Becoming an accredited T’ai Chi Chih teacher

After the first day of class [in the Berkeley, CA Teacher Training course], I was sure I knew nothing about T’ai Chi Chih. Then on the morning of the second day, while practicing the move Pulling Taffy, Ed came up in front of me and said softly, “There is nothing you are doing about this move that is correct.”

I studied the words for the move. I practiced. I asked for help, and advice. I worked diligently. The next morning, Ed said to me: “I can see some improvement.”

That afternoon he said he could see I was paying attention, but more work was still needed. I asked Pam Towne if she would teach me this move tomorrow morning as though I had never seen it before—I felt I needed to start from scratch. She agreed to meet me before class the next day. Then Wednesday evening each of us had our “talk” with Ed and Sandy. Ed said to me: “I am concerned with the way you do the side to side movements, especially in Pulling Taffy—concerned enough, you may not be accredited this week.”

My disappointment hit first, then anger, then, a phone call from my husband. He said, “Well, you could have continued doing the move as you were for another six months, or be where you now are, learning to do it correctly.”

Wow, he was right—those words started my thoughts off again in the right direction. I practiced and read more that evening. I let go of needing to be accredited this week—I knew I would be when the time was right.

That night I woke up thinking our room was on fire! I felt an intense heat in the center of my body radiating out through my arms, and fingers, my legs and toes. I threw the covers off, still partly asleep. I drifted back in slumber. Finally awaking fully at 5:00am., I got up to practice T’ai Chi Chih. When I began to move, these words were inside me somewhere: I am nothing, I am one with the Tao, the Chi moves me.

Thursday morning I felt so different. I met with Pam Towne and we had a beginner’s half-hour class. Then later, when we all began our practice together in class, soft music was playing. No one spoke. I began to cry. I could not stop. I continued to do the movements, with my nose running and tears running down my face. I began to feel a deep release, healing a long ago physical trauma to my lower body.

That afternoon during practice Ed said to me: “I am very encouraged by what I see.”

More practice, more reading. I went to class again early on Friday morning. Another student arrived shortly after I did. We spoke briefly. I explained what I was working on. She watched me and asked if I minded if she made a suggestion. I started to say please don’t, then felt, yes, it would be okay. Two things she said to me clicked—the rest of the move changed. After practicing this way three or four times, Ed walked in. He watched me doing the move, and said softly, “Well done.”

My heart leaped, but I was afraid to show it. I wasn’t exactly sure what he meant. I asked Pam. She said: “He means you have done what he asked you to do.” That afternoon, Ed and Sandy took me aside and told me I would be accredited tomorrow. I had done the work.

By stepping aside and allowing the Chi to flow, I received my own miracle. I am now an accredited T’ai Chi Chih teacher. Kindergarten is great—I can’t wait for the first grade!