Northern Colorado (NoCo)

About T’ai Chi Chih Northern Colorado

T’ai Chi Chih Northern Colorado grew from a weekend retreat in October 2014 organized by our teacher Marie Dotts. Students and practitioners from Fort Collins, Loveland, Windsor and surrounding areas came together to deepen their practice and experience the joy of sharing T’ai Chi Chih (TCC) and its benefits, as first taught by founder Justin Stone. The community has since spread into a network of students, continuing practitioners, teachers and individuals called to explore this moving meditation.

Accredited TCC NoCo Teachers

Marie Dotts: “I have been an accredited T’ai Chi Chih teacher since 1999. From the moment I stepped into my first T’ai Chi Chih class decades ago, I knew I was HOME. The soft, graceful but powerful movements spoke deeply to my soul of the possibility of moving through life from a center of strength, vitality, joy, peace and serenity. TCC is a journey of awakening to a true center within and flowing through life from that center. The calling to the contemplative journey has been a passion even as I have been a Licensed Practical Nurse, a Software Engineer for Hewlett Packard, a mother of three boys, and a CNA for Pathways Hospice. I have also been a student of the Diamond Approach for the past decade. Visit my website, Flowing from Center for my current class schedule.”

Lisa Stroyan: “I love the calm, clear perspective that T’ai Chi Chih classes and practices leave me with. It was after a major health issue, however, that I deepened into this a healing art. My daily practice is no longer a “should,” but a renewing tool that makes a noticeable difference in the quality of my day and my health. I enjoy working with students of all ages and ability levels and teacher candidate mentoring. I’m also an accredited teacher of the advanced form of T’ai Chi Chih, Seijaku. If you would like a class in an individualized setting or one-on-one coaching please contact me! See my website for FREE Virtual Classes being offered as a community service through zoom.”

Rebecca Paulson: “At my very first lesson in March 2014, I experienced several benefits—improved balance, deep relaxation, and a sense of the promise of increased joy. It is my passion to promote wellness of body, mind, and soul, which T’ai Chi Chih offers. I was accredited in 2016 and have been teaching ever since. These days there is nothing I’d rather be doing. I taught 3 years in Banner Greeley hospital’s Wellness Program, and I continue teaching at two senior living facilities (Fort Collins is on hiatus, Loveland is on Zoom), and I’m leading Practice in the Park, a free drop-in session during the summer in both Loveland and Greeley.”

Joetta Heck: “By late summer 2014, the same year I discovered T’ai Chi Chih, my body let me know how disconnected it was from my mind and spirit. The tension I had stored in my left shoulder was screaming at me as relentless pain. My lifelong habits of holding on to stress and a rigid upper body position caught up with me. I learned how to ‘let go’ of tension and move softly while firmly grounded. Slowly, practice changed my habits and my pain subsided. Now, I wish to share this gentle moving meditative practice with you. Explore its gifts as a healing art. Allow your body to soften and let go. By connecting the mind, body and spirit, you embrace the opportunity to live a life filled with joy, creativity and unbounded love.”

Bonnie Schowalter: “I started studying T’ai Chi Chih in September 2014. I fell in love with the softness and the ‘effort of no effort’ of the movements. This led to me first to wanting to know more and now to teaching. I never realized how much tension I carried in my body. I am a high energy person who participated in multiple sports. I move through life with vigor and intensity. I never knew until my teacher Marie Dotts invited me to slow down using the principles of T’ai Chi Chih. My energy has increased and my immune system is strong. I love TCC and I would love to share it with you.”

Doriane Tippet: “Because of a head injury while body surfing, my neurologist recommended T’ai Chi. I studied the Yang style for four years. It helped me; but I found 108 postures to be tedious to learn, and difficult to string together. Upon moving to Colorado, I discovered T’ai Chi Chih through Marie Dott’s class. It was a delight. The movements were straightforward and I could feel the Chi after about three months. TCC has made a tremendous difference in the quality of my life and my health.”

