~Tai Chi as a way of life~

My husband and I have two 18 month old Miniature Australian Shepherds that love to shower us with lots of exuberant affection in the morning when we wake up. This particular morning I had just gotten up and had settled myself on the couch with a nice cup of coffee, when suddenly Cody (who is on the high end of ‘miniature’ at 40 lbs), came bounding in from outside after having been on a walk with Sam. She saw me and with happy excitement in her eyes, leapt toward me. (The ‘four on the floor’ training is not progressing as quickly as I had hoped.. ) With my coffee cup held in my right hand and my energy settled firmly into my lower dan tien, I instantly connected with her oncoming airborne energy, turned my waist and rolled back to the right, redirecting her trajectory so that she landed on the couch beside me.
Success!
Alas, more training is required in order to keep the coffee in the cup, as coffee ended up everywhere..
I may never have to use this particular maneuver again, but this is one clear example of the importance of practicing push hands, and how tai chi can be used in your everyday life.
😊
~Jill