25th Anniversary of TCC celebrated at annual TCC teachers’ conference

The 14th annual Tai Chi Chih Teachers’ Conference was held August 5th – 8th on the Concordia University campus in St. Paul, Minnesota. In attendance were Justin Stone, Originator of T’ai Chi Chih, Ed Altman, Head of T’ai Chi Chih, and about 150 other accredited teachers. All came together to renew individual TCC practice, improve their ability to teach TCC, connect with old friends and meet new ones.

This year’s conference was different than previous conferences in that it started first thing Friday morning and continued through lunch on Sunday. This provided extra time and allowed everyone the ability to sink into their individual practice. We moved as a group twice per day with an additional session dedicated to a review of the movements by both Justin and Ed. The main purpose of the conference was focused on these practice sessions. With all of this time to review and practice everyone had ample opportunity to strengthen their movements. During some of the sessions advanced teachers circulated and offered suggestions of ways for people to improve their form. On the whole these corrections were received in the spirit in which they were given—with a smile and with gratitude.

Also interwoven into each day were different discussions or presentations. Justin Stone gave a talk concerning chi. He referred to chi as the “building blocks of life” and reminded us all of the purpose of TCC—that is to “circulate and balance this chi”, and by doing so directly affect the energy which is the foundation for all things. Both Ed Altman and Carmen Brocklehurst spoke concerning the importance of TCC from a sense of its future, and how the success of its future is rooted in the sincerity of its teachers and the manner in which it is taught. “Seated TCC” was presented to the entire group by Roberta Taggart, Sandy McAlister and Christeen McLain. We all sat while they walked us through some of the principles, obstacles and ideas for teaching TCC to people who are not able to do standing or conventional TCC. The strength of this discussion emanated from its actual practice by all who were seated. The effects of this short practice were so pronounced that many exclaimed later that they looked forward to teaching this form and expressed great enthusiasm for its potential benefits.

Because this year marks the 25th Anniversary of TCC, a special celebration honoring Justin Stone was held Saturday night. During the celebration, many people expressed their gratitude to him for bringing TCC into being—some played flute, some spoke from the heart at the “open mike,” one person read from the teachings of Lao Tzu, while three others performed a poem [“The First Cure” from BLACK ELK SPEAKS by John G. Neihardt].

Beyond all of the above there is the ongoing meetings and greetings. As Justin puts it, “TCC people are nice people”. At the conference this is very apparent. Old friendships are tended and new ones easily made in the warm, comforting environment created by the gathering of so many exceptional and gifted people as are at a TCC conference. It would be the rare individual indeed who is not a little sad when Sunday comes, and it is time to part once again.

I would like to end this article on a personal note. Thanks to everyone who came—without your participation the conference would not be what it is. For those who worked on the conference staff—thank you, thank you, thank you. And to those thinking about attending next year’s conference—Don’t think, grab a pen, go to your calendar and block out July 20 through July 23. Because that is when the conference is going to be held next year. After all, when else are you going to get the opportunity to meet so many neat people, hear so many wonderful ideas and practice TCC with over 150 dedicated teachers?