Exploring the Natural Way

Carolyn P. Shaw, Albuquerque, NM

I would like to tell about my first experience teaching T’ai Chi Chih since I broke my leg in December.

In the summer of 1993, I became aware of a program for seniors somewhat like the Elderhostel Program that is taught out of Durango, Colorado at Fort Lewis College. The name of the program is The Getaway Program and, as I thought I would like to go there and spend some time, I asked if there was a possibility of teaching T’ai Chi Chih. They sent me a request for a proposal and after breaking my leg in December, I signed my contract to teach TCC in June, I figured I would be OK by then.

Sure enough, I was OK and the first program in June 1994 featured T’ai Chi Chih, art, music, a course on Dickens, and a MacIntosh course. I taught TCC to a group of 19 of the most wonderful people you can imagine. One woman had to do the movements while seated in a chair. A man in the class had a lung problem and at first could only do the movements a few minutes at a time. Everyone had the option of sitting down if they felt they needed to.

Since we were in such a wonderful environment, our focus for discussion was nature and following the nature of our own bodies. Our goal, of course, was to put our own nature in tune with the greater expression. I had taken three translations of the Tao Te Ching and sometimes I read from those, asking the question, “Is there a ‘natural way’ for people to be together in society?” Of course, we never answered the question, but we did enjoy our togetherness both in the silence of TCC and in our discussions.

At the end of the two week class, we performed several movements for the entire Getaway group. It was a great hit at the final banquet. Remember the man with the lung infection? He performed with us and was laughing and enjoying himself along with everyone else. How wonderful it is to have the gift of T’ai Chi Chih to practice and to share. Thanks again, Justin.