10th Graders Reflect On TCC

“TCC has been my form of stress relief, anxiety relief and a safe haven for about a year. Coming into it, I thought it would be ridiculous, but it proved me wrong. In a competitive school, I’m always thinking about what’s ahead. But TCC helped me be in the moment, slow down, make sure I’m okay. TCC really is a way of healing. I’m much less stressed and I feel like I have control over my emotions. I can feel them and I let them come out, but I don’t have to be scared of them. I’m glad I took TCC this year; it really has helped me.”

– Audrey Ng, 10th Grade, Albuquerque Academy

“TCC is calming for me and helps create a moment of peace. It has helped me in situations of stress or anger to become more cool-headed and handle these emotions better in the moment. I feel the ground beneath me and the air touching my skin while I practice. The sounds of people and buildings fade away and the white noise of the area comes forward. TCC is helping me become a better version of myself in this world.”

– Bella Moretti, 10th Grade, Albuquerque Academy

“During the practice of TCC, I am transported to a state where I am not required to think, worry, or plan. I am simply me, in my purest, calmest state. I don’t have to think about how slow or fast I am going, because my body knows what’s right for me. My spirit, rather than my mind, guides me. It brings me one step closer every day, to living life completely in the present and keep myself as true and connected as I can be.”

– Jayce R., 10th Grade, Albuquerque Academy

“I’m not gonna lie. I thought this class was gonna be a joke. I did not anticipate what these past two semesters have given me. When I have this hour to ground myself in my “now,” I immediately become calmer and more productive. I led a walkout against gun violence and got very emotional. Then I remembered Ms. Tyksinski’s advice to ground myself. And I was transformed. What once was anger towards authority and the government, turned into empathy and understanding. We are all here, trying to live out the best versions of ourselves. I’ve learned that it is up to us to spread love and positivity.”

– Moira Tanedo, 10th Grade, Albuquerque Academy

“TCC has changed a lot for me. I feel more grounded daily and more relaxed. Overall, I feel that I connect with people better and read their Chi (and their emotions). Even on days when I feel too upset, stressed, or overall emotional, I find myself practicing and reminding myself of things Ms. Tyksinski has taught me. Lessons for movements have become new phrases and I remind myself to “stay inside yourself” to “slow down.” TCC means “learning myself” rather than learning school subjects and lessons. It has made me take into consideration that I’m not who I want to be right now, but with TCC, I can start to become that person.”

– Tatiana G., 10th Grade, Albuquerque Academy

Pyramid Poems On Silence

warmth

strength love

in wholeness

we now become

the silence

inside

out

– Carmela Beck

the

silence

is the is

we tap into

the silence

when we’re

still

– Dora Weimann

peace

silence

quietly

soothing, calming

energy

come join

me

– Pauline Quimson-Miller

the

sounds have

stopped but our

monkey minds still

whisper in

searching

ears

– Jerry G.

the

quiet

speaks loudly

to those who are

ready to

listen

shhh

– Unknown

be

silent

a gift ‘oft

misunderstood

oh surprise

it’s a

gift

– Anon