It is beyond scary how harshly we all judge ourselves according to random standards. Especially nowadays that the almighty social media dictate our appearances and behaviours setting up very specific rules that need to be followed (or unfollowed) in order to secure our coolness. Most importantly though this coolness has to be shared, witnessed and confirmed by other people otherwise it does not seem to exist. In general we define ourselves according to others and even the most self-sufficient and secure of us passionately crave approval. And I am not only referring to generic social standards. I am talking about personal relationships as well as absurd concepts like: “Being able to get a partner makes me worthy of love” and other such crazy mental loops that our minds are constantly caught in.
The answer for me is in experiencing the body. When life is truly experienced no one’s opinion can overshadow that. Who ever doubted themselves while having an orgasm? Weird as it may sound experiencing our body fully with our senses is like having innumerable little orgasms every minute. It is about taking the time and observing every little move each muscle makes, every creak each bone makes. It is about mapping all pain and trauma that was engraved into the body with care and love and attention.
This can be achieved by many practises, it so happens that tai chi is mine and when I move slowly practising the forms is when I take the time to listen to my body from within. After all there is a part of the journey that can never be shared with anyone. Regardless to how close we get to others no one will ever know how your own muscles feel under your skin. So take the time to feel them.
I currently teach:
The Sword form
at St. John’s Community Hall
43-51 New North Road N1 6JB
every Sunday at 6.30 pm
and the 24 step Short form at
Barnsbury Community Centre 10 Jays Street N1 0TJ every Tuesday at 12.00 noon
at the RCA Student Union every Thursday at 12.30pm
and at East London Community Wellbeing every Thursday at 15.30pm
Words on Steps 