Prayer has long been as much a part of Sister Corita Keane’s life as breathing in and out. But four years ago as a student of t’ai chi chih she discovered a spiritual discipline that brought more serenity to her prayers and energy to her life.

Sister Keane, a member of the Sisters of Mercy of Auburn, had just completed a year of teaching 35 second graders at St. Joseph School in Auburn. She was looking forward, after 30 years as an educator, to a spiritual sabbatical at the Franciscan Center in St. Paul, Minn.

When she started attending t’ai chi chih classes, which were included in the Franciscan Center’s curriculum, Sister Keane said that she had no idea where the experience would take her.

“From the beginning I just felt more energetic when I did t’ai chi chih. It kind of flowed into my day,” she said. “For me it was very calming, quieting the mind and spirit.”

Norma Jennings, right, leads members of a t’ai chi chih class at Divine Savior Parish in Orangevale. From left: Adelaide Smith, Helen Hopkins, Vera Perry and Mary Jo Verke. Nancy Westlund/Herald photo

T’ai chi chih, a Chinese phrase meaning “knowledge of the supreme ultimate,” consists of a series of 19 simple, gentle movements and one pose designed to calm the mind and relax the spirit. Its originator, Justin Stone, who has extensively studied spiritual disciplines in Japan, India and China, conducts t’ai chi chih seminars and workshops nationwide.

While t’ai chi chih has a universal appeal that embraces a variety of religions, Sister Keane found the classes she took as a student worked in harmony with her Catholic faith.

“I began to experience the ‘chi’ or life force. When I would do t’ai chi chih, I would think of the spirit moving through me and giving me divine, intrinsic energy,” she said.

She also finds performing the discipline’s movements help her move easily into other forms of meditation.

Upon completion of her sabbatical, Sister Keane decided to complete training in Sacramento to become an accredited t’ai chi chih teacher.

“I realized what t’ai chi chih was doing for me and wanted to share those benefits with others,” she said.

Among the benefits identified by people performing these non-aerobic movements are stress reduction, lowering of blood pressure, improved balance, and an integration of the mind, body and emotions.

Two keys to achieving these and other benefits, Sister Keane said, are that people are relaxed while doing the movements and that they practice regularly.

When Sister Keane taught a series of t’ai chi chih classes this summer at Holy Spirit convent in Sacramento, one of her students was Katie McAllister. McAllister, a member of St. Robert Parish in Sacramento, said that while she was totally unfamiliar with the discipline coming in, t’ai chi chih immediately made an impact on her life.

“I noticed a change in my breathing, which became deeper and more relaxed,” she said. “It was like breathing out everything you want to get rid of...and inviting the Holy Spirit to come in and refresh me.”

McAllister has found practicing t’ai chi chih early in the morning facing east as the sun rises a nice start to the day.

“For me, t’ai chi chih becomes a prayer,” she said.

Dominican Sister Paulina Hurtado, director of the permanent diaconate for the Sacramento Diocese, has also taken instruction in t’ai chi chih from Sister Keane.

“I find the gentleness of it intriguing,” she said. “It’s a time of quiet, a time to take your mind off of other things, to slow down and to be focused.”

Karen Kriske, a member of All Hallows Parish in Sacramento, said she signed up for the t’ai chi chih class at Holy Spirit seeking a disciplined meditation to deepen her prayer life.

“I center on the Trinity and really sense I have more energy after t’ai chi chih,” she said. “For me, it’s almost like a dance.”

Sister Keane is currently teaching a series of t’ai chi chih classes at Mercy Center in Auburn. The classes are being held on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. on selected weeks through February. For more information, call (530) 887-2019.

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