Trusting the Wisdom of My Heart

Barbara Peller, Northfield, IL

A year ago March, I was asked to give two back-to-back TCC demonstrations to two groups comprised of fifty 7th graders each, at a public junior high school. The teachers were planning a variety of presentations to help the children see how certain core beliefs can influence many diverse aspects of a culture, in this case the Chinese culture.

I accepted and then realized that having neither experience teaching children, nor any children of my own, I’d better ask some friends for some guidelines. The comments I received were full of ominous sounding phrases, like: “This is the WORST age group to teach,” and “Don’t you know, 7th graders are walking hormones!” One TCC student of mine, who has taught children for over 16 years, insisted on accompanying me for support and guidance.

When I was asked in advance about the room arrangements, I requested three rows of chairs set up in a semicircular pattern with lots of space up front for everyone to join in the movements. The teacher, who was coordinating the program, was not very reassuring, and suggested that kids that age tend to be very shy about getting up in from of a large group and doing something new.

Somehow all these warnings did not worry me, and the children turned out to be lively and responsive, and a joy to teach. Almost all of them wound up in the front of the room participating in the TCC movements; while the rest stood and moved in front of their chairs, or did the movements seated; even the teachers stood in the back and moved along with us.

I was very pleased to be asked back for a repeat performance this year. The format that evolved was based on feeling the rising or falling energy of the children and redirecting it. As the room filled up with kids at 1:30, the high energy led me to quickly have them up and learning the movements to a tape of relaxing music; as they toned down, I had them sit, and I guided them in experimenting with feeling the chi between their hands, and sending their attention to the soles of their feet; after sharing their experiences feeling the chi, I asked them to stand up again and join in more movements; then I directed them back to their chairs, and we closed by sharing some information, questions and comments.

I’d like to close with a quote from a thank you note I received from the program coordinator, because it shows how these demonstrations reached the teachers, as well as their students: “I wanted to let you know how impressed the teachers were with your presentation. I received quite a few positive comments regarding how soothing your presence was and that by the end of the hour they felt calmer and more relaxed. You did a great job enhancing the teaching we are doing in class. There was a lot of discussion after your demonstration and many questions regarding T’ai Chi.”

I am grateful for having the willingness to open to the possibilities that are offered me; for it is just such journeys into the unknown that give me practice in trusting the wisdom of my heart.