Skin Puppet

by Jeffery Craig

  The session started off innocuously enough.

  “Before we get started, I feel it would be appropriate to give you each some background on the types of meditation practiced and taught by my family for many generations. Jon is, of course, familiar with this form, and was once sitting as you are now, prepared to learn these humble techniques.” Zhou Li glanced it each of them to make sure she had their full, respectful attention and then continued. “There are many forms of meditative practices and as many corresponding forms of instruction. In the history of my family, we have traditionally focused on exercises which make up the practice of Qigong. In today’s term, this is sometimes referred to as chi, but is more correctly referred to as qi.” Zhou enunciated each of the words carefully, allowing them each to hear the subtle differences in pronunciation. “Qi means ‘life energy’ and the understanding of this force is essential to both practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine and to those who follow a more physical path. The exercises you will begin learning today help to recognize and regulate that life energy.”

  “Madame Zhou?” Toby asked, with his right hand raised slightly. When she graciously acknowledged his interruption, he continued, “Dis all sownds kind of mwystical or something. How is dis going to hewp us?”

  Zhou Li gave him an approving nod. “That is a very good question, Toby. As you surmise, there are forms of this practice that are, indeed, viewed as mystical in nature, and have been formulated over thousands of years to bring mankind closer to enlightenment. Indeed, the ability to understand and harness the energy around us is one of the key foundations of certain types of Chinese Buddhist meditation. Although I have only the utmost respect for the Buddhists and the path they follow, we will be focusing on techniques which make up the Daoist philosophy and practice.”

  “Ummm…okway. It awll sownds kind of involwved, dough. I mean, we’re just twying to leawn how to pwotect ouwselves bettew. Wight?”

  Zhou Li smiled and gave a delighted clap of her hands. “Exactly, Toby! And so, you shall.”

  Melba shifted slightly, trying to escape one of the razor-thin bamboo slats trying to dig its way into her hindquarters, but froze when Zhou’s gimlet gaze speared her in place.

  “Are you experiencing difficulty, dear?”

  Melba felt her cheeks flush, but couldn’t put her finger on the reason. It wasn’t like she was interrupting or anything. “Not exactly, Madame Zhou. I just can’t seem to find a comfortable position on this mat.”

  Zhou gave her the benefit of a small smile. “We just have a few minutes more in this position, and then we will be moving on to something else. Do think you can manage until then?”

  Melba wiggled again, then caught a glimpse of something suspicious lurking behind Zhou’s eyes. There was a hint of challenge in the woman’s seemingly innocent question. She flicked her eyes to Toby and received nothing, but a blank look and a small shrug in return. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jon cover his mouth with one hand, trying to hide a grin. Lindsi just rolled her eyes.

  “What the heck is going on?” Melba wondered. “Yeah, I’ll be fine,” she finally replied, wondering if the sarcasm behind the words was audible. “Thanks for asking, though.” Melba closed her eyes and forced herself to relax, longing for the minute this class was over so she could throw the damned poor excuse for a yoga mat into the nearest dumpster.

  “Excellent. Now that we are all settled again,” Zhou shot another glance her way before continuing, “I will ask Jon to walk us through the different branches of our study before we get on with the more active exercises I have planned for this morning. Jon?”

  Jon directed a small bow in his Aunt’s direction. “Certainly, Auntie.” He adjusted his own position slightly so his right hand rested on his knee, palm open. “There are five primary schools of practice we will focus on over the next several months. All of them are designed to focus circulation, mindfulness, contemplation, and visualization.”

  “Several months?” Melba blurted out the question in surprise. Jon directed a stern, disapproving gaze her way. “I’m sorry for the question, but I thought I just heard you say we’re going to spend the next several months meditating.”

  “Indeed, you heard me correctly. And there is no need to apologize for an honest question, although it is customary to wait until the instructor has finished his or her thoughts before interrupting.”

  Melba struggled not to shift position. “Sorry.” Sometimes, Jon was as touchy as his Aunt Zhou.

