The Vital Force Archive

Sandy McAlister counts the ripple from Linda Braga's TCC presentation to 200 people at a six-thousand-person conference, and urges students who plan to teach after retirement to start now, one class at a time.

Nancy Werner-Azarski recounts the small but energetic 2009 conference, where Anita's description of T'ai Chi Chih as a personal journey within a community, and a panel on spirituality, reshaped her thinking.

Pam Towne gathers testimonials from her six-week Southern California Seijaku class, including reports of eased arthritis pain, more energy with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and Justin Stone's 1989 remark about health and strength.

Diana Bahn recounts two falls, one crossing West 57th Street and one on the tennis court that strained her hamstring, and how acupuncture, physical therapy and a rebuilt daily practice brought Seijaku back within seven weeks.

Carmen L. Brocklehurst counters frustration with Pulling Taffy by having students affirm their love for it, then teaches the small circular hip swivel that keeps the shoulders still and generates chi from the waist.

Ann Rutherford, prompted by the Nebraska teacher conference, locates the yang elements of T'ai Chi Chih in grounding the chi, the hands descending at each close, and the substantial hand in Pulling Taffy.

Jean Katus shifted her emphasis in Pulling Taffy from the tan t'ien to the side movements, picturing a fine filament from the center and recalling Justin's marionette image.

Caroline Guillot includes Justin Stone's T'ai Chi Chih: Joy Thru Movement in her class fee, assigning homework from it and quizzing students orally in the final session.