TaiChi for 120 and Beyond

August 29, 2018. I’d just fallen into the habit of walking to the beach after walking Patricia, soon to be my wife, to her car. She leaves at 6:30 am to drive to Samueli Academy where she teaches Design at the best public charter school in the country.

My trek took me past Aliso Creek Beach where I’d see a group earnestly practicing Tai Chi. I’d continue on past West Street Beach to the point at Table Rock Drive on my 120 and Beyond quest to walk at least 10,000 steps per day for the rest of my life. I’m interested in joining them but I hesitate disturbing their moving meditation.

A week later, on my way back from Table Rock, I meet Bill and Alexandra of the Tai Chi group, talking at the Lost Pier Cafe. I'm invited to join them. The rest is history, so to speak, now I see Tai Chi, my 10,000 People: My Art Book Project, merging with my 120 and Beyond Project.

The next day I meet Vince, Jim, Pavla, Ron, Tatiana, and the rest of the group to begin the Tai Chi Chapter of my life, Alexandra and Bill are there too.

I was directed to stand behind and shadow Jim’s movements because I could hear the next movement at just the right time. I was able to follow along, like learning how to dance but a little clumsy. Phenomenal was their balance, like Rudolf Nureyev or Misty Copeland. After practice we gathered at Coyote Grill for coffee and breakfast on Pacific Coast Highway, just above Table Rock. I’ve come full circle in a Tai Chi upward spiral, like a bird in a rising thermal.

After a few months of answering my many questions, Jim lends to me his Yang Style Taijiquan book but after having it for many weeks, I’m not ready to return it but I do after ordering my own copy, which I ask him to autography along with Bill and Vince.