Holly Trenary: “In 2013 my daughter and I took a TCC class together. Tension makes my shoulders scrunch up so they become earrings. Then it’s time for me to ground and focus on the soles of my feet. T’ai Chi Chih has helped me calm and let go of things more easily. As a wiggly girl, TCC is mindfulness in motion. TCC can be enjoyed standing or seated, at any age, and it is tender enough for most physical limitations. I love to share T’ai Chi Chih. The benefits are abundant. Come enjoy learning this gentle physical mindfulness practice!” 

Julie Hygh: “T’ai Chi Chih, a powerful tool for life’s physical, emotional, mental and spiritual challenges, has a way of entering one’s life at the perfect time. Just when I decided to work toward a teacher accreditation, I found I had cancer. Recovering from surgery and facing the side effects of double radiation treatments, I had already established a daily practice and used it successfully throughout my cancer journey. Little did I realize how much T’ai Chi Chih had been helping! Now cancer free, my T’ai Chi Chih practice continues whether at home, on the beach in Costa Rica or in the mountains of Machu Picchu, Peru.

Connie Krumrai: “After playing with T’ai Chi Chih (TCC) for several years, I was attending a workshop in Fort Collins with April Leffler when a thought bubbled up…”If you truly want to heal, this is the path.” I haven’t looked back. I became a more dedicated TCC student and in 2019 became an Accredited T’ai Chi Chih Teacher. Through this mindfulness-moving meditation, I have experienced healing in all areas: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. The deeper I sink into this practice, I become more aware of the six principles of TCC weaving their way into my daily life and relationships. My heart overflows with gratitude for the healing benefits TCC has brought into my life.”

Robert Poland: “I live in Fort Collins at The Winslow, a senior living establishment with about 100 rooms. Prior to becoming accredited, I started “teaching” two years ago simply through showing videos by Carmen Brocklehurst, Justin Stone and Pam Towne. After I became accredited, they evolved into Thursday and Saturday morning classes. While usually small, they continue despite COVID-19 restrictions. As I told the Activity Director years ago, since I practice daily, I’ll be there. I have not missed a single day of practice in over two-and-a-half years.”

Gloria Thrall: “This gentle practice continues to be a source of strength, peace and beauty in my life. After 30 years of serving as a high school teacher and counselor, teaching this mindfulness moving meditation has been the next right step on my journey. The only thing more fulfilling than practicing T’ai Chi Chih is sharing it with others. And there is no better time than now for us all to share together the joy and tranquility it brings.”

Mary Buirgy: “I discovered T’ai Chi Chih in 2017 when my life and career demands were stressful. Having engaged in meditation practices throughout adulthood, I found TCC to be a perfect fit for my active lifestyle. I release physical and emotional tension, am more able to let go of mental “busy-ness,” and experience an inner calm that carries me through the day. This practice supports me in my desire to appreciate ALL of life and to be fully present. As a recently retired educator, it provides daily grounding and calm. I find myself living more and more in a state of GRATITUDE!”

Terry Johnson: “T’ai Chi Chih helps me focus within, quiet my thoughts, notice my body and explore our Chi, the energy that is life. It’s a time to let my mind take a break from everything else. This is my time to focus within; it’s not a destination I expect to reach but a wonderful journey towards awareness. My husband JJ and I were accredited in November 2019, and my first classes were about to start when the pandemic arrived. The Chi guides you to where you are needed most, and for me it is to give my time to the local food bank. When we ready to meet face-to-face again, I’ll be ready to help others start their own journey.”

JJ Johnson: “When my wife Terry and I started T’ai Chi Chih in 2017, I found it interesting. The movements were soft and slow, unlike any other martial art I’d taken before. Interesting, but not for me, I thought. Terry continued going. I sat out, but continued practicing on my own. Interesting things began happening, and I figured I’d better continue with a teacher who could guide me in discovering my Chi. I’ve never looked back. Since being accredited in November 2019, I’ve taught Veterans at our local VA Whole Health Outreach Clinics. Having served in State Law Enforcement for over 30 years, I click with my squad at the VA. Mindfulness, centering, balance, mellowing out, joy and happiness. Letting go. A healing art. I always thought Life was good. It sure beats the alternative. And now, Life just gets better and better.”

NoCo Community Events

Watch this space for announcements of upcoming community events.

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