Not a Morning Person

For the last 6 days, I've been out of town at a convention. I have practiced T'ai Chi every day since I started in mid-May (that's, what? a whopping 9 weeks?). I am terrified of missing a single day, because it sets a precedent. If I give myself permission to miss one day, why can't I give myself permission to miss some other day? Or two? Or. . . . It's a slippery slope. It could go the way of the gym. And I really, REALLY don't want it to.

So, I was determined to figure out how I was going to fit in a T'ai Chi practice every day while at this convention. The choices were (a) do my usual sunset time, which would mean leaving the convention while things were still going on and missing something important--that had a lot of undesirability going for it, (b) do it after I come back to the hotel at midnight exhausted--yikes! a world of no! or (c) do it first thing in the morning, before going to the convention for the day--seems like the lessest of three evils.

I've read somewhere (even several somewheres, I think) that one "should" do yoga or meditation or T'ai Chi first thing in the morning. It starts your day off with your mind clear and calm, and you can carry that with you throughout your day.

Well, I can tell you that for me, that's bull pucky. First thing in the morning, my mind is not only clear, it's void. It's empty. There is nothing to clear, because no neurons are firing! Later in the day, it's really great--it clears out the clutter and dust bunnies that have accumulated all day. But in the morning, it's like sweeping a floor that's already been waxed and buffed. It takes just as much energy, but it doesn't have the effect.

Plus, my body complained! Oh, the moaning of knees, ankles, spine, and shoulders! Oh, the groaning of hips, thighs, calves, and feet! By the time I was done, my mind was filled--with cries for mercy! I don't think that counts as "playing" T'ai Chi.

Yesterday was the last day. The convention ended at 5 pm. With grateful relief, I did my practice at 6 pm. Ah, clearing away the mind clutter was so satisfying! And today, I was back at home, in my back yard, as it was getting dark. There's something soothing to me about doing T'ai Chi as the sun goes to bed. It's like I can put my cares to bed too.