14th Annual TCC Teachers’ Conference: Conference Responses

August 5 – 8, 1999 ~ St. Paul, Minnesota

Attending the yearly TCC Conference shows me what is right with the world. To come & participate, be with like-minded people & share in the Chi is both a priviledge & a responsibility for me. Each year there are changes, challenges and indicators of progress. I particularly enjoyed the “Sitting TCC” panel & will incorporate it into my classes for students with physical limitations. Many thanks to the Minnesota teachers and Vivian Hoff for hosting a great conference. I look forward to our reunion next year in New Jersey!

– Rhonda St. Martin
Albuquerque, NM

Noel, . . . As I told you, being present at our 14th annual conference—in person—allowed me, for the first time, to put names with faces and become better acquainted with the T’ai Chi Chih community that I read about in every issue of The Vital Force. I already knew that I rely on The Vital Force to keep me in touch with what is happening out there in the larger world but actually being at a conference made me realize that, in many ways, I already know these people who I’ve never met and who I’m just now beginning to meet. My thanks to everyone who helped establish this wonderful communication tool and to you personally as you carry it forward into the 21st Century. . .

– Steph Winter
Shorewood, MN

It always seems like a small miracle that we are able to come together each year. Many thanks to our Minnesota teachers for their wonderful, warm hospitality.

The conference is such a wonderful opportunity—to reassess, to deepen, to reconnect. I am grateful to have been here.

– Ellen Tatge
Albuquerque, NM

Letter read at the Conference:

Let those at the Conference know that I often send prayers and greeting across the Ocean, or should I say Chi. There are moments when you all get together for announcements. I am sure one of you will have the strong courage to stand up and say it. Special Greetings please to Ed, Justin and Carmen. Tell her I am still waiting for her E-mail address. Let them know I have given a few classes to groups of woman who gather at the Center for prayer and am still very involved with the children doing it. I have a regular group of 66 on Tues., Thurs. & Fridays. I have not pushed it—(as that is not my charism) but in August and September I have been asked to give presentations to the diocese at a big Catechetical gathering where we have various groups and there are like + people. So at least in a very small way I am giving the people a taste for something which is good. We’ll see what comes out of it. I often hear of the words “T’ai Chi” and they say they have done it and found it a strain on the body. My reaction is—Try this class and see..

– Sr. Marie-Ann Main
Brighton Beach Bluff
Durban, South Africa

* * *

My first conference! First of many. . . Justin! Wow! I was able to speak a little Japanese with Justin. As he held my hand tight we talked of Kyoto—a city we both love. Justin’s warm glow at talking of a place he loves was wonderful to share. (I said “Thank You” in Japanese but can’t spell that). Thank you Justin for the wonderul rippling of Chi!

Carmen, thank you for hugs & encouragement and teaching tips. For the sharing of the chi with everyone I saw near you. . .

Nancy [Werner-Azarski], I loved your airport sign—your smile was great to see & Sharon [Sloper] too. Thank you Ron [Barker] for great transportation to & fro. To Ed for a deeper feeling & place in the movements. . .

– Donna McElhose
Wildwood, IL

My first conference was a wonderful experience of fellowship with my T’ai Chi Chih family. I came to the conference to receive help and renew my practise. Thanks to all who offered their suggestions; to Justin for your inspiring talks and presence; to Ed for your high expectations and commitment. . .

– [Sr.] Viola Bens, ose
Christopher Lake, SK
Canada

As a newly-accredited instructor, I was looking for ideas I could really use in teaching TCC…and I received lots of help from the veteran teachers I met at Conference.

I was also inspired by Ed Altman’s devotion to his own TCC practice and appreciate his ability to clearly teach us subtleties about the role of the chi within each movement. It’s a joy to learn how to deepen my practice.

I noticed that Justin was very available throughout the Conference & I was especially pleased to find myself sitting next to him at lunch one day.

What a pleasure to be at Conference and to be able to share this life-changing spiritual practice with others.

– Marty Beery
Placentia, CA

A superb conference—the orgizational flow and contents. Thanks to all who planned and carried out the 25th Anniversary of TCC conference.