  “Please continue, Jon,” Zhou Li suggested sweetly. “I am sure we will all allow you to finish before we raise any more questions.”

  It was all Melba could do to suppress a snort at the thinly veiled barb.

  Jon spent the next fifteen minutes explaining the different schools of meditation they would explore over the next several months. In spite of herself, Melba was intrigued, which helped take her mind off the bamboo jabbing her in the rear. Lindsi hung on Jon’s every word.

  In short order, they learned about breathing exercises designed to help a practitioner develop strength and flexibility in the muscles and tendons while balancing and revitalizing the mind, body, and spirit. Jon spent considerable time explaining a set of exercises to help relax the blood vessels, nerves, and muscles in order to help with faster recovery from injury. Apparently, side benefits of mastering this discipline came with an improved ability to hit harder and faster, and a new awareness of where the body was at any given moment in the realms of time and space. Melba had to suppress another snort, but might be judging too quickly. Walloping a bad guy before he knew what hit him and then healing yourself faster probably outweighed any other considerations.

  Jon turned the next section over to his Aunt and she explained, at great length, about the practice known as Neidan, or “internal alchemy.” This practice focused on the body and spirit and was intended to balance the yin and yang within an individual.

  “My father employed many aspects of this practice successfully in his treatment of many diseases, and I myself use some of the principles in the formulation of my teas,” Zhou assured them. Melba found herself wondering if there might be something to all of this; a special blend of Zhou’s tea had helped remarkably with her own menopausal symptoms, and in fact, she’d never felt better.

  After her expert discourse, Jon walked them through the “great ultimate fist” exercise, assuring them that concentrating on the prescribed movements themselves would help improve mental clarity and focus. Melba was all for mental clarity.

  Lindsi cleared her throat and timidly raised one hand.

  “Yes, Lindsi. Do you have a question?”

  Melba bristled a little at his gentle tone and wondered for a minute why he didn’t pounce on the interruption. “Oh right,” she remembered, “Lindsi waited to be called on like a nice, respectful student instead of just blurting out her question. I bet she turns into teacher’s pet.” Melba gave a small shake of her head. “Snarky much, Reightman? What the heck has gotten into you this morning?”

  “Yes, sir, I do,” Lindsi stammered out slowly. “This sounds like something I read about. Isn’t it kind of like Tai Chi?”

  Melba caught the quick look between Jon and his Aunt and settled back to see where this was going.

  After a moment of silent consideration, Jon grinned. “That’s absolutely correct, Lindsi. It is, indeed, Tai Chi. I was about to share with everyone that they are one and the same, but you figured it out before I had a chance.” He gave the girl a tiny, solemn bow. “Well done.”

  To Melba’s surprise, the normally bored and slightly belligerent Lindsi returned the bow perfectly. “Yep…teacher’s pet for sure…”

  Toby raised his hand and waited until Zhou Li directed a nod his way. “Madame Zhou, Jon said dere are five fowms. I mighth be wong, but I tink we’ve onwy learned abou’ four.”

  “There are indeed five forms. However, I have found that explaining the fifth form goes more smoothly if it is done in tandem with the a
ctual practice of the discipline. Jon, if you would lend me your arm, we can get started.”

  Jon offered his arm, and Zhou stood gracefully from her mat. “Well, what are you waiting for? Up, up ,up!” she directed, punctuating her demand with several sharp claps of her hands.

  Melba quickly complied, taking the opportunity to surreptitiously rub that portion of her anatomy which had been subjected to cruel and unusual bamboo torture for the last half hour. She looked up and caught Zhou Li staring her way.

  “Is there something wrong, dear?”

  “Nope. Not a thing, Madame Zhou. I’m just happy to be off that mat.”

  “I understand, and I think you will find the next portion of the class rather instructive.”

  After everyone scrambled to their feet, Zhou Li offered a brief explanation. “The fifth and final discipline we will explore this morning is one of my particular favorites. To begin, I would like each of you to find a comfortable and natural standing position. Keep your spine aligned with your hips, shoulders, and head, but don’t try to assume a rigid position at this point.”

