A Marvel

I don’t know where to begin … so incredible was my experience this year. I didn’t think my first conference (Portland, 2012) could be topped, but Minnesota was amazing. For me, getting to connect with the T’ai Chi Chih community and do TCC with 100 others is about enough reason to become a teacher. To teach and not give yourself the gift of a conference … well, all I can say is you are really cheating yourself. This year’s conference was so spiritual, so unifying … pulling us together in our common intention, strengthening our connection to each other and the bigger picture.

The presentations were awesome; I didn’t even know I had tense feet, but now they are happier. The TEDx Talk was so moving and inspiring. And I have carried April Leffler like an angel on my shoulder ever since. She whispers, “Listen to that inner voice: There is that within you which knows.” Her talk and group exercise (in which I got to be the “dreamer”) helped to crystallize what I’ve always known about my connection to TCC: That I was led to it by listening to an inner voice connected to the greater voice of universal spirit (Prajna), and it has made all the difference. My “dream” was to have the courage to get up on stage and share something of myself that might be useful to others – like how to teach T’ai Chi Chih in prisons, perhaps? Until April encouraged me, I never would have considered the idea. And that was just the first of several transformational experiences.

In addition to the pure joy of the presentations and the international dancing, there were heaps of opportunities to grow personally and as a teacher. I learned from Pam that Seijaku may simply become a deeper part of my TCC practice, that it doesn’t duplicate or replace it. I learned from Bill Moore how to connect myself to the ground at a deeper level than ever.

I discovered that I could be videotaped and the sky wouldn’t fall. The calm, gracious spirit of Catherine, our recording artist, really helped me overcome my shyness and anxiety. It was unbelievable that she was able to turn it into something I didn’t just survive, but I actually enjoyed.

And all this was capped off by having the honor and privilege of being one of four to lead group practice on Sunday morning. The energy and bond I felt with Neal, Stacey and April as we led the group was so powerful. Again, I not only survived it – I enjoyed it. I marvel at the person I’ve become through my TCC practice. And it is because of the teachers I’ve met who carry Justin’s message so faithfully and are so willing to help others along the way.

Finally, a real bonus was some feedback I received from Carmen about a few of my moves. In case this might be helpful to someone else, corrections were as follows: 1.) I was leaning back slightly. She suggested that rather than tuck my butt under so much on the backward weight shift, that I allow my rear to come back and sit on an imaginary stool behind me; 2.) To allow my forearms to have a little more involvement in Pulling Taffy, Variation #2, Wrist Circles when doing the circles. I was only using my wrists to the point of making it look tense; and 3.) During Light at the Top of the Head and Light at the Top of the Temple, she suggested that I come up to more of a standing position before opening and closing the hands, so there is more room to sink down during the sinking part. Finally, thank you to Justin, who set this beautiful ball in motion. (P.S. I just sent my students the link to my YouTube video. How cool is that.)