I enjoyed arriving on Thurs. for registration, getting acquainted with the campus, settling in the rooms & having a little rest. Then we had a full day on Fri. & Sat. as well as part of Sunday.

– Adele Wenig
Oakland, CA

Impressed we had so many people attend (147?). Wonderful accomodations and great roommates to live with. This was a well orchestrated event by Minnesota folks who solved all problems with grace. I practiced, practiced, practiced until I dropped, or let go of my fears.

– Nancy Jo Bleier
Sitka, AK

What a blessing to have all the chiful energy flowing towards the Folsom Prisoners through me at the Conference. Please practice in the Cosmic Rhythm with us between 2:30 – 3:30 Mondays and Thursdays Pacific Time. Gratefully,

– Judy Tretheway
Sacramento, CA

Major “Aha”—focusing on each part (inch by inch) of the foot while shifting the weight. It really helps me keep my focus longer in the feet, and feel the chi more. Thanks Ed—I was actually more patient with some of the moves today than I’ve ever been. (Yup, that is amazing for me!)

– Sharon Sirkis
Columbia, MD

Thank you to all the participants. There was a wonderful feeling of community which was welcoming to new teachers, and inspiring for opportunities for growth. An exhaustion that I felt the first day gradually became grounded and energizing . . . Would love to have had “Birds of a Feather” and/or workshops, panels on differents topics of teaching (ex: formats of classes).

– Carolyn Allenby
Annandale, NJ

What a beautiful place to really feel the CHI. I truly felt like that tree [the conference logo] by the time the conference was over. I was so sorry not all the people that have come to past conferences were here. . .

– Jean Horton
Grand Junction, CO

The day after the ending of the 25th anniversay TCC conference finds me reflecting on a weekend well spent. It’s hard to see things when they’re on top of you but … looking back one reflects on what actually happened.

Following this morning’s TCC practice, the changes incorporated during the practice sessions seemed to ‘enhance’ the awareness of just what was being done.

If this one can allow change … why can’t others?

It comes to me from a conversation with William C.C. Chen, considered to be one of the top five ‘masters’ of t’ai chi ch’uan/push-hands …”Many are very adept in form but don’t practice ‘push-hands’, the reason being that they never learned and … don’t want to look foolish before others who consider them to be ‘masters’.”

Does this tell me anything?

Are some missing out from the comeraderie of the conference because they fear ‘correction’? That they may look ‘less than’ what they THINK they are? God forbid that one has to set the EGO aside to allow the CHI to REALLY teach! Seems to me … If one wants CHI … give up a bit more of Me!

One can learn a lot from the dedication and hard work expressed in the life of Ed Altman … seasoned not so much in ‘years’ but in practice of this most noble of movement systems. He has matured greatly in his ability to ‘put it across’ in a unique way … with a ‘try it, you may like it’ attitude.

– Ralph Garn
Syracuse, NY

Through word and movement, Justin and Ed masterfully dealt with the fundamental and constant need for improved practice and effective teaching skills.

It was a gift to again hear Justin speak of the spirit of T’ai Chi Chih. His words will always be treasured.

– Sr. Margaret O’Connor, SC
Wayne, NJ

A GUST OF WIND IN MY SAILS
AND SEVERAL DROPS OF RAIN ON MY FACE
ST. PAUL THEN A SMILE

– Carla Grant
McKinney, TX

As always, the conference was rejuvenating, challenging, full, and absolutely essential for me to continue growing in my practice. Thank you, thank you. I wish I could come to conferences every 3 months! (Ha!)

– Amy Hackenberg
Athens, GA

With each passing year, the conference becomes more & more essential in stimulating refinements and depth in my practice as well as strengthening a connection & commitment to TCC. This year’s extra day made the experience especially full. Thanks to everyone!

– Amy Tyksinski
Evanston, IL

Insight: T’ai Chi Chih is about letting go, about “surrendering”, so that only my authentic being, the authentic me, my soul, may be seen unencumbered, and yet filled with only Light, Chi, God.

– Sr. Phyllis Ann Ries, RSM
Little Falls, MN