Candidates respond after training

The two things that struck me the most was how emotionally intense the week was. I expected the physical intensity but I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised by the rest! The other thing was how many of us came together as strangers and within a few short days, we bonded and pulled for each other.

– Monique Beneteau

I was driving back to the city after the teachers training. With me were my two roomies from the training session. As we were talking I decided to change lanes to pass the car ahead of me. Without thinking I crouched lower in the car seat and turned from the t’an t’ien to shoulder check. I suddenly realized what I had just done and laughed out loud. My body had automatically drawn upon the familiarity of the Pulling Taffy movements to perform a different task. I discovered Joy Thru Movement while in the car!

– Janine Pidruchney

The week of accreditation was the most important event in my life, eclipsing giving birth, marriage and death of a close one. After having hovered at the edge so many times, finally breaking free, letting go of the baggage, was so empowering. Feeling one’s power for the first time (thanks for the growl, Athene!!!) puts so many other things about one’s life into a different perspective.

A month later, I have finally stumbled onto the technique of “pushing” the energy down from the T’an T’ien through the soles of the feet to ground. I finally know the feeling of truly grounding, not just the energy buzzing around the feet. Amazing!!! I am so much more open now to the insights received from my TCC practice.

At one of our practices by the lake, I stood behind and to the side of Ed. The sun, low in the sky, cast our shadows out in front. I found it very inspiring to follow the movement of his shadow. I use this technique alone at home when I practice with a dim lamp set at waist height and behind me to one side. This casts the shadow on the wall in front and to the side. One can easily check stance of the shadow without the total distraction of using a mirror.

Given my rocky start at accreditation, (yes, I was initially terrified of Ed!) the support of the other candidates and the auditing teachers was warm and generous. It was truly a safe time and place to be so vulnerable and to have others encouraging and helping you to find that unique way of making your own “leap of faith.” It was nothing at all like what I expected and so very much more. Thank you so much Ed, and all the teachers and candidates, especially those who saw my potential and insistently nudged me up and over. If you ever feel isolated as a teacher, I highly recommend auditing an accreditation to reconnect to the community.

I am so very grateful and still awed by the gift of the T’ai Chi Chih discipline.

– Cathy Brochu

Forwarded Letter

Greetings Ed. . . . Words can’t express my gratitude for the spirit and learning at our famous “camp site.” The study and reflection which I am doing re: the different aspects of this Practice really help me to set the tone for my day. I have been thirsty for this integrated approach to life for several years now. Isn’t it wonderful that Justin has put it out there for us?. . . It was wonderful to be with eager and focused candidates for a whole week. It was a great balance of work and fun even though you thought we were quite serious. I am giving special attention to the backward/forward bounce that I was into. It already feels more grounded. Am I an eager learner or what? I came away realizing that I will always be on the learners’ list which is quite consoling…I don’t have to set a goal to know it all by such and such a date.

Thanks for your “non-guru” approach! When people turn facilitators into “gurus” it is so dangerous. I send you unifying energy and lots of warm gratitude,

– Margot Fish, OSU