Greetings from Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland, Canada

T’ai Chi Chih is alive and well in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada’s most easterly province. It continues to be both pleasure and privilege to share T’ai Chi Chih and to see it enJOYed here by so many from coast to coast.

Some days I think, “If only there were more of me here (more teachers, that is),” as interest expands and deepens and students experience its wonder for themselves. That, too, will come with time and when the time is right. A handful of students – east, central and west – have expressed an interest in pursuing teacher training. I still dream of hosting an intensive here and maybe eventually a teacher accreditation! But travel abroad we shall, if we need to.

Meanwhile, last fall all of our T’ai Chi Chih community members here in Newfoundland were personally invited to celebrate Justin’s 90th birthday in some way in November, wherever we found ourselves. Some of us gathered to celebrate Justin at The Lantern, where I teach. After some decorating to catch the festive spirit, we began our full practice, followed by snacks and conversation and even a few prizes. We were so happy so many were able to be there. Joy indeed did abound!

Next year we hope to celebrate #91 and we hope even more can join us. So glad to hear Justin is going strong and looking forward to several more good years of T’ai Chi Chih.

It also continues to be both pleasure and privilege to be part of the worldwide T’ai Chi Chih community. My students (well over 500 by now) and I send renewed love and gratitude to Justin for the gift of T’ai Chi Chih, and also to students and teachers everywhere for helping it keep on going and growing, for it truly is a gift.

As Justin says, “T’ai Chi Chih is a service to humanity. It is a form of love.” And, I might suggest, a way of actively contributing to the even wider community of all creation, spreading joy, peace and love and so much more wherever we are and beyond.

Currently, a special weekend is being planned here for mid July to which I have invited teacher Dan Pienciak, who hosts many of the New Jersey area events. It is another way of supporting students in their practice as well as encouraging more serious students as would-be teachers. It is a golden opportunity for students here to experience another teacher besides me and to benefit from Dan’s giftedness and his love for T’ai Chi Chih. Do send us wonder-full energy as plans unfold. We’re open to guests who have their CFA (“Come From Away”)!

I’m looking forward to joining many of you at the New Jersey Conference in August.