In some ways, Sandra (not her real name) is typical of many of our students in that right from the start, she enjoyed the classes and loved doing the movements. However, like many, circumstances intervened which prevented continuous attendance. In Sandra's case, it was babies, work and study.

Sandra started her Tai Chi journey in the late 1980's, attending about six months of classes with a group at the university. In 1994, when she was doing a degree in ceramic art and working as well, she went along to one of our classes on the recommendation of a friend who had just begun. Sandra told me she had no specific reasons for taking it up again, other than enjoyment and exercise. She had no physical injuries or problems. She originally went along with her friend, because she had liked the whole concept of Tai Chi from her earlier experience. This time, she was hooked. She continued until mid 1997, when she took a break and then started again this year (2000).

During that time away from lessons, Sandra kept up her practice as much as possible. She calculated there was probably a period of about nine months after her second baby was born where she did no training. Keeping a practice routine going takes self discipline, even when attending class regularly, and Sandra seemed to manage pretty well on her own.

I asked Sandra what the main reasons were for coming back, and she said what many of our returning students say, "I noticed all sorts of little aches and pains that I hadn't had before. I'd had symptoms of something like glandular fever, swollen glands and my stress level had risen." Now she says she has noticed improvement already. She doesn't get sick much and if she does succumb, it doesn't last very long. Her emotional state is more balanced and she feels calmer and more able to see things clearly.

Sandra does shiftwork and her job involves heavy lifting. She is very conscious of using her legs and body correctly and attributes that awareness to her Tai Chi training.

Coming back to regular practice reinforced by classes, Sandra told me that she now feels she knows the form more thoroughly than before her enforced break. She understands it better now, having clarified the areas she had had trouble with practising alone. She is able to practise almost every day for at least twenty minutes

I gained the impression that Sandra is a dedicated Tai Chi practitioner who will endeavour to keep it going all her life. Through practice and experience, she has grasped the concept of achieving what she can when she can. She is learning to remain calm, to let it go when circumstances interrupt what she wants to do. Sandra knows that her Tai Chi will always be there. She seems to have come to terms with "going with the flow" and that is a valuable lesson to learn.

"Reaping the Benefits after Returning to Tai Chi was found at http://www.taichiacademy.com.au/magazine/interview7.htm