Sylvia's Journal

After some 28 hours of Tai Chi practice this week, my arthritic fused ankle called it quits. Today, while my fellow retreaters are perfecting the Tiger form, I took a pass and decided to write and read on the little hammock-equipped deck off my room by the pool and enjoy the birdsong, magnificent greenery, and the 73 degrees before heading back home tomorrow to winter.
I did participate in our last early morning class to perfect the new form we learned (only partially) in our Wednesday class at the library in Manchester. It is called Bafa Wubu (meaning ‘eight energies and five directions’). Back home we had been practicing the eight energies and had just started learning the five directions. This morning we completed the entire Form. I cannot quite do it on my own but I have felt the flow of the Form and am motivated to master it. It is beautiful to watch and it feels great to do, and doesn’t tax my ankle the way the Tiger Form does.
I am testing out some fortified CBD salve that my neighbor Lisa makes herself. She gave me a small sample to try. I have tried many such products and never found one that had a positive effect. I liberated my ankle from its brace and sneaker that it has been encased in the entire time here. It feels great as long as long as I stay seated.