Chi for Albuquerque

In October 1989, I taught an 8-week class for the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was wonderful to be able to share with such a large business. The way this came about was that two years ago while doing a T’ai Chi Chih demonstration, I met the Director of Health & Wellness activities for the City of Albuquerque. She had an immediate response of relaxation and calm and was interested in knowing more about it. We made an appointment and talked about the possibility of a class for the city employees. After discussing it with her superiors and finding that all monies had already been allocated for other programs, we worked out a special program at a ‘One Time Only’ very special, very low price. It was a success! The people that came were from all departments and from every level of the business, from managers to janitors. The director was delighted because the class was full (20 people), there was continuous, full attendance and everyone sang the praises of the class. One of the people even became a T’ai Chi Chih teacher later.

After the class finished, another was not offered by the department, even though there were several requests. There was no available funding. However, this past year, I met the Director at another presentation and again talked to her about a class for the city. This time she told me that they were just getting ready to prepare the budget and to call her at the office. Within a week we had a class set up, for the same amount of money I would be paid if I set up the class privately. All promotion and space arrangements were made by the city. They were pleased when 30 people signed up for the class. It was great; they even invited me to come in and do special presentations at meetings for department heads which was wonderful exposure for T’ai Chi Chih.

Some of the people who attended the class were in a special disability program. Even though several came on crutches, and some with their arms in casts, there was no problem teaching them T’ai Chi Chih. One man in particular had a great response. We were in our sixth class when he came on crutches, for the first time. I showed him how he could do it sitting down and he went along with it. At the end of class I noticed that he had a big smile on his face. As I shook his hand good-bye, I asked if he had enjoyed it, and his smile got even bigger. He said, “When I came I didn’t think this would do anything for me, you know, it is different than they tell us in therapy. They tell us that it has to hurt before it gets better, and you tell us that in order to do it right we have to be soft and gentle. Well, when I came, my back was hurting real bad, as it has all morning, and now it doesn’t hurt any more. I will be back next week.” And he was, this time without crutches.

The supervisor of the program was very pleased and now wants to make T’ai Chi Chih a permanent part of the City’s Health & Wellness Program. I will let you know more as this unfolds. As the Director told me, “You know, T’ai Chi Chih is a PROVEN given, nothing strange about it. It just helps people’s bodies to feel better.”

The many seeds that we all have been sowing are beginning to sprout. Each time that one of us succeeds in introducing T’ai Chi Chih to new people, we ALL share in that success. I want to thank all the front line people who have been GRATEFUL enough to T’ai Chi Chih to be willing to blaze new paths for its unfoldment and sharing.

Share the Chi,

Love,

– Carmen Brocklehurst