increasing overall balance, strength and learning how to relax. Through the practice I discovered my calling and have been teaching Tai Chi for over 20 years.
I teach my students what continues to be life-enhancing for me: Tai Chi is not about trying harder; it’s about letting go, being in the moment, feeling balance and the fluidity of energy.