Inevitable Misinterpretation

The following article appeared in the September issue of The Tahoe World newspaper. I would like to make a few suggestions on getting articles about yourself and your classes published.

First, skim through old papers and see which writers grab your attention, who is exciting and interesting to read? The local Parks & Recreation Department will give you the names of writers they have used for their programs and sports events. If the sports writer is unavailable (they are usually the busiest) then ask for names of “human interest”, “local-neighbor,” or special events and interviews section writers.

Next, call your chosen writer and get a one hour appointment. I bring a folder of useable paragraphs, separate spelling list, photos, and a schedule of upcoming classes. Avoid using your home phone number if your recreation department will handle registration.

I suggest giving your writer 1½ months lead time before your next class–a ½ month to write the article and 1 month for the paper. A publication date of two weeks before class is ideal.

No matter what you say or give your writer there will be some misrepresentations of T’ai Chi Chih, as you can read below. Overall, the PR is helpful and exciting.

Good luck!

– Teen

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T’ai Chi Chih: An Oriental Art Form In Motion

By Robert Frohlich

There are many misconceptions in the world, but none seem to be as great as our ideas about the martial arts. Being bad is being in; Rambo, Norris, Schwarzamonster. Even the other evening when viewing Pale Rider, a western that takes place in the 1870s, Clint Eastwood, Dirty Harry himself, picks up a hickory stick and starts practicing kendo on the faces of half a dozen mangy and mean cowboys.

Actually, at least I suppose, most forms of the martial arts should be a blending of mind and body, of which great skill and wisdom can be achieved. It, therefore, always struck me as a bit perplexing that the majority of students just wanted to jump in there and start dishing out a little pain in the form of kicks, grunts, and punches. What’s with the mayhem and what happened to the rich blend of mind and body?

Well, actually, it’s not that far away. In fact, starting in October, it’s going to be taught in Tahoe City. It’s called T’ai Chi Chih. Christine Sproehnle, a graduate of Truckee High and University of California-Santa Barbara, is the instructress.

Recently, Sproehnle, who received her accreditation as a T’ai Chi Chih instructor over two years ago, hosted a national instructor seminar at Squaw Valley. Students and teachers including the only two T’ai Chi Masters in the country, Justin Stone and Steve Ridley, visited the Tahoe area from as far away as New York and Colorado.

“T’ai Chi is a moving meditation,” says Sproehnle simply, “That’s probably a main reason for its growth. Westerners are movers; sitting meditation, something like Transcendental Meditation has fallen away because it’s difficult to quiet the mind by just sitting. When there is movement it’s a bit easier to focus on the movements themselves.”

Based on the ancient principles of T’ai Chi Ch’un, a Chinese yoga of 108 movements over a thousand years old, that influenced the disciplines of karate and aikido, T’ai Chi Chih was developed by Justin Stone and first taught in 1974.

“T’ai Chi Chih consists of 20 simple, repetitive, nonstrenuous movements which involve no physical contact,” explains Sproehnle, “but rather emphasize a soft, flowing continuity of motion. It can be performed by anyone, regardless of age or physical condition. The substantial benefits of the movements are suprisingly easy to realize with regular practice. It really has a balancing effect on physical health and helps improve breathing, circulation, and flexibility. Besides, being a meditation, it is considered a path towards spiritual enlightenment.”

Spiritual enlightenment aside, many devotees have stated that they like T’ai Chi Chih because no beliefs are needed and words play no part in successful practice. Sproehnle says that many students begin to feel the flow of chi (breath energy, vital force) within the first class session. All 20 movements of T’ai Chi Chih can be taught in 10 lessons.

“It’s non-martial, but works on weight control and balance,” explains Sproehnle, “I lost 12 pounds when I first picked it up and it has really helped my skiing.” Sproehnle raced for Truckee High School, is a former Far West A card holder, has taught skiing, and won the overall Town League Championship. “T’ai Chi helps you gain a center balance, something intrinsic in skiing,” she says.

T’ai Chi Chih classes will begin Oct. 1 with a demonstration at the Tahoe City Community Center which is next to the fire station in downtown Tahoe City. The first class will begin on Monday, Oct. 6. For more information, call the Tahoe City Community Center.

“T’ai Chi is the most popular form of exercise in China,” concludes Sproehnle. “You can be in a wheelchair and still do it. I just had a 75-year-old woman in a class of mine. Its movements create a system towards physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. If anything, it will keep you from kicking the cat.”