Many Dreams Come True

Becoming an accredited teacher of T’ai Chi Chih ® Joy Thru Movement is a dream come true. Today, five years later I am experiencing such joy and freedom as I go about teaching, presenting and inviting others to the same joy. In this article I would like to share with you some of my joyous moments.

A brief background may assist your understanding of some of my experiences. I am 47 years as a Catholic Religious woman who has taught elementary school. I spent 22 years with first grade, a few years in second, third and eighth before I began to teach adults. I am a teacher with a physical disability from a dancing accident.

One of my colleagues invited me to join her at Georgian Court College to present T’ai Chi Chih to her students. This was a Stress Management Class. As I awaited the arrival of the students I noticed a young man in a wheel chair entering the room. My first thought was how will I include this young man. Gently introducing myself, I showed him how to move in the chair. Class began and I fell right into the delight of teaching and presenting. The class participated for two hours. Days later I received in the mail a few reflection papers that I was unaware needed to be written and handed in after my presentation. Listen to these students…

“I felt energized after leaving without having a hard workout.”

“I need to direct my energies in more appropriate ways.”

“Walking to my car, I almost felt like I was floating.”

“This class really made me feel centered.”

“I felt one with myself.”

“My mind was blank and everything was natural and fluid.” And now the most important remarks. . . Yes! The young man in the wheel chair had this to say: “I was not looking forward to the class…”

“The smooth movements made my breathing slower/calmer.”

“It also took my stressful thoughts away for the time being.”

“The instructor had a calming effect as well. . .well spent time.”

The joy of reading these papers continues the joy of TCC in my being. It happens without explanation.

One night I received a phone call out of the blue from a student inquiring if I would visit the Art Studio at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday morning to share a practice with a few people. The picture enclosed is a last-minute makeshift as I was leaving. What I found at the Studio was four students that regularly gathered for practice. They had used Justin’s video following as closely as possible.

The women wanted me to review their moves with them. It was a pleasure to know that students do continue on their own even if they are not just right. “Let Chi be Chi.” Joy shines on each face even though position is awry. These four women seek to deepen their practice and that is important. My desire to pass this beautiful movement on drives me to say YES to every offer that comes my way.

My teacher was on sabbatical and I was invited to do her Ongoing class. You can imagine my excitement. Yet I was concerned that I was not good enough to continue the work of my own teacher. Again I heard Justin’s words, “Let Chi be Chi,” so I began. The class was another joyous experience. I saw a situation with a student doing Anchor Taffy. I was unable to verbalize the assistance needed. It took me a few weeks as I kept watching until I felt the shift myself. I was then able to explain to the student what was needed to move smoothly. What a gift! T’ai Chi Chih ® Joy Thru Movement travels with me wherever I go.

During the summer of 2004, the Sisters of St. Joseph had their General Chapter. This is a week of intense meetings, discussions, voting and change if necessary. Nearly 350 women met every day all day. Yet there was time and space to practice TCC. Yes, I led a practice every morning outside by the flowing fountain. Some women had never done TCC before but learned a little while others renewed their practice. Each of us energized the larger group as we sent positive energy into each new day of our gathering. It was an honor for me to lead the practice for such a great group. My joy just keeps me going deeper and deeper into the softness of TCC.

Autumn brought me another surprise. The Monastery of Pine Wind, a Buddhist monastery in New Jersey offered me an opportunity to share TCC with the Monks. It was a retreat day. The schedule offered Yoga in the morning and T’ai Chi Chih in the afternoon for those attending. We began indoors but did our final practice out in the field under the beautiful sky. The quiet atmosphere added to the softness of the movements. The Monks were appreciative to learn a new method to still the body and mind.

My last class had two women with totally different needs. One woman had lived through a broken neck and the other had lost her hand. These women were a challenge for me as teacher. Both learned and came again to ongoing classes. Moving from the tan t’ien was a source of hope for Sue. Her body was so stiff, yet once she found the solar plexus she learned to move with ease. Gina was unable to move her arm so she grounded herself until she found a way to shift the half arm in the right direction, giving her a freedom that she was unable to explain.

A dream come true continues as I reach out to any and all that seem interested in learning about TCC. This is how I was invited to Ocean City Public School gym class. A friend is a substitute teacher there and needed a professional person to demonstrate a field of interest. I presented TCC to two classes of young people. One little fellow asked me if this would help his anger and I said let’s wait and see. After the session I asked the young one how he was feeling. He stated his anger seems quiet. My friend Jane was reminded by her students the next day that it was . . . graceful conclusion!

The energy of TCC travels wherever it is needed. I am teaching a special needs class in public school this year. These little ones have Downs Syndrome, damaged nervous systems and other special needs. They are beautiful and enjoy the energy of TCC. They may not move with the best style but the teacher and aids are learning along with the students. While teaching the adults I had the students sit as we encircled them. The energy of our movements stilled the little bodies. The children were quiet, calm and peaceful all during our practice. This class is so special. I am floating when I leave the school. My final experience to share is at our Earth Center. We have just opened this center to teach anyone about our relationship with the Earth and each other. I will begin a class in April for children and parents to relieve stress and violence and to empower the children to enjoy peace.

A dream come true being a Teacher of T’ai Chi Chih ® Joy Thru Movement continues to awaken within me the spirituality of interrelatedness. We are One with each other and with Mother Earth. Let us make Peace with one another and with Mother Earth.