Accreditation, May 2014, Philadelphia, PA: It Takes A Village

The T’ai Chi Chih community is truly supportive in nature. Whether one is a teacher candidate, auditor, host or trainer, ultimately we are all still TCC students, part of a larger community. As the host, I had the privilege of witnessing the group’s transformation. It was wonderful to see people going deeper into the practice and to tweak and delve deeper into my own practice. Auditors focused on their own form while assisting when needed. Below are some comments:

“I knew the accreditation would be demanding. My teachers had prepared me for that and had told me how supportive everyone would be. It wasn’t just the support I received, it was the dedication, commitment and caring this community offered each other. Whatever path I take, this experience will always be with me. Daniel’s sincere guidance brought real meaning to Justin’s words, and to the practice and spirituality of TCC that cannot be found in a manual.” – Deanne Borrie

here

move on

the journey

has begun and

never ends

t’ai chi

chih

– Deanne Borrie

calm

stillness

awareness

the energy

within me

unfolds

now

– Deanne Borrie

“Auditing for the entire week was especially meaningful. Not only was my wife a candidate, but a long-time student and a student who’d asked me for coaching were there. As the week unfolded, it was thrilling to see the candidates blooming. It was also a treat to hear Dan’s refinements, which deepened my own practice. What a privilege and joy to share this week with the candidates, now fellow teachers. – Jim Kaib

“Such a spirit of joy in learning, made easy by seamless organizing that enabled us to float through the schedule until, suddenly, the near-week was over. A deep sense of purpose and patience was due, I think, not only to the expert guidance of our trainer and host (and greatly enhanced by the presence and wisdom of auditing teachers) but also to our commitment to “keep TCC pure.” Surely there is no better foundation for effective teaching than careful practice, working with principles, being diligent about encouraging proper form, and seeking the least resistant path for the Chi. And we had such fun doing it with continuous reverence and love. An amazing invitation to continue inviting others to the Chi.” – Nancy Daniel

“I leave feeling I need more work than when I arrived – in a good way: As if I am more aware and have more tools. Today really feels like I am leaving New Jersey, even more than when the moving van headed south (a week before we started this accreditation). The first thought upon waking this morning: “Go forth and multiply.” – Linda Jones

“Through the week, my practice was polished and blossomed, and I walked through a door feeling newly ready to be with and trust the vital force with humility and courage.” – M. Lynne Jones-Dietze

“An unforgettable experience of community and emotions. Flowing upstream like a salmon. Thanking Daniel for “rocking my boat.” Learning the deeper meaning of impermanence makes one realize this form is a lifetime commitment to keep pure and polished. Struggling to incorporate tweaks into movements at the beginning of the week, one realizes that happens over time and when ready, you will proceed. Finding myself struggling to massage tweaks into place through the week caused strife in my practice. Letting go was relearned. Thinking that being here said my movements were correct. Now one needs to make them more correct. It is amazing how the following week these tweaks seemed to flow into my practice along with the voices from all the wonderful teachers and trainer. Almost like being in class still.

In Daniel Pienciak, one could feel desire to transfer his experience and knowledge to us to absorb. His stories brought more clarity to subjects that might have been a little fuzzy. Everything flowed without a hiccup, and host April Leffler may want to offer a class on hosting.

The most gratitude is saved for my original teacher, Jean Markey, for keeping me going and polishing off the rough spots as my absorption improves through all the practices. Being the bamboo bending in the storm without breaking, deciding to change a zero into a one, saying yes to the opportunity of a TCC class many years ago…. All this became clearer than ever when returning home and finding an article from Anita Vestal in the latest Vital Force as she said yes to TCC in York, Pennsylvania, to one of Jean’s students. One person did change the world. We are just a part of the immense result. To anyone wondering how he or she can change the world, here is your turn: Say yes to TCC and let the teacher within you come out to play.” – Jack Weaver