And Her Snowbird Students

When I asked our class what they felt about T’ai Chi Chih, it turned out to be a very worthwhile exercise, and students began building on what others were saying. I intend on doing this exercise at each of my classes from now on.

Marty Piper from Michigan related that the arthritis in her hands is very bad, but since learning TCC, she is taking less pain medication. … Terry Mamer of Saskatchewan, who has a fear of flying, has flown since taking TCC, and the stress was lessened because she visualized TCC movements during the flight. … Susan Baron of Alberta has visualized doing TCC in order to fall asleep. She has yet to get past Around the Platter. Susan was also astonished to learn about the active TCC community in Edmonton. … Marilyn Pence of Ohio feels her balance has improved immensely. The idea of not falling into the movements or falling out of them has helped in other areas of her life – like doing things purposefully.

Stevie Duval d’Adrian is much more sure footed when she gets on her bike. She now plants her foot, grounding it into the earth, and can mount her bike with grace. … Penny Smith of Oregon liked the idea of pushing away the negative and pulling in the positive in Push Pull. It brought meaning to the movement for her. … Peni Campbell of British Columbia has learned to let go more. Family situations that would have brought tears are now more manageable. … Moving through heavy air allowed Phyllis Anderson to slow down and brought her back into the moment.

We had a great discussion about the effects of Pulling in the Energy. By consciously visualizing pulling in the energy from the most distant star through our fingertips, one lady’s fingertips tingled and another had a real feeling of energy around her body. One woman woke up in the morning to her right hand tingling. And because we are practicing outside by the pool, participants felt closer to nature. A hummingbird joined us this morning and it brought true delight, brought a new dimension into play. We all seem to be more in the moment. A couple of ladies said, “Before we know it, we’re on Perpetual Motion and time just seems to flow.”

The women who purchased a DVD said they were glad not to have an excuse not to practice at home. This prompted two more ladies to purchase a DVD. There was general agreement about a greater appreciation of life and a renewed sense of our selves. I said I’d have them in my thoughts during the summer when I practice TCC on my deck in Saskatchewan, and I expected to feel their energy when they practice. They seemed quite excited about that prospect.