Gratitude For Teachers

I’ve had the honor to work with wonderful T’ai Chi Chih teachers and am especially grateful for two. Laurie Jacobi, the epitome of kindness and grace, was my first teacher and the reason I became a teacher. I am also grateful to Bonnie Sokolov who stood behind me – literally – through accreditation.

Accreditation week is a beautiful and stressful time in the lifecycle of becoming a teacher. During my accreditation I could not feel Working the Pulley and really struggled with it – for hours. Bonnie watched me and gave me pointers on how to move my legs, waist and hands. Yet still I could not get it. My arms were everywhere except where they needed to be. Finally, Bonnie stood close behind me. I could feel her and finally – moving together – my body understood how to flow through this movement. 

With every Working the Pulley movement since I was accredited in 2005, I have felt Bonnie’s presence, especially in the darkest times of my life. She has carried me when I could not stand, and all I needed to do was Working the Pulley. 

At the recent TCC conference in Philadelphia, Bonnie led a morning practice with others. I was in a Bonnie sandwich and it was uplifting. I am grateful for teachers whose passion surround their students with love and Chi.