My morning practice has become non-negotiable.

When you begin the day grounded and intentional — before the noise of the world and the needs of others take over — you make it possible to meet whatever comes your way with greater calm, clarity, and grace.

But there is one recently added element of my practice that transformed me in such a profound way today. I was tingling, maybe buzzing, with awareness that had me noticing a smile and a glow from the inside out.

But first, to recap:

One large glass of copper water. Check.

Walk around the neighborhood – no earbuds – to fully participate with the sights, sounds, and feels around me. Check.

Sunlight in my eyes to help calibrate my hormones for the new day as I looked up to the skies with a grateful, seeking heart. Check.

Savor quiet conversation with my partner as we enjoy our first cup of coffee. Check.

Heading to the sunny window of my office – my space – I return to my grateful heart and an openness to silent contemplation and receptivity, incorporating my affirmations. Check.

Then, came the revelation.

Already feeling balanced – and what I thought was tension-free – I turned to a new offering from my recent endeavors in Tai Chi.

Why Tai Chi?

It seems more assessable, because there is no equipment or special clothing. I do Tai Chi standing up, and it’s usually done with shoes on. So, totally convenient: just me, upright.

Finding a practitioner who resonates has been a journey – there are so many ads in social media that offer false transformations and whose practices look nothing like real Tai Chi.

I first wanted to learn about Tai Chi walking, which uses a gentle shifting of body weight from one leg to another, creating an ’empty’ or weightless leg. It focuses on slow, purposeful movements to move – versus using momentum.

I am now subscribing to Ann Swanson on YouTube to learn more.

This morning I discovered her Beginner Tai Chi Warmups to Ease Pain | Qi gong Morning Routine for

Flexibility & Balance and my day has been transformed.

I am not in pain, off balance, or inflexible. I was already feeling an inner balance, peace, and confidence – but I wanted to do a bit of Tai Chi to finish the start of my day.

One of the benefits to Tai Chi – aside from better balance, fall prevention, and joint relief – is the calming quality of this ‘moving meditation’ – anchoring our attention to the present moment.

This beginner’s warm-up video utilized what I call a body scan at the beginning of the practice and at the close. Immediately, my focus was drawn in to how I was standing and what I was feeling.

I wrote about this technique a few years ago – see Foodtalk4you April 2021 – I also have recommended body scans for caregivers to increase self-awareness in my book, Toolkit for Caregiver Emotions.

The magical mixture of Swanson’s guidance and my slow, gentle and deliberate movements – coupled with my growing self-awareness – produced in me, not only deep relaxation, but an indescribable vibrant glow!

All I can say is, “Wow!” – all in under 15 minutes!

Try it – you’ll like it!

In health –

Deidre