The End Of Our Tai Chi Chapter

‘The Smythie Graduation and Award Night’

Firstly, because I’m the writer here, I award a ‘GOLD STAR’ to ME!

When we started out on this little ‘learning experience’ it was tough. Well, for me it was tough. It was HOT beyond anything I had ever experienced, I thought I might just melt. My body ached and screamed from places that I never even knew existed, I never could have guessed just how tough life can be when your knees just fail to work! And then there were my own personal demons. They were on full speed, fast forward, maximum volume! My stubbornness was having a great run and being one to buck-up (fiercely) against routine … well, need I say more! BUT … through all of that I did it! I made it down to that training room 86 out of the 88 days, I trained for 352 hours out of the 356 and I will happily admit, that by the end, it was possible that if time allowed, I may just have agreed to a bit more time here! (What … did I say that?) This experience has changed me. Not in the way that is visibly noticeable, I’m not walking on a cloud or standing as gracefully as one of those white Chinese cranes for 8 hours straight, but I just feel so much lighter, alive, sensitive and alert. And stronger, I feel physically stronger than I’ve ever felt before. There’s a long way to go to get the full benefits of practicing such an amazing form of art, but what I will take out of this experience is profound, and happy and lovely!

Secondly, a ‘GOLD STAR’ is awarded to our amazing, and patient LIAM

For reasons totally opposite to my own, for the simple fact that he is actually packing up and leaving after JUST 4 and a half months (18 weeks = 88 days = 356 hours!) For anyone who knows our Liam you’ll understand the sheer scale of how difficult this is for him. He admitted the other day to one of our Tai Chi buddies that he’d happily stay for 1, 2 maybe 3 years – if only he had a willing family! SO … a MASSIVE gold star for Liam – for leaving!

A big shiny ‘GOLD STAR’ for our little Master Jed.

He is quite simple amazing! He has made us proud, over and over again. He picked up the forms so quickly and his enthusiasm and his zest for life was infectious. Every day he was there, in the training room, participating and learning and just being our crazy, energetic and adorable Jed. I don’t think there will ever be another student that smiles as much during their practice as our boy. He really does light up the room – and our hearts. YOU ROCK JEDABUG! (and yes, you will be an incredible Master one day who will bring joy to all of your students!)

AND last but definitely not least, I award a big shiny ‘GOLD STAR’ to our little mini Master Deni.

There were many times when I’m sure she wanted to scream out ‘NO MORE’, maybe hide in the cupboard, even give herself a belly ache to avoid that training room, but she didn’t. Yes, her feet may have been dragging at times but Deni was with us, moving her little legs and tiny little body every session. She’s a girl of my own heart so I appreciate just how big a deal this has been for her. There were many times over the past 4 months that we wondered if she was actually taking anything in, but she surprised and delighted us on the very last Wednesday of training. We had an exam … and she absolutely blitzed it! Her moves were perfect and she remembered everything. She wasn’t just going through the motions, she was actually feeling it. I wasn’t the only one in the room beaming with pride when she completed her exam, you should have heard the applause. So … well done our little princess. You are a star, and we are so very proud of you!

So that completes this chapter, and our “Tai Chi experience” in Yangshuo, China.