Folsom TCC Class At Relay For Life, Summer 2018

Complied by Julie Heryet, El Dorado, California

For the first time since I’ve been teaching at Folsom State Prison, the men in the T’ai Chi Chih class approached me about entering Folsom’s Annual Relay for Life to raise funds for Cancer. The TCC Foundation provided grant money to enter and we created two teams: T’ai Chi Chih – Circles of Light and Folsom Moving Meditation. We set up a table near the track to offer handouts describing the class and the benefits of TCC, articles about the class, quotations from my students and instructions on how to sign up.

My class had also been asked to perform a TCC demonstration. During the weeks before the event, the men shared their concerns, as we’d be on display like never before: “I know people are going to laugh” … “I’m really, really, nervous about this” … “I’ve never been this nervous in my entire life.” I responded, “After all the scary stuff you guys have been through, in addition to living in a prison?” Heads nodded. I reminded them that through their TCC practice they had learned to stay grounded, breathe and act instead of react.

It is hard for outsiders to understand what one’s image means in the prison environment. The gang tensions dominating many inner cities are prevalent in the prison system as well, and especially between races. This divided culture can make it very difficult for inmates to engage in self-improvement programs. To do TCC in front of peers – participating in a group of people of different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds – was to take a big risk. Not just the risk of being laughed at (“Bird Flaps it’s Wings” was definitely out), but the possibility of more serious consequences.

Leading up the event we focused on the movements we’d share: Rocking Motion, Bass Drum, Carry the Ball to the Side and Push Pull. We practiced one movement nine times in our large circle, and then the group turned and faced outward and did the movement nine more times without looking at anyone else. This process seemed to help them build self-confidence, self-reliance and block out distractions.

Then came the big day. Inmates came over to ask about the class and pick up our literature. The yard was very full and several of students stayed near the table with Mari and me. The demonstration went splendidly. We were all in sync and moved softly and slowly. Their relief at being done was short lived, though. Someone recording the day’s events asked if we’d do it again so they could record it. Some students felt they’d just survived a harrowing experience, but what an honor and opportunity for our class – to be recorded in front of the general population. Everyone participated and they did beautifully again. A few onlookers made silly comments, but most guys reported that after the demo quite a few inmates asked about the class.

When we processed the experience, one inmate, who had been in an adult prison since the age of 16, said it was the hardest thing he’d ever done. But he was glad he’d done it. All were very proud to have overcome their fears and shared with the general population something that has been so transformative for them.

Weeks after the event, one student came into class grinning from ear-to-ear. “Guess what?” he shared, “The video of our TCC demo at the Relay for Life is being shown on the Prison TV channel several times a week!” Again, everyone had something to celebrate and be proud of.

What each of my students’ experienced was priceless: the value of facing fears and overcoming them, a sense of self-respect and pride, and not only having their TCC demonstration recorded, but also shown to the entire prison population on TV. The students are grateful to T’ai Chi Chih for providing this experience and feel blessed to belong to a practice community that offers them an entirely different identity than that of an inmate. They are TCC students and practitioners.

I’m kinda quiet. [The men smile; a few nod encouragingly.] But I really enjoy this class and the people in it. I enjoy the beautiful energy all around me while I’m here. It brings peace of mind and calm and serenity to my life. It helps me deal with being in prison and being away from my family. It’s hard to describe in words but I do my best. I am fairly new to the class and still have a lot to learn, but I’m looking forward to carrying what I’ve learned back home to my family and community. Thank you for this wonderful teaching and practice. – Brian R.