A day of renewal for Bay Area, CA T’ai Chi Chih teachers and students

On February 6, 1999, 42 T’ai Chi Chih teachers and students from the Greater Bay Area gathered for a day of renewal with Ed Altman, Appointed Head of T’ai Chi Chih. This special event, coordinated by Pat Huseby, was held at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Walnut Creek. Nestled among the foothills of the East Bay, the church offered a quiet place to practice T.C.C. and to look inward at the very principles of movement that underlie the form.

People arrived from Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Gatos, Cupertino, the South Bay and East Bay on this misty, rainy morning and were greeted with warm smiles, hot tea, soft music and beautiful Ikebana flower arrangements (done by Barbara Riley). And so our day of renewal began.

Like all things that are done well, the day was enhanced by the same principles that underlie T.C.C. practice: attention to detail, awareness and softness. Ed made everyone feel at ease. The morning practice began by reviewing the basics. It then moved quickly into an exploration of the internal process of moving from center and allowing the body to release tension, especially in the knees.

Ed used excellent teaching techniques to lead people to make their own discoveries of inefficient movement patterns. He demonstrated the movements and talked about the mechanics of what’s happening as he moved. He continued to talk us through the specifics as we all moved together and continued to move. Standing in the center of the circle, Ed demonstrated in various directions, giving everyone a clear view from several angles. The result for many was not just a mental switch from old patterns. Their body also “got it” at the physical, kinesthetic level.

Ed reminded us that breaking through old patterns of movement is an ongoing process of refinement. He encouraged everyone to use their daily practice to go deeper, to simplify, to let go of excesses, to allow the Chi to flow. He challenged each of us to not settle for a second rate form, a form that feels OK but brings no benefits, a form that lacks the most basic ingredient, the FLOW of Chi.

Many helpful comments were given regarding the form. All refinements begin with these simple dynamics:

Release the tension in the knees, allowing them to bend.

Float forward and back, shifting the weight fully.

Align the spine continually.

Don’t bend or lean, causing tension to form.

For those of you who did not get the opportunity to attend this renewal with Ed, look in the Vital Force Journal for upcoming events. Perhaps you could offer a renewal in your area so that more teachers and students have the opportunity to deepen their practice and experience much greater benefits. If you think your form is good enough, then a day of renewal is your next step.

For more information on setting up a renewal, call Pat Huseby.