Enthusiastic new teacher writes to Ed Altman about successful start

Dear Ed,

I have wanted to write for a long time, however, here I am at last to tell you about my experience of T’ai Chi Chih since our time in St. Paul.

The day after arriving home I was interviewed by our local paper for a story and picture of T’ai Chi Chih which brought over 30 calls in less than a day. I had advertised a class for the end of June at our retreat where I could accommodate only 11 students.

Though my first class went very well, I learned how important it was to continue not only my practise but also to incorporate the fine points learned at the accreditation. From the many questions of the students and from the difficulty they had in learning some of the moves I knew I had to study the “anatomy”, so to say, of each move very carefully so as to present the moves with greater clarity. All of this has greatly improved my own practise. Now I find myself observing my own moves with a much keener eye. This is something I began learning at the accreditation as well.

Because of the demand, I taught a second class of 12 students during July at a nearby resort. Several tourists joined the class as well, some from areas where there are no teachers in Canada so I put them in touch with teachers in nearby states.

I have since taught 4 more classes some of which were rather small but all of which presented their own challenges in teaching. One woman has restricted movement in both arms, another was very rigid and physically unbalanced, some are in their 80’s and others are young working persons. The youngest student was 11 years old who came with her mother to classes.

Needless to say, I love teaching T’ai Chi Chih. So far I’ve had to do very little advertising and only one presentation – with another scheduled for late February to Citizens for Choice in Health Care.

I so enjoy receiving The Vital Force and look forward each time to reading other’s experiences. Your article and diagram of the rocker and stacked coins was particularly helpful to me as a teaching tool. Thanks.

Wishing you much good Chi always.

Sincerely,

– [Sr.] Viola Bens, ose