Furman has always offered a wide range of interesting MayX courses and last year’s “Tai Chi for Performers” was no exception. The course dove into the therapeutic benefits gained from the practice of Tai Chi Chuan by introducing students to a myriad of exercises primarily focused on silk reeling, , and a simplified Taiji Form. Though a bit out of the ordinary, the course attracted me because, while in Oregon a few years ago, I came across a group of women practicing Tai Chi in the park and decided to join them. I had no idea what I was doing, but ever since, the methodic, precise, and rhythmic movements have fascinated me. I thought that, after taking the class, I could continue the practice on my own and even eventually teach some friends when we are all in need of some Zen. In hindsight, the course was a fantastic experience that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys gentle exercises and stretching like myself. 

Typically, class would begin with a warm-up led by instructor Keith Davis. He would guide us through soft movements to waken the body all related to the practice of silk reeling. And though they were meant to be easy, my face would be flushed by the end of it! Plus, with every movement we were reminded to be cognizant of precision, attention to detail, and meticulous execution — so it was a workout of both the mind and body. I quickly learned that the dualistic aspects of silk reeling mechanics were quite challenging to grasp as a beginner, but with everyone in the class relatively on the same level, we all learned to enjoy the experience and just have fun with it!  

Beyond silk reeling, the course also covered qigong and standing meditation. Qigong is a form of meditation and a healing practice used in traditional Chinese medicine that translates to energy or “energy force.” The primary benefits of the practice include improved coordination, lowered stress and anxiety, and heightened focus – something that would benefit us all at the start of a new school year. For centuries, qigong has been used to detox or “cleanse” the body, as it inspires the movement of lymph fluids which gets rid of harmful toxins.

And while I enjoyed qigong, standing mediation was a different story. It sounds fairly simple, right? I mean, we have all had to stand in a ridiculously long line in the DH at rush hour, so standing meditation sounds more like a breeze than anything. Standing still is, in fact, more demanding than physical exercise because you put considerably more pressure on your muscle groups and thus usher in an uncomfortable, burning sensation. So yeah, not fun.

After warm-up, Keith Davis gradually introduced us to the steps of Taiji form. Taiji form, though often described as “meditation in motion,” is an arduous and lengthy routine,  

So if you’ve ever had a lurking interest in tai chi, I highly recommend that you consider taking this class. It did not require extensive outside-of-class commitment, which is a huge bonus if you are enrolled in another summer course or if you have a flexible summer job. Plus, Keith Davis is a humble and comedic man who provided a welcoming and comfortable environment to all students. And while the course is about appreciating the beauty of tai chi, it emphasizes learning without the pressure of perfection. Plus, we even got a private lesson from his very own tai chi master, Wang Fengming!

So, what are my final thoughts? Get a group of friends and take this class! It’s engaging, active, and such a fun way to spend part of your summer free time.