Q&A with Senior TCC Teacher Margery Erickson

Hanover, PA | Accredited 1997

How did you learn originally about T’ai Chi Chih (TCC)? Why did you become accredited?

I used to go to a New Age retreat every summer. I saw people outside moving, and I thought, I’m going to do that sometime. It looked interesting. I finally signed up for the class. It was outside. I remember hiding behind a tree because I didn’t want anyone to see how I was moving. Eventually I thought, who cares? A year later I wanted to go deeper and decided the best way was to get accredited — not to teach, just for myself. That was the plan. 

I found my original teacher had moved from California and was just an hour from me. We arranged to meet once a month. After a year she was able to get eight of us together. Did I attend an intensive? Sharon Sirkis came the week before our class and shared everything she could remember from her accreditation that was my intensive. The accreditation was held in my home weaving studio. How cool is that?

At school they offered in-services for the support staff for credits, so I suggested a TCC class, and they said yes. When I checked to see if anyone had signed up, they said there were 60 people! We offered two big classes. The participants really liked it, but the administrators were concerned that if they allowed me to continue, someone would suggest a walking or bike riding class for credit. At that time, stress reduction and relaxation and moving meditation was not so readily accepted.

Share a first-person story about Justin.

It was at my second teacher conference (in Minnesota). We were in a big gymnasium, and all of a sudden, I saw Justin coming over while I was doing Daughter in the Valley. He started showing me how to do the movement, and I tried to do it. But he just shook his head and walked away. I have since learned that him giving any kind of attention was always a good sign.

Whenever we’re at a conference and other teachers offer suggestions, I need to take it home, digest it, and work on it.

How has teaching changed you?

TCC helped me stay in public education teaching special education for 30 years. I would do a short TCC practice for about 20 minutes each morning and then go off to school. I truly believe it helped, whether talking with parents or working with a difficult student. Another benefit was that it seemed negative people disappeared from my life and health issues were overcome more quickly.

How has your teaching changed over the years?

I’ve seen maturity in my own movements, and an increased awareness of how to help others using the right words or demonstration to get them moving better. I have been teaching ongoing classes which were challenging at first. Thanks to feedback from other teachers, I found ways to teach drop-in classes. Personally, beginning classes are my preference. Recently I noticed the students were really listening and asking questions. And I thought, “Wow, am I really saying something that important?” I love connecting with people through TCC.

We all learn from each other, at events and on the Internet, and all of that knowledge is now part of me. It takes time to gather and hold information, then be able to share it. Since I’m more comfortable in my own body than I was, it is easier to listen and help students feel welcome in class.

What lasting lesson(s) have you learned from these teachings?

It’s important to stay connected. I feel sad that some people, after accreditation, go off and they never connect again with anyone else in the community. To me, they are missing out on so many things. Over the years, I’ve learned to be in touch with what I am feeling in my own body, share this with others and ask students What is your intent, why are you here? I remind them, it’s that inner sincerity not just where you put your hands and feet.