T’ai Chi Chih in Business

Many of us took the Teacher Training Class to be able to share T’ai Chi Chih because we could see that it is worthwhile and in many cases the greatest good that we can offer to anyone. For many of us that is where we stopped, except for teaching it in a class here and there or to a friend or two. Many of us are quiet individuals and therefore feel that when the time is right, individuals will seek us out to teach them. Well, the time is right, and those very individuals that we know will find us are looking for us Right Now. The problem is they don’t know where to find us; many times they don’t know that the name of what they are looking for is T’ai Chi Chih, and if they do, there is no teacher in their area. One way to help them find us is to make ourselves more accessible through classes, seminars and demonstrations at their own business site.

Many corporations are becoming keenly aware of the need for exercise and stress reduction classes, in order to cut down on absenteeism and medical health benefits costs. Recently I saw a report on the MacNeil/Lehrer Nightly Report that showed that the Johnson & Johnson Company’s medical insurance payments had gone down 35% because of the health and fitness programs they offer their employees. Anytime you can help a company save money, they want to meet you and find out about your program. This brings us to contacting businesses.

After a weekend retreat where I taught T’ai Chi Chih as part of the program, I spoke to one of the participants, who is the head of 15 companies in various parts of the country. My inquiry was prompted by his comment on how much he was enjoying the T’ai Chi. I said, “Since you think it is so good, you will have to share it with your company presidents.” As it turned out a group meeting of his presidents would be taking place the following week. On returning to his headquarters and checking with his executive officers he called and asked me if I was free to teach at their meeting in Arizona, at the beautiful Biltmore Hotel. After making the financial arrangements I took a plane to Phoenix two days later. My part of the program was to introduce them to T’ai Chi Chih and its benefits in a 12-minute presentation, then to teach it for the next three days for one hour each day at the end of the business meetings.

T’ai Chi Chih was not mandatory but everyone was encouraged to attend. The president even bought books for each executive. I also had video tapes and the audio tapes available.

All expenses and my fee were paid by the company. I was invited to attend all their socials so that the people would have a chance to ask me any questions they might have about T’ai Chi Chih. They were very receptive and many of them were honest in saying that they had never heard of T’ai Chi Chih, but that they liked it and would even consider trying to find a course at home.

After the conference, the holding company sent a questionnaire to each president. Three of them enjoyed it enough to consider having it for their company employees, and the rest enjoyed it for themselves.

This is just one example of how to start with corporations. I would be interested in hearing about the work any of the rest of you have been doing along the same lines. I’m sure everyone reading Vital Force would also.

As I have begun to open my mind to this way of sharing, many ideas and helpful information have been coming my way. My vision of T’ai Chi Chih is really unlimited. If business corporations are not your way, consider hospitals, health spas, retreats, conferences, conventions, State employee meetings, business luncheons, churches and universities. The list is as long as the possibilities of your imagination.

The real show of our love for T’ai Chi Chih is how open we are to sharing it. As you can see it can be a very enjoyable process.

Enjoy & Share the Chi!

– Carmen Brocklehurst
Albuquerque, NM