Joy Among the Redwoods is the theme of TCC Teachers’ Retreat in CA

The Bay Area T’ai Chi Chih teacher’s retreat was a great success. We headed into the Santa Cruz Mountains leaving the city and our daily cares behind. Our anticipation of a joyful and replenishing weekend grew as we wound our way through the redwoods and finally entered the Sequoia Seminar grounds. We found ourselves surrounded by majestic redwood trees and we could feel the magic of this very special place begin our transformation right away.

Our little three person cabins seemed to sprout right out of the forest floor and promised us a peaceful sleep for the next two nights. We gathered in Las Alas Lodge for our first practice on Friday afternoon. It was easy to match the feeling of tranquility in this moving space as we stood in front of the huge stone fireplace and gazed at the sweeping view of the forest through floor to ceiling windows. Some enthusiastic teachers brought in prayer flags, statues, Tibetan bowls, books, Zen cards, candles, pictures, pillows and blankets to further soothe the soul and claim this little part of the world as ours for the weekend. Even one of Justin Stone’s paintings graced our walls. Now all that was needed was the deep and cohesive T’ai Chi Chih practice that followed and we were off on our inner adventure.

We shared this “all teachers” retreat with 31 of our fellow teachers from Northern and Southern California, Oregon, Arizona, of course Hawaii, and even Pennsylvania. Nancy Adams commented on how worthwhile it was for her to travel from the East Coast to the retreat not only for the information she received but also for meeting and becoming connected with teachers in another teaching community. It was our good fortune to have all three of our teacher trainers there with Ed Altman leading us and Sandy McAlister (also a Co-Host) and Pam Towne volunteering their assistance.

There was a gentle flow to the weekend as we exchanged teaching tips and experiences and some of our favorite quotes. We spent a lot of time on movements and made many refinements to our practices. Ed helped us in developing a critical eye, answering our desire to improve our teaching skills. He showed us ways in which we and our students might further explore our practices. We did the Jing, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed learning “Joy Joy Healing through Joy.” It was made clear that the Movement Review Checklist is not intended for distribution to or the teaching of general students. Sandy discussed and demonstrated the use of the checklist as a tool for teachers to evaluate their teacher candidates in preparation for teacher training. When asked for a show of hands of those who thought the Movement Review Checklist was of value to them, nearly all of the teachers raised their hands. Pam spoke to Justin’s concern that how we move is the most important part of T’ai Chi Chih practice with an emphasis on properly yinning and yanning, flowing from the center, and moving with softness. Justin’s presence was acknowledged and felt by all as we knew he was the reason we were all here together.

We accomplished much but as Judith Schwartz put it, “Softness has been the keyword for this inspiring, deepening, expansive weekend.” Ed led us through the movements, helping us to feel and understand greater levels of the flow of qi [chi]. He guided us into opening the pathways and making room for a freer flow of qi. He helped us find and let go of tension so that we could accommodate and feel the support of the qi. As the weekend progressed, it was apparent that we were learning this lesson as we moved to ever-greater levels of softness and letting go.

Sandy McAlister said, “The weekend retreat was such a lovely time of being with wonderful people who care about our T’ai Chi Chih practice. It was heartening to hear teachers comment that through Ed’s guidance they were able to sense places of tension in their bodies that they hadn’t realized were there. And through awareness, they were able to let go of the tension, allowing the body and T’ai Chi Chih movement to flow in a way they had never experienced before. Ed’s approach to finding tension and releasing it gives me another tool to use as a teacher to help my students, enabling them to flow effortlessly.”

Commenting on the weekend, Bev Geiger said, “I’m surprised and grateful to find new softness and comfort in the legs and to feel it throughout the body.” Pam Towne said, “A new level of softness became available in my practice!” And echoing most of our feelings, Elizabeth Tyler said, “I am leaving with a softer and more powerful practice.”

Among the favorite quotations shared was one written by Hafiz:

After all these years
The sun never tells the Earth
You owe me.
Imagine what a love like that can do.
It lights the whole sky.

This sentiment seemed to be reflected in the light shining from the faces of the 31 dedicated and joyous participants in the room.

We gathered together in a clearing among the redwoods for our final practice. We encircled a large medicine wheel. A giant lone redwood stood towering over us within the clearing. It stood just to our side, almost a part of our circle. As we began to move we were engulfed by the silence and stillness. The vast rootedness of the forest surrounded us and drew us deep into the earth. The intense flow of qi from the gentle giants promised to support us. We had only to let go. As we sank further and further into our practice, a profound experience was available to us. As we let go, we were deeply connected at the soles of the feet and above we were floating effortlessly through the movements. We were filled with joy and gratitude.