  Once everyone was in position, the old woman continued, “Now, I would like each of you to focus on your breathing. I will give you a count. You should inhale in a controlled manner on my first count of four, and then exhale—in an equally controlled manner—on my next count of four. Repeat the process and focus on making your breath flow evenly. I may make some small adjustment to your individual poses in order to facilitate the exercise. Does everyone understand?”

  After all agreed they did, Zhou Li started her count. “Inhale. One. Two. Three. Four. Exhale. One. Two. Three. Four. Inhale. One…” She slowly worked her way to each individual and made slight modifications to their stance, all the while continuing to count out the slow, steady tempo. Melba thought they all looked like statues in a museum, and after Zhou passed her by, some imp of the perverse put it into her head to lift her right arm out from her side—just to add a little variety to the tableau. Zhou Li turned and simply observed for a moment, then smiled. She finished her rounds and then stopped the count. “Maintain your stance, please. In a moment, I will resume the count. I want you each to focus on your breathing as you did before. While doing so, I want you to maintain your position and to focus on holding it perfectly—without any shifts or movements. Concentrate on that, along with your breathing.”

  Melba rolled her eyes at the simplicity of it all, and found Zhou Li’s eyes on focused on her. “Busted…” she thought in dismay.

  “Did you have a question, dear?”

  Melba nervously cleared her throat. “Oh well…in for a penny and in for a pound…” It took every bit of control she had to not shrug her shoulders, but she darned sure wasn’t going to give the miniature drill instructor the satisfaction breaking her pose would bring. “I just want to make sure I understand. We’re supposed to just breathe while we stand here like a post?”

  “Yes. You understand perfectly.”

  “For how long?”

  Zhou Li smiled in delight. “Why, for as long as you can.” She paused for a moment and then wrinkled her brow. “Oh dear! I think I left out some important information. Your characterization of this exercise just reminded me. You see, this is sometimes known as ‘breathing like a post.’ The goal is to maintain and control your breathing while perfectly holding a single pose…for as long as you possibly can.” Zhou Li looked pointedly at Melba’s upraised arm.

  Melba groaned —inwardly. Now, she couldn’t lower her arm without conceding defeat. She settled for calmly meeting the old lady’s eyes while suppressing a sigh.

  Zhou gave her a tiny nod of acknowledgement. “The best practitioners are able to hold a pose for up to two hours,” she informed her class. “However, that is an amazing feat of self-control. Today, simply hold it as long as possible.” She gave Melba a tiny, evil smile. “I would be very surprised if any of you were able to maintain your position much past ten minutes at this early stage. When you are no longer able to maintain you position, simply sit down again until everyone has completed the exercise.”

  With that, she resumed her count.

  Lindsi was the first to take a seat, folding her legs underneath her and watching the other members of the class. Melba noticed the girl’s eyes shifted toward Jon more often than not. “Teacher’s pet might have the beginning of a big ‘ol crush…” Toby was next, although he lasted considerably longer. By the time he took his seat, Melba could feel a small droplet of water gathering on the bridge of her nose.

  “This is harder than it looks,” she finally admitted. “And, oh-by-the way, Reightman, whatever made you think it was a good idea to stick out your arm?” She shifted her eyes to Jon, wondering how long he’d be able to hold out. “Probably forever. He’s been doing this stuff for a long time.” The bead of moisture slid a few millimeters further down her nose. “You know, Melba, there’s no shame in quitting, especially since everyone except Jon has their ass on the ground.” She almost convinced herself to give up, but caught sight of the bossy little lady standing slightly to her left. “I don’t know why she’s picking on me this morning…but…there’s…no…way…I’m…calling…it quits…just yet. I can last a few minutes more.”

  The water slid a fraction of an inch further down her nose, and then, suddenly picked up speed. “Good riddance,” she thought as it reached the tip and then just…hung there. “Go on…drop!” she silently urged the damned thing.

