Inspiring and Uplifting

The recent Teacher Training course held in Albuquerque lived up to its reputation, as expressed by many teachers, as one of the most memorable and transformational weeks in one’s life. I will add to this, inspiring and uplifting.

From the moment we walked in to the Tai Chi Center on Monday, we were warmly greeted by the Albuquerque teachers as well as the many out of town teachers who came for either part or all of the week. Having studied with Sandy McAllister at an Intensive week held in New Jersey, I was comforted by a familiar face and was accustomed to her even and gentle teaching style. Since this class totaled 17 students, Pam Towne was on hand to lend and extra set of well-trained eyes to help guide the larger group. We were graced with the presence of our Tai Chi Chih Guide, Sr. Antonia Cooper, for whom this was her first accreditation in Albuquerque.

I knew there would be opportunities to see and meet Justin Stone during this week but his daily appearances to the Center, at both morning and afternoon sessions, came as a complete surprise. How humbling it was to watch Justin join in with our own practice sessions. When encouraged by Sandy to “say a few words” to the class, Justin at first declined, then spoke eloquently and at length about his days studying in India and Japan, extolling the importance of the chi as was related to him, how to move correctly for the chi to flow through the meridians, how he was advised by an Indian swami friend “to make friends with the Chi.” Had I read many of these words before? Of course. Sitting and listening to Justin speak, as in the comfort of one’s living room, was truly inspiring and was a special gift from that week that I hold dear.

Oh yes, there were numerous corrections given by Justin to our moves while we were practicing. At week’s end the class wanted him to know we will heed his words — do the moves well so we can teach our students correctly and always be sincere and keep Tai Chi Chih pure.

The spirit that is TCC existed within every teacher there who gave selflessly toward the one goal of seeing these 17 fledglings move on into the realm of teachers. Their example is set for us students-turned-teachers to emulate, as we work to be an active part of the community, to continue to learn, teach well, and “pass it on.”

Our theme as a class had developed that we arrived as caterpillars in a cocoon and were leaving as beautiful butterflies. And for this newly sprung butterfly, the experience was Uplifting!