The Vital Force Archive

Anne Lovdahl describes the blustery oceanfront practice near Seal Beach pier, where four weekly sessions draw over 20 people on Saturdays, curious onlookers, and one regular leaving for the Peace Corps.

Judy Hendricks on Carmen Brocklehurst's Seijaku workshop amid June cottonwood snow, Connie Hyde on Sister Antonia Cooper's Albuquerque retreat, and Lois Arrigotti on World T'ai Chi Day in Golden Gate Park.

After watching teachers and students at a retreat shift weight incorrectly, Justin Stone urges teachers to stress that T'ai Chi Chih happens below the waist, with loose wrists and spread fingers.

Justin Stone corrects common errors: the wrists, not the arms, do the work in Carry the Ball to the Side, hands stay cupped in Push Pull and Passing Clouds, and Working the Pulley turns from the waist, plus news of his conference videos.

Attendees of the 16th International Teachers' Conference at Saint Mary's College, many of them first-timers, describe Ed Altman's emphasis on alignment, Sandy McAlister's correction of waist turning in Carry the Ball to the Side, Justin's talk on vashanas, and the candlelight ceremony.

Denise M. Clark recounts Ed Altman's Memorial Day workshop in Danville, where fifty-one practitioners let Rocking Motion lift naturally, worked the weight shift flat-footed, and softened the waist for Perpetual Motion Taffy.

Four teachers offer classroom tips: Viola Moriarty's student likened TCC to an inside massage, Hope Ridley used a wristwatch to mark left from right, Ralph Garn passed a rubber bodyball for Carry the Ball hands, and Steve Tang learned his park group wanted movements announced aloud.

Short on time before going out, Jane Klingensmith missed her afternoon practice and instead braced her feet against the tub end, working Around the Platter, Push Pull, Pulling in the Energy and Carry the Ball while bathing.