From Seated to Standing T’ai Chi Chih

I can’t begin to tell you how my heart sings every time I prepare to teach T’ai Chi Chih class. When I teach – I am also taught from the expressions and enthusiasm my students relay to me. To choose one class as a favorite is impossible for they are all dear and very special to me, but one does have the essence of T’ai Chi Chih that the other have not quite discovered yet – my physically challenged group. I have been with these gifted friends for over two years now. At the onset of our journey, I pictured my physically challenged class as lovely trees.

As the leaves were taught to move by the wind, they became much stronger and turned a lovely color but, as with everything in life, some were not as strong. These few let go, floated to the ground and became part of continuing life. I moved with the remaining students always filled with awe and joy as I watched their weekly progress.

Each week, when I asked, they assured me that they “had practiced daily” in their small rooms, holding on to their kitchen sink or the back of a chair they would do their favorite movements. By March 25, 1997, 14 of my 16 students STOOD UP and performed their TCC unaided!!

On this day, I presented each one of them a Beginner’s Basic Course (completed) T’ai Chi Chih Certificate.

I would like to give my sincere thanks to the originator of TCC, Master Justin Stone for giving me the tools to teach and to my dear, gentle, friend, Steve Ridley, my Accreditation Teacher, for giving me the courage, strength and his example to follow. Also, thanks to all those who have touched my life through TCC giving me the opportunity to continue touching the lives of others.