Edmonton teacher training graduates 16 with help from 16 auditing teachers

As one of the three organizers of the recent T’ai Chi Chih Teacher Training held at Camp Van-Es (outside Edmonton) I look back on our week together with a mixture of relief, gratitude, and appreciation. First and foremost is the great sense of relief in having gotten through the week with it’s challenges ranging from the physical comforts of the campers (cabins too hot or too cold, food problems, backed up shower drains, etc.) to the emotionally charged “backroom” meetings among ourselves to find solutions to unexpected obstacles. Yes, there were difficulties, but together we rode them out and resurfaced at the end of the week with an even greater appreciation for each other’s uniqueness and contribution to the success of the training. Tamara and Yvette I give you my greatest thanks for a job well done.

My gratitude to nature for providing beautiful sunny days and sparkling nights (with an assortment of porcupines, coyotes, moose, hawks, woodpeckers and shore birds) goes beyond words. I highly recommend a camp or retreat setting for hosting a teacher training and the opportunity it affords in letting nature help reconnect us to who we really are.

And finally, I’d like to express my enormous appreciation not only to Ed for his gentle guidance and wonderful corrections, but to all the auditors (16 in all) who came from near and far and added so much to the training. Whether spending time giving the teacher candidates extra help or quietly working on their own movements, their presence was very much enjoyed and appreciated.

To all the candidates who worked so hard and went through so much together I congratulate you and celebrate your achievement. I look forward to seeing many of you throughout the year ahead, and all of you at the next conference!

– Margo Carpenter
Course Co-Host

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This week was significant to me not only as a first time auditor but also as a member of the hosting trio.

From my observation, the week began remarkably well for the 16 teacher candidates! From the outset, Ed was able to create an atmosphere that was most conducive to learning. The candidates appeared attentive yet relaxed and comfortable, freely asking questions of Ed and enjoying his humor. I had expected the candidates to be as subdued and tense as I was on the first day of my training but was pleasantly surprised! Perhaps there was also some comfort in the fact that almost as many auditors were present to assist, coach and share their expertise during the week.

As the week progressed, it was fascinating to observe the bonding that began to glue some “cabin-mates” into what appeared the beginning of lasting friendships. No doubt the intimacy of shared space, laughter, tears, triumphs and flowing Chi allowed it all to happen!

I am grateful to Margo for her leadership in coordinating this event and to Tamara for sharing her skills. To the teacher candidates and auditors who braved the rustic camp setting, thank you for trusting in our hospitality. Many thanks Ed for the opportunity to enrich my practice, enhance my teaching skills and confirm the value of periodically auditing T’ai Chi Chih Teacher Training.

– Yvette Bowman
Course Co-Host

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This was the first time that I had the opportunity to audit a T’ai Chi Chih training. What an enriching experience! I could work at refining and deepening my own practice while working alongside teacher candidates and auditors. It was such a pleasure to watch Ed Altman lead the practices and learn from the softness which he models for us all. Ed’s gentle but firm reminders during his teaching sessions served to reinforce and reconfirm for me the fundamental principles of T’ai Chi Chih practice. I found myself comparing my reactions to my own training and the training which unfolded during this week. I felt somewhat envious because there were so many long time accredited teachers present from whom to learn including Roberta Taggart and Sandy McAlister and even Ed’s approach to teaching appeared to be more mellow.

The candidates worked hard all week at refining their movements and redefining for themselves the essence of T’ai Chi Chih practice. It was with amazement that I observed great transformations and growth and it was interesting to notice my own. The main message throughout the week was letting go of expected form and allowing the Chi to flow.

Working together with Margo Carpenter and Yvette Bowman in the process of organizing this event was another learning opportunity for me. I valued greatly Margo’s experience in organizing such events in the past. The lovely fall weather at the camp with relatively mild temperatures certainly were factors to be greatly thankful for — we could have had snow which would have altered the experience somewhat. Throughout the challenges of the week I felt supported and uplifted by our common goal to share and pass on T’ai Chi Chih practice. With much gratitude to all who attended,

– Tamara Zujewskyj
Course Co-Host