Joy on the Mountaintop: Conference Responses

18th International T’ai Chi Chih Teacher’s Conference — August 29 – September 1, 2003 — The Banff Centre, Banff, Alberta, CANADA

Conference Responses

What a privilege it has been to have experienced my first international TCC Conference in beautiful Banff. In this magnificent setting (wrapped in the chi of gigantic mountains), I experienced a heightened awareness of what I have long believed: that we are all swimming in what our hearts are thirsting for: inner/outer peace, joy & beauty.

I found it here through a loving & helpful TCC Community (such presence & attentiveness especially from the Conference Committee).

The presentations from passionate teachers & the practice sessions have inspired me to keep refining my practice & teaching — to keep discovering a world of mystery & possibility flowing within & around. Yes. May the Joy of the Mountain flow into all the nooks & crannies of our daily lives. Gratefully,

– Sr. Mary Smith
Portland, OR
(First-time Attendee)

Surrounded by the majesty and beauty of the Canadian Rockies was the frosting on the cake to the Banff T’ai Chi Chih Conference. What beauty and the energy of the mountains circled and supported us in our learning and deepening of our movements. I was very appreciative of the breakout groups and presentations. They focused on and helped me to deepen my awareness & knowledge of groundedness, softness & continuity and flowing from the center.

The whole conference flowed cohesively around these themes. I took them to my TCC practice and into my life.

I am so glad I was able to attend this superb conference. Thank you Chery Ann & Louise and your team.

– Judy Mirczak
Hadley, NY

I wrote this poem during the journaling workshop!

DAUGHTER IN THE MOUNTAINTOP

You welcomed me with open arms.
My chest beamed with your presence —
cheery and kind.

Rooted deep below, I trusted
the ever opening above —
My Heart responding
JOY.

Such richness within touched
inside me. A subtle
profound sharing.

A mountain, a daughter
become one.
Which am I?
[/poem]

– Diana Bahn
New York, NY
(First-time Attendee)

My first T’ai Chi Chih teachers’ conference! Recharged and renewed — it was priceless being around so many inspiring teachers, sharing insights and ideas. I feel as though I’m about to go home and teach my very first class ever — full of enthusiasm and passion, full of new ideas. Coming here has confirmed the importance of a community and I look forward to the conferences to come, and my feet look forward to being told how much they’re loved far more often! Thank you to all the wonderful people who put so much of their love and energy into making this conference such a success!

– Shilo Crawford
Invermere, BC, CANADA
(First-time Attendee)

The conference was just awesomely glorious. The softness experienced while moving from the centre just takes one’s breath away. To be aware of the stillness that has always been there… Joy has truly been experienced on the mountaintop. To take one’s practise from the exterior and into the interior of oneself has truly been a long, but very rewarding journey that has only just begun to begin.

Thank you one and all to those who have contributed to make this conference simply the best. Love in chi,

– Byron Gill
Christopher Lake, SK, CANADA
(First-time Attendee)

A wonderful gathering of the Chi in a gorgeous location on the Mountaintop. To gather with fellow teachers is a blessing.

– Nancy Beck
Lubbock, TX
(First-time Attendee)

In this BETTER THAN BEST conference I have learned to respect my practice, respect my self, and respect the entire T’ai Chi Chih Community. I spell respect:

Relaxation
Expect nothing
Softness – continuity
Perfect alignment
Essential movement only
Centered
Total surrender

– Holly Davis
Rancho Mirage, CA

It was such a joy to be part of the 2003 T’ai Chi Chih Teachers’ Conference. I experienced bonding and a newness. I am deeply grateful to Justin for sharing the gift of TCC Joy Thru Movement. I heard about the TCC Conference, but to be part of it was something I’d never dreamed of. I wish to acknowledge and to thank all my TCC teachers who supported me in my desire to become a TCC teacher. This is only the beginning. I willingly choose to be a learner. I want to remain open and to yield to TCC Joy Thru Movement.

– Sr. Cecile St. Remy
Broken Arrow, OK
(First-time Attendee)

This year’s conference was powerful! A time for reflection and journaling, movement, friendship & great food! This year the committee outdid themselves. It was well thought out. I’m grateful.

Always a student open to learn, I will be working on all my movements, applying all I heard. Let me share some notes:

* What does it mean to flow? Yield.
* When you feel tension, yield. Water yields.
* Do less, not more.
* Move like a lava lamp. Visualize.
* If you want to move softly, start with your legs.
* Have a hunger that fuels my enthusiasm.
* Power of inner sincerity cannot be taught.
* It’s a solo journey.
* Let go & the universe will show you the way.
* Integrity is the basis for joy.

