I’m not ready to leave!

Driving along the coast to Santa Barbara, and then onto the peaceful grounds of La Casa de Maria retreat center, the things “of the world” began fading away. Seventeen teachers and students gathered under the stately oaks, sycamores, and eucalyptus trees with the common intention of deepening our Tai Chi Chih practice. As the group practiced outside before dinner, there was more letting go. After the practice, an almost instant rapport and sense of community seemed to spring up during the last-minute food preparation and the enjoyment of our potluck dinner. At the evening gathering, we looked at how to get the most out of this weekend together, including “emptying the cup” so that we might “fill the well of the heart.” The dormitory setting seemed to enhance our sense of camaraderie as we retired to our comfortable bunks.

Saturday brought lots of TCC practice and refining the movements. Course leader Pam Towne led the group with great softness and sureness. Our thanks go out to her for her gentle encouragement and thoughtful corrections, and for her obvious joy in watching our gradual transformations. The emphasis was on how to move, flowing from the center in softness and continuity, yinning and yanging correctly while focusing in the soles of the feet, and applying the principles of circularity and polarity. We ended the day with sacred circle dancing, which deepened our sense of connection with each other.

Sunday began with a very special early morning practice led by teacher Roberta Taggert. After breakfast, we again worked with Pam on refining the movements and then followed that up with a final outdoor practice. Idaho teacher Sandy Smail echoed our thoughts when she lamented, “I’m not ready to leave!” It seemed that we had just arrived, and it was hard for us to scatter and depart.