TCC & Me

For some reason I have always wanted to try T’ai Chi. Then through a series of synchronistic events, T’ai Chi Chih was dropped right in front of me. And I felt I had to take the classes, even though they were 45 minutes from my home. I was not even sure exactly what TCC was. It just had the words T’ai Chi in it. That was a little over 18 monhts ago. I have since practiced TCC in various locations – different states, at the ocean, overlooking mountains in Italy, even in my pool.

I have been an avid fitness fanatic my entire adult life. So when I first started doing the TCC movements, they were hard-edged, stiff and athletic-like. My body tried to use the movements as a form of exercise. It took many, many months of daily practice to allow myself to relax and soften. With the help of my wonderful TCC instructor, I have been able to tone down and refine my movements even more. I learned that the goal is not to burn calories but to relax, let go and meditate. It’s a moving meditation – perfect for a body full of energy that likes to be active. TCC offers a soft, peaceful, flowing, meditative action, and one that permeates all areas of my life.

I could not understand “feeling the energy” for quite sometime. Only after over a year of practice am I beginning to feel sensations. And it’s awesome. It began with Daughter in the Valley and has recently has broadened to other movements. I now really look forward to my daily TCC sessions to see if I feel anything.

As a public school teacher for 20 years I’ve had, and continue to have, my share of stress and anxiety. TCC has definitely helped me be calmer, more relaxed, more at peace within myself. My daily TCC practices seem to move between extremes. I go from daily sessions to hardly ever doing it, to doing it several times a week. Sometimes I dread it and it seems to be a chore, another thing to add to my day. Presently, I eagerly look forward to it. It may be just an abbreviated session, but that’s better then none, and I feel the benefits of it – even in small increments. Regardless of how it happens, I am happy to have TCC in my life. It has allowed me to meet wonderful people, learn to relax more and be gentle with myself. I hope one day to become a TCC teacher myself so I can share it’s peacefulness with others. Thank you TCC.