During a Shepherd’s Center of America conference at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina, in the late 1990’s, a T’ai Chi Chih teacher was introduced. She invited those interested to attend an introduction to T’ai Chi Chih the following morning before breakfast. It sounded interesting to me, so I attended. After three or four movements and hearing the teacher talk about how these movements help with balance, I went to the elevator to go back to my room. When I reached to push the elevator button, I felt centered in a way I had never before known. Of course, I wondered if it was just my imagination. The more I thought about it, the more I was convinced it had something to do with the few T’ai Chi Chih movements I had experienced.

I began asking for information about who to contact to learn more about these movements. My purpose was to use this means to help older adults in Tupelo, Mississippi, have better balance. I was given a sheet of paper with Justin Stone’s name and phone number.

When I returned to Tupelo, I called Justin. He answered, and we talked about my interest. He suggested I come to Albuquerque for a visit. I arranged to do so. He and Carmen Brocklehurst demonstrated the movements for me in his studio. Afterwards, we went to lunch. Justin gave me some materials, and I was on my way back to Tupelo to learn the movements from a video.

By 2003, I decided I had learned enough to be a teacher. I called Justin, and he told me to come back to Albuquerque. I did, and he and Carmen signed for me to attend a teacher training in New Jersey.

T’ai Chi Chih has been a wonderful addition to the Tupelo community. I learned very soon that the movement would bring benefits to people in a much larger age range than older adults. It has been wonderful seeing the excitement people have about being a part of the classes. A student in a Tuesday class said, “Tuesday is the best day of the week for me.” Hearing comments like this is invigorating for me and keeps me going. Thanks, Justin Stone.

Photo: Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, part of the series “Where in the World” we practice TCC.