College Students’ Experiences from Learning TCC

Editor’s Note: This is a continuation (from the February Vital Force) of April Leffler’s student’s journals from her T’ai Chi Chih class at Widener University in Chester, Pennsylvania, where April has been teaching TCC for PhysEd credit since 2008.

Journal 8

This is the first week back from Spring Break and I am pretty stress-free. During the break I showed my older sister some of our new movements. She had trouble bending her knees when shifting the weight, but she felt the difference between leaning forward versus standing straight, it got better.

Journal 9

Our social media paper is due this week. I learned more about TCC than I thought I would. For example, Ms. April explained that some people live longer and are healthier overall because of TCC, but it surprised me that TCC could medically help someone’s immune system. TCC kinda helps me relax and clear my mind from the B.S. during the week. Ms. April is a kind, cool and fun person; I’m glad she’s the instructor for this class. If I do the movements outside of class I always hear her voice in my head telling me to “bring the attention to the soles of your feet, get out of your head.” It may seem weird but that helps me become more comfortable with doing the movements. – by Kaitlyn G.

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Week 5

This week I learned about the tan t’ien, the center of the energy in the body, and how it helps us in TCC. When practicing on my own I really focus on flowing through the tan t’ien and moving with it. And I noticed how much more fluent my moves were.

Week 6

This week I really enjoyed how we put the movements together for a long session because I haven’t done it before. I noticed that the sensation I normally feel in my hands and feet, I felt throughout my entire body this time. I’m not going to lie: it was a pretty cool feeling. I tried to find that again this week but couldn’t. Overall TCC has really relaxed my life and made me slow down and think about a situation before freaking out. – by Nolan C.

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Taking TCC as a gym class was something different. When I first heard the benefits, I thought it was complete crap. But when you said it could help with anxiety and depression, it got my attention. I have been dealing with both for about seven years, and it has always been a struggle. I decided to give TCC an honest chance because maybe it would help. I am so happy to say that it really has. Focusing on something other than my many problems is so relieving. TCC has become an extension of my therapy and treatment. I would recommend this class to anyone dealing with the same things because it has helped so much. – by Selena G.

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I learned so much about TCC from researching the paper. It’s amazing how much more of an effect TCC has on improving depression – much more than anti-depressants. This is especially true in the elderly. I found this so fascinating. TCC is scientifically proven to drastically benefit mental health. I am two years from becoming a social worker, three years from becoming a clinical social worker, one year from an internship, and I currently work as a pharmacy technician. I love my job very much but am more passionate about helping people improve their state of life and making them feel the best they can, whether it’s through drug therapy or TCC. I love learning methods I will be able to incorporate into my professional career. When I took TCC as a gym requirement, I never thought it would be something I could use long-term, or recommend to patients and friends around me. I’m shocked at how much I enjoy and value this class, and am thankful I swapped yoga for it at the last minute. – by Jackie M.

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My body feels warm

From the inside out

My hands sweat as if I can feel

Every fiber of my fingers coming alive.

My headache alleviates,

My neck curves just the right amount.

I feel vibrations of the ground’s power

Coming to help me.

I want to feel like this every day.

– Paige M.