News from Folsom State Prison in CA

June 6, 2000

Dear Jean;

Thank you so very much again for all that you are doing for our group here in Old Folsom Prison. I have received the damaged books from the Bookpeople of Oakland, CA and the Bookmen Inc. of Minneapolis, MN. I believe Dr. Shrum is reviewing the new Justin Video. I will check with him. I am very anxious to see exactly how Justin is now doing the TCC movements and the most useful examples of the four teachers you mentioned. As I hear from various teachers returning from conferences and meetings, it seems that there are some subtle changes going on in the movements. The video should be a great help as it is the latest information. It is very important to me and the men learning the form that we do it correctly. I have been informed that Ed Altman is going to come to Folsom on the 22nd of this month. We are all looking forward to his visit. Although the men learn from three accredited TCC teachers, they still consider it a great privilege to meet and talk to Ed, the appointed head of T’ai Chi Chih.

The books have been a great help. Justin has a unique way of knowing what a student’s next questions will be, and answering those questions in an easy, logical, even historical manner. Many of the teachers and T’ai Chi practitioners that visit Folsom present other forms of Chi Kung and their interpretation of movements that will raise and store the chi. However, it is T’ai Chi Chih that the inmates continue to embrace. Much of this has to do with the form itself, however, I think an equal reason for their steadfastness is Justin’s writing in the books you have donated.

Thank you, Jean, for your continued support of the Old Folsom T’ai Chi Chih program.

– James K. Hecker
T’ai Chi Chih Teacher