Flowing Continues In The Land Of Icebergs

Intensive with Sandy in St. John’s, NL Canada;

Mar. 28-30, 2008 By Host Sheila Leonard

Awareness, awe, passion, amazement, blessing, and gratitude frame the experience of our intensive.The teaching,modeling, and dedication, along with the group spirit, made it go beyond all expectations.

The experience was certainly intensive but also profoundly transforming and potentially life-changing.One student spoke for many, feeling like the little tin soldierbeginning to feel and come to life.Other participant’s practiceswent from“watching from the outside, trying to get it just right”to “flowing from the inside” and sensing the feel of the particular movement. Others learned to focus anew on the soles of the feet and learned anew “sinking, shifting, and preparing” before moving.It was like seeing with new eyes. There was far less thinking and far more feeling.

“Aha” moments abounded, whether working in large or small group, partnering or sitting in a circle.Sandy’s presentation style was easy yet challenging as she helped us gently correct and refine our practices and teaching techniques. The intensive also gave us the tools and confidence to continually evaluate our practice, opening up new dimensions.

All expressed endless gratitude to Sandy and Dan (who was assisting), and to me as Hostess, with special gratitudereservedfor the sensitivity, insight, support, and humor of the other three teachers present.Participants came as serious students, aspiring teachers, and accredited teachers.All left more deeply aware, renewed, rededicated, and eager for another intensive. We imbibed more of the power and wisdom of TCC and affirmed intensives as invaluable for beginners and more advanced students. Consider being part of the next one as we keep the dream growing and the Chi flowing. Before leaving, Sandy said, “Thank you, Sheila, for your vision.” It’s a pleasure and a privilege.On behalf of all of us, I add, “Thank you, Justin, for your vision”.

Flowing From The Center With Joy

Retreats with Antonia in Santa Barbara, CA;

Feb. 12-15 & Feb. 19-22, 2008 Compiled by Pam Towne, Host

I received the challenge to go even more deeply. The labyrinth at Mt Calvary was so rugged and so grounded. This is what my TCC practice felt like. –Nancy Jo Bleier, Sitka, AK

As I walked down the hallway of the monastery in the hills above Santa Barbara, I stopped in my tracks, watching a solitary figure move effortlessly through Working the Pulley with the ocean as his backdrop. Thank you, Antonia and Pam, for the delightful time we shared.

 –Robin Spencer, Phoenix, AZ

I am very grateful for these times to connect, practice, and learn with each other. I came away with new thoughts and insights about many movements. That energizes my practice. – Diana Wright, Fountain Valley, CA

Antonia had used the word powerful a number of times, alluding to inner changes affecting our perspectives and feelings about personal challenges and the practice of daily living. Perhaps it is about simply refusing to allow disturbance to be a disturbance and to control the negative influences that can affect us. – Anon.

It was the atmosphere of total acceptance that pervaded our personal encounters. We are so deeply gratified by the TCC experience and where it has led us to this point. – Rosemarie & Al Taylor, Santa Ana, CA 

Reflections on Santa Barbara

By Anne Lovdahl, Seal Beach, CA

Justin Stone has written in Spiritual Odyssey, “Nothing is in a state of Being; everything is in a state of Becoming (from one point of view). T’ai Chi Chih can greatly influence that path of Becoming.”

The “state of Becoming” is seen all around and inside of us. In nature, plants continue to grow, bloom, die, and regenerate. Within our bodies, our breath moves in and out with our chest expanding and contracting (yinning and yanning), fortifying and enhancing our blood which circulates, exchanging nutrients with our cells which embark on their journeys of cell division and growth while they take up their unique rolls in the orchestra of our physiology. Not just maintaining but regenerating, “Becoming.”

Our brain and spinal fluid continually send and receive electro-chemical messages to and from the far reaches of our bodies, enabling movement, expanding our knowledge, allowing our “Becoming.”

Our life energy, our Chi, is the very force that animates us and makes the miracle of “Becoming” possible. The Chi, in its constant yinning and yanning, expanding and contracting, is in search of balance. This search, this journey of revitalization, this “Balance Becoming” is endless, just as circularity itself is endless, a ring without beginning or end.

The practice of T’ai Chi Chih is our guide, leading us along our journey of continual balancing, renewal and endless Becoming.