Return to Mountain

When I recently took a break from my writing to focus on family time, I was off the couch and far more active than I usually am, and I like the feeling so much that I don’t want to lose it. Now that I’m back to writing, which keeps me inactive for hours, I’m trying to make a point of taking longer walks, closer to two miles, rather than my old strolls to meet a friend for tea a block away.

I’ve also resumed my version of Tai Chi: a combination of ten basic movements I learned from Jake Mace online, an abbreviated Cheng Man Ching short form I learned from Patrick Lau in San Francisco, and a nice little piece I learned from a local teacher here in CT (embrace tiger, return to mountain).

I am so not an expert, but I don’t need to be. I love the limber, centered, grounded feeling that my exercise brings me, and it makes it more bearable to return to the couch. They say sitting is the new smoking for the impact it has on our health, and I can feel that in my own body. If you’re a writer or person with another sedentary job, I’d love to hear what you do to keep moving.