A Room Of One’s Own Flows Effortlessly

BY DEBBIE COLE, SEVERN, MD

I just taught my first class in my new walk-in basement studio last night. After a year of not teaching, it was like a drink of cool water to a very thirsty woman. I ordered thick foam flooring (sports mat) and covered the ceiling and walls to section-off part of the basement. The flexibility can’t be matched, and I don’t have to pay a percentage of my fees to anyone else. My classes are modestly sized for now, since I only a portion of the basement is ready. But once the rest of the area is finished, I will be able to easily accommodate a class of 12 and more, and we’ll even have a bathroom downstairs. However, with those first six students my heart was already full. I ordered the special flooring on faith and told the Universe that I needed six students to pay for it. I’ll complete more as I can afford it; hopefully by Spring we’ll have three windows facing the woods and top-to-bottom windows in the double doors.

It certainly makes it easier to promote GKP books and other TCC items because I don’t have to cart everything to another studio. It’s set up ahead of time and doubles as a permanent storage area. Back issues of The Vital Force and Justin’s books and DVDs now have a permanent place that allows my students constant access to them. I handed out catalogs and postcards during the first class and let students know they can order directly from me. I look forward to more effectively using Good Karma resources, thereby enriching my students’ practice and overall T’ai Chi Chih experience.

Flowing & Brushing Softly In The Desert

BY ANN RUTHERFORD, ALBUQUERQUE, NM

There’s no doubt that Justin’s artistic sensibilities influenced the creation of T’ai Chi Chih. So this year, you will not want to miss the April 3-6 T’ai Chi Chih Retreat with Antonia in Albuquerque. Why? Because Antonia will bring paper, brushes, and ink to enhance our awareness of the similarity between Chinese/Japanese Brush Painting and T’ai Chi Chih movement. As Antonia says, “The movement of the brush starts in your heart, goes through your arm, through your fingers, all the way to the tip of the brush. It is important to be connected to your inner depth, influencing the energy and harmony of the whole. Let go of thinking and trust the process.” The Retreat will be held at the Dominican Retreat House, near the banks of the flowing Rio Grande River. Each participant receives a private room and a brush. The price is $260 per person and covers all meals – from Friday morning through Sunday lunch. Come flow (and brush) with us!

TCC on Television in Canada

BY SHEILA LEONARD, PBVM, ST. JOHN’S, CANADA

I was invited to demonstrate and promote T’ai Chi Chih on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s (CBC’s) Living Newfoundland with some of my students. CBC filmed about 20 minutes at one of our practice classes in October, and they edited it down to three-and-a-half minutes. There are lots of great movement shots and CBC did a good job adding subtitles about the benefits. The camera focused a great deal on the students, and I always say that my students are T’ai Chi Chih’s best advertisements! It aired recently and you can watch it on-line at is HYPERLINK “http://www.envision.ca/webs/taichichihnl”envision.ca/webs/taichichihnl. Perhaps it will give others courage to do something similar if you have the opportunity. You may even get brave and look for opportunities.

Teaching Young Athletes

BY SR. CARLETTA LACOUR, OP, HOUSTON, TX

After demonstrating some T’ai Chi Chih movements to the St. Pius X High School staff, the boy’s basketball coach asked me to practice with the team. I offered seven, 30-minute sessions to the three captains and was coached by their coach to offer only a few moves that would enhance their game and help build up muscles around the ankles. The young men were fast learners and excelled with balance and alignment. It was a privilege to practice with these fine young athletes.