  “Exhale. One. Two. Three. Four.” Zhou kept up her relentless count.

  Melba glanced at Jon, hoping she’d see some sign he was in distress. “No luck there.” Her shoulder muscles were burning now, and it was taking every ounce of reserve she had to keep from trembling. She focused her eyes down the length of her nose at the drop of water and could see it still just sitting there. One tiny, unnoticeable bob of her noggin’ is all it would take. Her neck was really tense, and she knew she’d regret her pride later. She focused on her breathing…and that blasted bead of water.

  “Inhale. One…Two…Three…” The count went on forever.

  Zhou Li move directly in front of her, and Melba redirected her gaze until she met the woman’s eyes.

  “Four…Exhale…One…Two…”

  Melba had expected to find anticipatory satisfaction gleaming out from behind the black framed glasses. Instead, she saw what might be worry…and sadness. Or maybe, disappointment. All she knew for sure was her arm and shoulder were now hurting like an SOB. “You never know when to give up, Melba,” she reluctantly admitted to herself. “You don’t have anything to prove with this foolish display of hard-headedness—to them or to yourself.” She inhaled on the count, and focused on her breath. When Zhou Li reached four, Melba lowered her right arm, reached up with her left hand and flicked the water off her nose before lowering herself gratefully to the floor. Zhou Li gave her a single nod of approval and finished up her last count.

  Jon Chiang finally exhaled and rolled his shoulders. “Well, Auntie Zhou, what do you think?” he asked as he took his seat on the floor.

  Zhou Li made a slow circuit around the group, looking at each of them as they sat on the floor. She made her way to the space next to her nephew, and using his broad shoulder for support, carefully lowered herself to the ground.

  “I think each of us learned something new today, Jon. I would like to hear what everyone thinks about this morning’s exercise. Toby, would you start?”

  “Wewl, the main thwing I leawrned is this is awl a lot hawrder than it sounded when you fiwst explained it to us. I can’t bewieve anyone can hold a pose for two whole houws. I don’t tink I wasted more than a couplwe of minutes.”

  “Toby, you did very well. By my estimation, you held out for more than six minutes, which is remarkable, given this was your first attempt. Let me ask you though—why did you ultimately give up?”

  “Because all I could focus on was how much I wanted to move. It just built and built until I just had to.”

  “
And what did you learn this morning?”

  “Well, I learned I could focus on each and every muscle—at least, for a while. I also learned if I kept my mind on the breathing part, it was easier to keep everything else under control.”

  “Thank you. Lindsi, would you share what you learned?”

  “Well…I learned I have a lot to learn and a lot of work to do. It was kind of cool though. I just wish I had done a better job and lasted longer.”

  “I think you did a very good job, Lindsi. If I am not mistaken, this was your first time doing anything at all like this. Am I correct in my assumption?”

  “Yes, Madame Zhou, you are.”

  “Were you upset that you were the first to take your seat?”

  “Yeah, kind of. But after a while, I realized eventually everyone else would have to take a seat, too, and that made it okay.

  Melba tensed, knowing she was next. She was thrown off balance when, after a moment’s consideration, Zhou directed the next inquiry to Jon.

  “Jon, this must have seemed very basic to you. Did you learn anything new today?”

  “Yes, Auntie. Today, I discovered I’m out of practice and need to focus on some of the simpler things. I have spent too much time focused outwardly, which is why I asked you to lead the session. I also learned much from my fellow students. For example, I learned that young Lindsi is very brave.”

  “Me?” the young woman practically squeaked.

  “Yes. It takes courage to be the first to admit a task is beyond one’s current capabilities. You not only admitted it was time to stop, but you also realized there’d come a time when all of us would be joining you on the floor. That’s not only brave, but is also somewhat wise.” Jon angled his body toward Toby and continued. “I learned Toby has come further along this path than I’d realized. I’m pleased at your progress. If you continue to expand your awareness and your ability to focus, I trust there will be fewer busted lips during training…at least for a day or two…if you remember to…”