T’ai Chi Chih Joy Thru Movement in Guatemala: A Dream Come True

Imagine this. Morning sunlight sparkles on a cobalt blue lake, and two volcanoes rise up on the far shore. Fluffy clouds drift around them, and a trail of smoke floats up from Fuego, recently active. Teachers and students are having T’ai Chi Chih practice on a helicopter pad at the edge of the shore. Acres of tropical flowers surround them and a gentle breeze wafts through the group. The only sound is the lapping of waves, and a bird’s song, chirping “Welcome to Lake Atitlan!”

This was my recent dream, and it came true. At teacher training in Albuquerque, November 2002, my presentation began with a visualization similar to the description above. In January 2003, I actually took a group of people to Panajachel, Guatemala, to Hotel Atitlan on Lake Atitlan to draw, paint and do T’ai Chi Chih Joy Thru Movement.

This vision had been in my mind since the summer of 2002. These thoughts helped me decide to initiate plans to become an accredited teacher. In the fall I sent my application, and started practicing with other San Antonio instructors to prepare for teacher training. Then in October, John Korte of Explore Guatemala called and invited me to lead a group of artists on a trip to Guatemala at the Hotel Atitlan. I was surprised and excited to have this opportunity. From prior experience traveling and teaching in Guatemala, the lake was definitely my favorite spot. I explained that I hoped to be accredited in TCC Joy Thru Movement soon, and would like to include that into the trip plans. He was enthusiastic, and the die was cast.

Thirteen people from Texas, California and Maryland signed up for the trip. Some were artists, others were dedicated shoppers, and seven of them were game to try T’ai Chi Chih practice at some point in the trip. Fortunately, Stella Jaidar decided to make the eight day trip. She is an accredited TCC teacher, and a fiber artist. We were on site each morning to instruct and lead the practice for those who would get up and be there by 7:30 a.m. Ulli Kalt, a San Antonio TCC student, was there almost every morning. Glenda Maynard, a brand new student, joined in and learned all 19 movements and one pose. The others were occasional attendees.

One unforgettable moment: we had just finished our first practice. A helicopter buzzed over the volcanoes, only to see us standing on the landing pad. We quickly scattered into the flower garden. The pilot landed on the spot where we had been only moments before. Five Japanese businessmen deplaned, finding nothing strange at all about what we were doing, and walked through the garden and up the hill for breakfast.

We had practices at other exotic spots in Guatemala. Early one morning we were on the jungle’s edge by Lake Petén Itzá in Flores, before we boarded our bus to go to the ruins at Tikal. Another morning we practiced on a rooftop patio at the Hotel Santo Dominico in Antigua, looking out over bougainvillea and domes of nearby churches. I felt transported with the flow of the moment and the mystical vibrations, and had to think often of the soles of my feet to keep from levitating with happiness.

I plan to return to Guatemala. If you would like to combine TCC practice with great food, fantastic scenery, outstanding shopping and a chance to see excellent examples of pre-Columbian, folk and Spanish Colonial art, as well as meet interesting new people, consider joining me in an Explore Guatemala Adventure. . . . I encourage sketching, but one need not be an artist to join in on the fun. It is enough just to enjoy T’ai Chi Chih practice in one of the most breathtakingly beautiful spots in the world.