Justin’s video was helpful. Three things he invited us to work on: 1) Circularity 2) Polarity 3) Weight Shift.

Needless to say, I have much to work on. I am recommitted & excited to work on my movements.

Thank you, Ed & Noel. Thank you, Chery Ann & committee. Love and peace to all. The only way to true peace, acceptance and great power is through STILLNESS.

– Judy George
Roseville, MN

Thank-you so much to the conference committee for making my first conference such a wonderful experience in an amazing setting.

Our “Joy on the Mountaintop”, however, was marred by the surprising & saddening announcements by Ed, Noel & Jean.

Justin will have a hard time finding a person with the dedication, the commitment & the selflessness of Ed to carry forth TCC Joy Thru Movement in a pure form.

I wish to thank Ed, Noel & Jean for their tireless work on behalf of the TCC Community, and to wish them all happy chi on their journey onward.

– Terri Manuck
Salt Spring Island, BC, CANADA
(First-time Attendee)

This Banff Conference for TCC Teachers has been magnificent — not only the scenery, but the joy of being in the midst of wonderful teachers. There was lots of tension — learning to “yield” as Ed said. Letting the emotion run — release — coming back to “What is my purpose and what do I need to do next?”

As always, the food was too good. The individual breakouts were great — journaling for my practice was a new and great experience; partner practice was new as it is about “me,” not the person I was working with.

Thank you to Ed, Noel and Jean for all the work they have done for the TCC Community. I know they are not gone, but I will miss their presence in the capacity each held.

Justin’s video was good to see twice.

– Nancy Jo Bleier
Sitka, AK

The conference committee did a great job — they kept us grounded and provided a supportive atmosphere for our T’ai Chi Chih practice. I want to thank Ed & Noel for being great role models for me as they have truly allowed their T’ai Chi Chih practice to spill out into their daily lives. I thank Ed for teaching me about my T’ai Chi Chih practice and sincerity. No fear. Trust.

– Nancy Werner-Azarski
Minneapolis, MN

Presentations by diverse, excellent teachers made this conference program especially rich and helpful.

The bombshell was Ed’s announcement of his retirement, followed by Noel’s, and by Jean’s retirements. At first I had to lie down on the grass under the aspen trees to get centered again. But overnight I found a sense of calmness and continuity in the community. I hope we will be able to build on the structures and systems that these leaders have developed, so our organization can grow. Over my years of experience I’ve come to appreciate the sheltering, nurturing capability of structure.

I trust our community to keep nurturing joy. As we yield to the Tao, and make ourselves soft, we will find more energy and love. In peace,

– Stephanie Bass
Raleigh, NC

I’m very proud to be a part of the T’ai Chi Chih Community, that we could experience such sorrow at our great loss and yet such joy in our unity. From my heart, thank you Ed. Thank you Noel. Thank you Jean.

– Athene Mantle
Hayward, CA

Bouquets of gratitude, love and joy to Chery Ann and the planning committee of this 18th TCC Teachers’ Conference. Every aspect of our stay was marvelous. It was truly Joy on the Mountain Top!

I’ve attended most of the conferences over the past 10 years and they get better and better. I especially enjoyed the tips to better practice and to more effective teaching of the TCC form (Applying TCC Principles, Teaching & Learning Strategies, and Partner Practice).

What could have been depressing turned into an opportunity for joy in expectation. News of the retirement of Jean Katus from Good Karma, Noel Altman from The Vital Force and Ed Altman from the position of the Head of the TCC Community, was delivered with clarity, compassion and conviction that all will be well. Since we trust the movement of the CHI in our practice, we trust its movement in our community. All of the above is a great tribute to the teachings of one Justin Stone to whom I am most grateful.

– Sr. Alice Holden
San Antonio, TX

This year’s conference was exceptionally well-planned. And even though we unexpectedly learned from Ed of his retirement as Head of the T.C.C. Community, the sense of community prevailed and our personal sadness seemed to be cushioned by larger commitment to T.C.C. Joy Thru Movement that each person exhibited. I also attribute the containment of personal reactions to that announcement to the manner in which Ed handled his retiring as well as to the fact that the conference was so well organized. I am grateful that Ed & Noel will continue to be part of the T.C.C. Community.

My personal thanks to Chery Ann Hoffmeyer & Louise Bureau and their committee for making this year’s conference so enjoyable.

