Changes: Moving Along

If you have been involved in the T’ai Chi Chih (TCC) Community, you have undoubtably heard Justin mention that for our own spiritual growth we must learn to accord with impermanence. We have certainly had the chance during Covid-19.

Change is often hard because we get stuck in a comfort zone. Change can be uncomfortable if it doesn’t fit our plans. There are many reasons we don’t like change.

But change is often positive. In adjusting, we grow; we learn new things, new ways to be; we broaden our horizons. Often, it’s good. Look at how many of us learned Zoom and how grateful we are (after grumbling).

Many years ago, while planning our yearly conference, I was reviewing the program with Justin. During previous conferences we had no breakout sessions. But this particular conference committee wanted to try something new. So we planned some blocks of time with presentation choices. Justin was not particularly in favor, but he said okay.

During the first breakout session I was checking in to see how things were going. Justin was sitting off to one side, so I joined him. He too had been watching the groups. He commented on the value of smaller group discussions and liked what he heard. Since then, we have always had conference breakout sessions.

Intensives by Teacher Trainers were developed as an avenue for teacher candidates to prepare for accreditation. Justin was not in favor of making intensives mandatory. But, it was always strongly recommended for accreditation preparation. Even when candidates are well-prepared by their teachers, there is something to be said for immersing oneself in the 3½ day intensive. Also, working with other candidates builds confidence, support, and a comfort level for the process. Working with a trainer clarifies expectations for accreditation.

After the intensive course had been running a few years, Justin commented that new teachers were better prepared and moving better than in the past. The results were noticeable at the conference; intensives were making a difference.

The vast majority of candidates attend an intensive before accreditation. Those who don’t seem to struggle more. It had become evident to trainers, course hosts, and auditing teachers that intensives better prepare candidates for accreditation. In accordance with change, the intensive will now be a prerequisite to attending accreditation, and that it will produce better teachers, and make for a smoother and more joy-filled experience at accreditation.

Intensives and accreditation moved online during Covid-19. Even when we can plan in-person events, we will offer at least one intensive online annually. We hope this makes it easier for some to fulfill this requirement.

During this year of change April Leffler became an Assistant Teacher Trainer (a teacher trainer in training) and Steve Stevens joined the T’ai Chi Chih Foundation Board.

It has been a pleasure these past 15 months for teachers to practice and connect through Zoom on Tuesdays. It has uplifted our spirits. When my Tuesday TCC class resumed in early July, I thought I’d have to give up the teacher Zoom practices. But that felt like a black hole after all the time together. With our 2021 conference theme of “Continuing the Connection” it became obvious to continue our Tuesday connections. In keeping with change, going with the flow, and impermanence, I would like to slightly change the focus of our time together.

When we come together annually at a conference I hear, “wow, that’s a great idea” … “why don’t we do that” … “can we…?” But we return home and nothing happens; great ideas don’t take hold. We don’t have enough time together to make them blossom. I propose we come together on the second Saturday of each month, share a shorter practice, and make time to discuss. You bring a topic; I’ll bring a topic. We’ll put our heads together to make community-building ideas come to fruition. We love this community, but love needs to manifest into action. Watch the TCC Teacher Circle Facebook page for the new Zoom practice link.

May the theme of this year’s conference, “Continuing the Connection,” flow through our lives as we reconnect with students, visit family and friends, and open to the vastness and beauty of life through our practice of TCC.