Intensive Experience at Workshop

Workshop with Dan Pienciak in Ringwood, NJ; June 4-7, 2009

By Dan Pienciak, Howell, NJ

I had the opportunity to work with a small group of students and one teacher because there has been such strong interest among local students wanting to prepare for teacher accreditation that not everyone could be accommodated at a recent intensive. Although not officially an “intensive,” we did have a rather intense experience while refining movements and deepening our understanding of the T’ai Chi Chih form and how to move.

Getting participants to feel the movements from the center, with a loose waist, was a large part of our work. Also helpful: feeling the weight fully on the feet and experiencing the weight shifts almost as sand or water – first filling up one leg and then emptying into the other. Justin Stone frequently reminds us that we do TCC primarily with the waist and wrists (not with the shoulders, arms, and hands). Focusing on this important connection of the wrists flowing with the waist also helped us feel the unison of movement and continuity of flow. But the students also had their own thoughts:

“Learning to make a complete shift to allow the hands to move in a circle with no glitches was helpful.” … “We were guided in a safe, warm, and caring environment which encouraged our Chi to flow naturally and intuitively.” … “Initially, I enjoyed TCC because it felt good. As I learn more and allow TCC to become part of my life, it’s evident that this is a spiritual journey.” … “I knew that the new way of moving was working when I seemed to be walking with more freedom. My upper body felt lighter while my feet felt grounded.” … “The subtle nature of learning the art of TCC is so absorbing that the I dissolves in stillness for brief periods of time and in the movements, one experiences one’s essential nature. These joyous instances offer the promise of more bliss and carry me forward in the practice.” … “I focused on the pelvis in the forward-and-backward movements and swiveling the hips in the side-to-side movements. I can feel a release in my lower spine. This is great stuff.” … “Highlights included watching the KNME interviews with Justin Stone, receiving corrections, and perhaps the greatest of all: hearing the words, “Trust that your feet and legs will hold you up.”

At the conclusion of one practice, I had a new awareness of teaching and practicing: The discipline of TCC is a serious one; the experience of TCC is a blissful one.