The Vital Force Archive

Pastor Scott Dunfae answers St. Luke's Lutheran members suspicious of anything "eastern," reminding them Christianity began as an Eastern religion and describing the classes two certified instructors lead there.

Lia Ridley's pyramid poem for Justin Stone recalls their first meeting in December 1977, the recognition in his warm eyes, and his promise that they would always be close.

Virginia Cepeda describes two years of teaching a physically challenged class who practiced daily holding kitchen sinks and chairs, until 14 of 16 students stood and performed unaided in March 1997.

Lynn Lind's Deming Headlight report on Beverly McFarland, who took over daily T'ai Chi Chih sessions at the Deming Elderhostel, came to the practice through recurring dreams, and taught a blind woman with her own eyes closed.

Lia Ridley's farewell letter thanking the teachers she met over eleven years of workshops and performances, voicing regret that Steve is no longer spiritual head and trainer, and accepting the change in peace.

Ann E. Federspiel offers two class images: an imaginary jump rope for the wrist circles in Bird Flaps Its Wings, and a torso on a glider rod for upright weight shifting.

Tori Fiore of Phoenix sets down a message on being a humble vessel: judge not, claim no greatness, and let stillness rather than scheming increase one's power.

Justin Stone gives his own account of the "two T'ai Chi Chihs" dispute, Steve Ridley's refusal to meet and sudden resignation as Spiritual Head, and Ed Altman's agreement to take over the Teachers' Courses.

Janet Clarkson recounts the balance loss, blurred vision and tingling hands that led to her multiple sclerosis diagnosis at 42, and how Roberta Taggart's class at Kaiser Permanente eased her spasms and pain.

Justin Stone announces that a signed agreement has ended the "two T'ai Chi Chih" problem, limiting teaching to TCC as originated and copyrighted and halting illegal books and tapes.

John Rogers describes thirty years of migraines with visual "aura" blindness, and how twenty minutes of slow, deliberate Seijaku after a review session with Justin stopped an episode cold.