“Living the Tao — Cultivating
Balance and Inner Strength”

"The last lesson, Xiao Lai," says the Master. "Let the animals loose. Start with the position. The rooster."

I step my left leg forward, bend my knees, and align my arms like half-moons in front of and behind my torso. My little fingers point outward. My navel is turned forty-five degrees. Nose forward. I imagine myself hanging on a string. "Fangsong, relax," says the Master. "Connect with the dantian."

My failed mission haunts me. An hour ago, I stood in front of the closed door of the aquarium shop. I didn't have time to look for an alternative. Fortunately, the Master didn't expect a parting gift.

"With your yi, focus!" says the Master.

I compose myself. The rooster appears: proud, powerful legs, wings spread.

The vibrations grow stronger, my body shakes, my breathing too. "The positions of the Ten Great Forms

get quite a bit going," laughs the Master. "Today I'll teach you how to turn off the tap.

After a few tries, I managed to control the movement.

"Put this in your imaginary backpack, which you'll carry everywhere like a snail's shell," says the Master. "You can expect wild situations in China. You must be able to calm everything down." Try the same with the eagle."

I raise one arm high above my head, the other low in front of my supporting leg. But I don't feel like an eagle yet. A heron flashes through my mind. It lands next to the pond and prods a fish from it. The master was concerned with his dwindling fish stock during a past session.

"Youg yi, the intention must be there," I hear the Master say.

Dr. Leslie de Vries (Belgium)