T’ai Chi Chih-ing in Newfoundland and Labrador

To my surprise it seems that T’ai Chi Chih actually preceded me here in Newfoundland. Out of the woodwork I hear stories of “Joyce and Gus”, a few years short of Justin’s age, who began “leading” as opposed to “teaching” T’ai Chi Chih groups here 25 years ago! At my T’ai Chi Chih booth at a Healthy Living Show last fall, I met Wayne who had learned T’ai Chi Chih ten years ago here from a woman who gave him a certificate so he could teach it, which he did for a while. And so the story goes, and then there’s my own story…

Having learned T’ai Chi Chih in 1992, I became accredited in 2003 after “retiring” from school. Though I had shared T’ai Chi Chih with friends before accreditation, I officially began teaching in January 2004. Focusing much of my energy on practicing and promoting T’ai Chi Chih the past two years has been quite an exhilarating journey.

Meanwhile, “T’ai Chi What?” is a common response when I start my advertising or just share casually what is going on in my life these days. And it grows from there!

As Presentation Sisters we own and operate a Spirituality Centre called The Lantern here in St. John’s. That has been the site for most of my teaching, with 4-5 groups doing 8-weeks sessions starting September, January, and April. By invitation, I also take T’ai Chi Chih “on the road” around the province. Occasionally I offer weekend classes in the city to accommodate people’s schedules, but they are usually reserved for students further away. My students now number over 300.

Each 8-week series is preceded by what I call “Come and See” sessions. I begin with a silent demonstration of the first five moves, inviting those present to simply let the experience wash over them, noticing not only what I am doing, but perhaps more importantly, what they are experiencing as they drink it in. Responses include “relaxing, gentle, peaceful, soothing, comforting, could sit and watch forever, even sleepy (!) ” … and the list goes on. I then invite us to try some moves together as we talk about how it works and its range of reported benefits. As they consider how it might benefit them, we try a few more moves. The next question is inevitably, “When can we start classes?” Most who attend the “Come and See” sessions sign up, many of them bringing along one or two more friends, family, or colleagues to the first class!

What do my students say about why they come, about the classes themselves, about how they feel after? LOTS! The reasons students give for wanting to learn T’ai Chi Chih range from simply being curious because they had seen it or heard about it, to just wanting to relax, to wanting to grow spiritually, and then everything in between.

Those who come love the tranquility, the slow, easy pace, the softness – quite a welcome change from the rest of their lives for most. It’s amazing when I hear a student say how she came to class feeling really heavy and that somewhere during class she simply laid it all down without realizing it and it was gone … or how headaches or nagging pains just disappear for them. They enjoy the warm and friendly, atmosphere, being with “like” others, the soothing music, the feeling of the Chi flowing, the energy it gives, or the good sleep after, the laughter and the joy, and, of course, the teacher!

When asked if it makes a difference in their lives, other students say how it teaches them about how to relax, (even doing moves in their minds when under stress and it works!), about taking time for oneself, helps them get to know themselves better, feel more energy and be more in touch with the energy around them. Some report being more focused, tolerant, peaceful and confident, having more flexibility and less pain or none at all, and having better posture. One woman’s shoulders don’t hurt driving anymore, she says. Another even insists that “Carry the Ball to the Side” is improving her golf swing! More seriously, one student whose husband (also a student) died just recently greeted me at his Wake saying, “T’ai Chi Chih is what gets me going each day.” As another student summed it up, “Doing it just feels good!” Meanwhile, some students are “still waiting to see”.

Besides regular classes, I have begun offering T’ai Chi Chih Retreat days, going from 10:00 – 3:00. Both so far lasted until 3:45ish actually because no one wanted to leave! Twice a year. By invitation, I also have been offering half-day sessions at weekend retreats for men and women. As well, we also get to do the occasional lunch time practice in one of the city parks!

From time to time I do presentations, similar to my “Come and See” sessions, in a variety of group settings including hospitals, conferences, offices, and for youth, seniors, and retired teachers. My students are generally the ones to initiate these. They are truly our best advertisements! I often think T’ai Chi Chih is as much about attraction as it is about promotion.

Recently I was invited to do a full day in September with personnel at our Provincial Youth (Correction) Centre with a view to introducing T’ai Chi Chih to the youth there as well as staff. I did a mini session with staff there in May, sparking the September staff day.

Right now I am dreaming of the day when teachers abound here! Some students have been asking how I became accredited and where. Just last evening I had a would-be student exclaim, “I want to learn this so I can teach it!” That’s good news! And I continue to fan the flame! Maybe next year an Intensive in Newfoundland? Teacher Accreditation after that? Keeping the dream alive! “Come and See”!