First TCC event in Sitka, AK draws 21 eager students from all over the state

Course Instructor Sandy McAlister came to rainy Sitka from sunny Hayward, California. Her first words at the Sitka airport were, “It is so green!”

On Saturday, June 28, 2003, at 8:30 AM, 21 Sitkans gathered at the SEARHC Community Health Services building in Sitka to learn more about T’ai Chi Chih practice. They were joined by five more people from Petersburg, Alaska who traveled 14 hours by ferry boat. Besides Sandy, we had three teachers and one teacher candidate.

At the end of the day, most participants said they received plenty of information and “tools” that they could absorb at their own level. They mentioned coming away with new ways of understanding how to move. Comments reflected the diversity of experience in the group. Student Lois Chambers said it was “her first” TCC workshop. Teacher Martina Kurzer wrote: “Sandy gave insight and advice to further deepen my practice. I learned and even had to reevaluate an entire movement.” Student Joann Torgeson “liked the theme of introducing tools that we could use at home to encourage flow in our T’ai Chi Chih practice.” Student Laura Ramp said, “It’s great to practice with a large group. Even though the information is basically the same, it’s nice to hear it a different way.”

When asked if there was enough or not enough time spent on TCC practice, Student Kathy Ingallinera felt, “It is nice to start the day with a brief practice to loosen us up and so Sandy could see what she was up against. I liked breaking down each move and working the individual parts before ‘perfecting’ the move.” Teacher Steve Morse experienced “a day full of valuable instruction and several surprises.” He went on to reflect, “What a great T’ai Chi Chih community (we have) in Southeast Alaska.” Student Polly Lee “especially appreciated the time and demos on correct posture while doing the T’ai Chi (Chih) leg movements.” Student Doris Smith wrote, “Actually I learned meaningful things that hadn’t gotten thru to me in 10 years.”

For myself, I made more progress toward “flowing from the center.” I took home a greater appreciation of the importance of going back to the base — the stance — with the knees being bent or soft, but always moving.

Comments on Sandy’s teaching style were very positive. Frequent remarks were: “Very respectful”, “She listened” and “She used gentle guidance.” Student Anne Lewis felt Sandy was “very easy to understand.”

Lunch was catered with soup and bread with wonderful salads brought by a few participants. It was nice to not break up the group at mid-day.

At the end of the afternoon, the sun came out (first time in several days). We had a full, wonderful practice.

A Teacher’s Prep class was held Saturday evening and early Sunday morning for four people. Each told me later that the individual attention Sandy gave them was very valuable. They also said that it was invaluable to learn in greater detail about the process of becoming a teacher. We talked about how “going out” (of Alaska) for intensive training and/or a retreat is very important for those of us in remote areas.

I believe that workshops and retreats, plus going to Teacher’s Conference, are necessary to my going deeper in my understanding or feeling of TCC movements. As Student Joyce Krohn said at the Teacher’s Prep class, “Why do any other form when this has all the necessary elements to move (circulate) the energy?”