The Sound of Interlude

Thanks to a grant from an area funder in 2009, Interlude's clients have been given the opportunity to take part in lessons in Eastern healing practives Tai Chi and Qi Kong, along with meditation techniques, at the Dragon & Crane American-Chinese Cultural Center in Somers, NY. These lessons are meant to help clients develop greater physical and mental balance, stability, energy, and relaxation. The sessions have been open to any Interlude client who has an interest. Debbie, a client who has participated, wrote the following poem shortly after her 1st experience with Tai Chi.

How Tai Chi Classes are helping us
a poem by Debbie C.

When we arrive, we are already expecting that this is going to be good

We are early, which is fine with us, because we love just being here

The stones that are stacked, in what seems an impossible way, can keep our attention
for a long time

As we drive up the driveway, it’s like we are leaving behind earth
 and entering something, someplace, so totally different

Then the class starts

It is very interesting, as the teacher, our Sifu, explains different things
It is light, there is humor

Any anxiety slips away
As we do the exercises, time seems to stop, actually no, it is more like it doesn’t exist

I love that feeling
I enjoy trying to do better each time I go

By the time class ends, my spirits are soaring so very high
Before class today, I was feeling angry and depressed

Now, I leave feeling so good

On the ride home, all of us in the van spoke enthusiastically
about how we felt and the different impressions we had

We laugh a lot

We didn’t know each other very well, but on the way home everyone was talking