Now Is The Time

Two hundred people try T’ai Chi Chih at a conference breakout session. They each tell two people about their experience. Each of those 400 people pass on to two other people what they heard about TCC. In just three exchanges 1,400 people learn about TCC. Linda Braga presented TCC at a conference to approximately 200 participants at a six-thousand-person conference. Information about TCC and Linda’s presentation was listed in the conference brochure. How many people learned about TCC that weekend, whether by word of mouth, reading about it or trying it at the presentation?

The vast majority of people who become TCC teachers do so because they have received personal enrichment from the practice and want to share the benefits and joy with others. A person does not have to teach several classes a week to consider themselves a teacher. I know many teachers who have full time jobs and teach one class a week. They are doing what they enjoy and being of service to others. And through teaching, they continue their own learning.

There are multitudes of ways to bring the practice to others. Many teachers have peripheral interests where TCC can be introduced and shared, such as Linda did at the conference she attended. When you practice on the weekend why not practice in a park and invite other students and teachers to join you? Have informational flyers nearby. Even if you don’t have classes, list other teachers in the area who do. You are going to practice anyway; why not share your practice in a public place and plant seeds of interest. When friends show an interest, gather them together for coffee or tea and an informal demonstration. Have them try it with you. If you are not teaching at the moment, give them names of area teachers who are.

There are TCC students who love the practice and would like to be a teacher but feel they are too busy and do not have time. I have had several students over the years that say they want to be a teacher when they retire. What rich experiences are they missing out on now, and how many people are not receiving the benefits of TCC while they wait until they retire to become a teacher? Teaching does not have to be a full time experience. Keep it simple, one class at a time, one presentation at a time, one friend at a time. Don’t wait until you think you will have time to be a teacher. The time is now.

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