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Taijiquan may not have begun as an inherently Daoist practice. This might seem a bit strange, as Taiji literally is the name of the symbol which most Westerners know as the yin-yang symbol (more properly known as a Taijitu). And the invention of Taiji is also typically attributed to a figure important in Chinese Daoism. But “taiji” also means something like “Supreme Ultimate” and so Taijiquan as “Supreme Ultimate Boxing ’’ is a pretty impressive sounding name, if nothing else.

This exercise, which we might call a form of “mindful walking” if we were into that sort of thing, is a mobile practice centered around—you guessed it—walking. However, we’re going to walk with intention. The use of intention is what takes this exercise beyond mindfulness. Yes, we will be paying close attention to what we are doing and listening to our body in a “mindful” way, grounded in the present moment. However! We will be actively creating something to pay attention to, and this is as much the point of the exercise as the listening component.

Here in Seattle we are once again headed into a period of required mask wearing in public spaces. Many folks might be strongly advised to engage in double mask use in some contexts and depending on their mask selection (a thing I do myself, as my N95s have an exhalation valve). While masks don’t interfere with our oxygen levels, and mostly don’t make it any harder to breathe than wearing a scarf in the winter, they do change our experience of being out and about in the world, and even how we experience fundamental aspects of our own bodies.

This is a movement, breathing, and attention exercise. The intention is to work with the breath, and understand the breath as not simply a passive activity, but as a form (and source) of movement. It is simple, but can be quite challenging and can be a rich practice. An audio version of this exercise that guides you through it will be produced in the future. For now, simply read it and give it a try. It can take anywhere from five minutes to as long as you would like.

The site is currently under construction, and will be in flux for a bit.