The Vital Force Archive

Sue Kenney notes that most TCC groups gather similar people, and challenges teachers to carry the practice into mental health clinics, public housing projects and drop-in centers, raising funds to pay teachers when students cannot.

Sandy McAlister announces two new accreditation resources, the Teacher Preparation Suggested Curriculum and the Teacher Prep Coaches created by Lesley Nell, Marie Dotts and Lisa Otero, then passes the role of Guide to Marie Dotts.

Tina Wells traces her path from a first class with Wendy Helms in California to teaching T'ai Chi Chih at Oxford's Restore charity and the Oxfordshire Recovery College, where students use grounding to interrupt panic attacks.

TCC Guide Sandy McAlister likens the community's year to Spring, announcing the 2025 focus on Supporting and Strengthening Each Other, new suggested guidelines for preparing teacher candidates, a Foundation stipend for European support, and a July 26 Zoom teacher conference.

Anita Vestal recounts ten years of offering free Spanish-language classes in rural Costa Rica, where clubs supplied transportation and space, and calls for Foundation grants and a new video of TCC worldwide.

Guy Kent, a Vital Force board member, makes the case for recurring monthly donations to the T'ai Chi Chih community, noting the 2017 tax law's effect on itemized charitable deductions.

Tara Stiles describes walking the corridor of five tiers of cells at Folsom Prison, resting attention in the soles of her feet, and the hungry, intelligent questions of the men who chose her class.

Sandy McAlister recounts the 50th anniversary teacher conference in Albuquerque, from Skip Whitson's memories of publishing Justin's books to a raffle and auction that raised $6,974 for scholarships.

Sue Bitney co-chaired the raffle and auction for the 50th anniversary conference in Albuquerque with Judy Trousdell, then tested positive for COVID and instead had a last conversation with her hospice patient.

Benjamin Brisjar recounts how T'ai Chi Chih reversed a volunteer shortage at the all-volunteer Pittsburg Fifty Plus Club, sustained members through COVID Zoom classes, and led the Board to fund reprinting the Photo Text.

Sandy McAlister outlines the volunteer-run pieces of the TCC organization and urges every teacher to pay for a listing on the taichichih.org find-a-teacher page, after a researcher searching for a teacher found no names.

Margery Erickson traces a career in juvenile detention outreach, crisis intervention, sheltered workshops and special education that preceded her TCC accreditation, then lists community settings where she now hopes to volunteer.

Sr. Karen Kaelin's notes from three 2021 conference presentations: Carmen Brocklehurst on using breath to connect with the t'an t'ien, Jungmin Lee's tea ceremony, and a panel on reaching under-served communities.

Anita Vestal recounts the 2021 conference, from Paul Ciske on lifting the Chi to Sue Kenny and George Manning's volunteer work in Sacramento mental health programs, then asks readers to join new outreach and Spanish-language groups.

Terry Johnson's first T'ai Chi Chih class, set for April Fool's Day 2020, was cancelled by COVID-19, so she worked her local food bank instead and now practices in the park with a staff member who would have been her student.

Terry Jennings asks Hannah Hedrick whether teachers should charge for classes, and Hedrick describes teaching free for cancer, HIV and polio survivors while urging Terry to seek paid events.

Gail Terriff recounts how a recreation therapist's request for T'ai Chi Chih "forever" at Edmonton's Hope and Wellness Center drew Alberta teachers together, only for COVID-19 to postpone classes after week one.

Sandy McAlister describes the year-end class celebration at Rossmoor, where donations go to a residents' assistance fund, then proposes local service projects and the TCC Foundation's three $200 teacher grants.

Judy Chancey lists the practical steps to take while awaiting TC4VETS certification, from offering pro bono VA volunteer classes and meeting VFW commanders to practicing cues without left and right.

Jessica Lewis reports on a T'ai Chi Chih Foundation grant that paid for 1000 flyers and a banner promoting Free T'ai Chi for Veterans, distributed at Stand Down and to Delaware realtors.

Margery Erickson walks teachers through the TaijiFit veterans application at taijifit.net/vets, from the 150-hour training requirement and new acronyms like Vairkko and CANVAS to networking locally and teaching free, volunteer classes.

Kathleen McAllister describes the frustrating sign-up process for David Dorian Ross's Free T'ai Chi for Veterans program, and decides patience and softness are the way to meet it.

Linda Zelig, writing for the 2019 conference committee, recounts the 452-day climb to mount the Return to the Circle conference in Minnesota, from April 2018 planning to June 27 arrival.

Rachel Rilinger announces her accreditation after six-and-a-half years of practice begun with her aunt Terry Jennings, and lists the settings where she plans to teach, from a disability camp to a climbing gym.

Sandy McAlister passes on conference updates for teachers who could not attend: the renewed five-year vision statement, Foundation finances and scholarship totals, new grants and committees, and a tribute to Connie Hyde.

Julie Heryert reports that donated industrial fans have transformed the sweltering Folsom chapel class, which now has 33 students and a waiting list, and describes meeting ARC founder Scott Budnick.

Lisa Otero names the Core Planning Committee and Northern Colorado volunteers behind the 2017 Boulder Teacher Conference, from the raffle and vocal auction for the scholarship fund to the rededication ceremony and video recordings.

Lisa M. Otero previews the 2017 teacher conference program for the Conference Program Committee, with a first day devoted to deepening personal practice and a second to teaching, service and the rededication ceremony.

Carol Mockovak describes the free summer practice she and Vanjie Bratt have led since 2005 on the Mississippi riverbank at St. Paul's Hidden Falls Regional Park, which inspired a participant's poem.

Julie Heryet previews her conference presentation on teaching at Folsom State Prison, describing the noise and stress inmates face and giving practical steps for approaching a correctional facility about a moving meditation class.