– Lucia Veteran
Lake Winola, PA

How can every year’s conference just keep getting better & better? The organization, presentation & beauty the Canadian teachers offered was exemplary.

As was true last year, I appreciate the openness and availability to all of us of planned changes, discussions and issues. Did you notice the peace & acceptance of our community when it was done that way — without the whispering and the closed doors of the past? Thank you, Ed, for that gift.

– Jan Arrott
Las Vegas, NM

I am very saddened by Ed’s, Noel’s & Jean’s retirements. Although I am happy for them, it is deeply troubling to me to witness events leading up to this. How can such a homogenous group (educated, mostly middle-class people working on our spiritual growth) foster a bitter, insidious, small-minded group of individuals who displayed such unprofessional and unloving thoughts publicly? Their thoughts and actions worked as a poison in the community. Instead of lifting us all & supporting our leaders, they have helped dismantle “new” growth. Afraid of change and letting go? I ask the community to deeply consider how we can handle future disputes and visions in a better fashion. It is now time to regroup, rebuild & pull together as a whole. Let us not rip apart each other, but build on our individual strengths. Ed and Noel’s leadership will be missed on so many levels. Thank you, Ed, for having us recognize our personal responsibility for our own practice, our own growth, and for giving us the freedom to do so. You have led us, but not dictated to us. Thank you for all the gifts & personal sacrifice you, Noel, and Jean, have given us. Love you,

– Siobhan Hutchinson
New Egypt, NJ
(First-time Attendee)

The 2003 Conference was unique in many ways. The creative format was productive, enjoyable and enriching. It took a gifted committee to present such in-depth sessions and to afford us physical comfort with unprecedented aplomb. Of course, the retirement of Ed Altman, Noel Altman and Jean Katus leaves a void as their contribution to the TCC Community is inestimable. The unanimous support manifested for them is history-making. We are gratified to know they will always be loyal, enthusiastic members of the TCC family.

– Sr. Margaret O’Connor, S.C.
Wayne, NJ

Banff, Alberta, Canada. What a beautiful setting for our 18th Annual T’ai Chi Chih Teachers’ Conference. The Canadian organizers, Chery Ann Hoffmeyer and Louise Bureau, Conference Co-Chairs, did such a superb job in making us feel so much at home. This made our stay so enjoyable. My thanks to the two of them and to all the others who helped, and the entire community. My profound thanks also go to Ed, Pam, and Sandy, some of the very best T’ai Chi Chih teachers. I also want to acknowledge my sadness at the announcement of Ed’s retirement, as well as Noel’s and Jean’s, from the roles they had; I just hope and wish they will always be part of our T’ai Chi Chih community.

As Pam said, let there be “healing and unity, letting go, moving through.”

– Renza Baker
San Antonio, TX

Lessons from the conference in Banff:

yield
control,
surrender
expectations,
discover
embrace
chi

My first conference as a newly-accredited TCC teacher was Ed’s first as head of the TCC Community. I have observed the TCC Community at these conferences every year since and every year I have witnessed our movements becoming more as one. As a member of the TCC Community, I wish to extend my deepest gratitude to Ed for his dedication, and the insights & gentle direction he provided as head of the TCC Community.

My practice is deeper, richer, fuller in large part due to his urgings to “feel this…sense this…notice this…” As a teacher, I, in turn, invite my students to do the same.

Thank you, Justin, for the gift of TCC Joy Thru Movement and to Ed for helping our community to keep it pure & embrace it.

– Linda R. Williams
Camarillo, CA

The “Joy on the Mountaintop” conference evoked beauty, grace and love. The scenery was majestic, the conference center beautiful and the Canadian hosts most gracious. Thought was given to each detail and presented with love. This atmosphere and especially the times for reflection contributed to a deepening of my T’ai Chi Chih practice in ways I didn’t anticipate.

I appreciated the openness and integrity of the “retirement” announcements of Ed, Noel and Jean. We had time to process, accept and then return to our practice with joy.

With a grateful and open heart I send love to all the T’ai Chi Chih Community.

– Linda Meyer
Oakland, CA

I was so moved by the practices we went through that we will try and do just as good, if not better, in St. Louis next year. The Chi flows through me as I’ve never experienced before.

The mountains, the buildings, the food are superb! The mountain air was an experience to behold!

The Canadian brothers & sisters are the most generous in making our stay a most wonderful stay — we love you Canadian brothers & sisters!

– Andy Anderson
Highland, IL

A wonderful, loving, Chi-filled conference.

Everything went off so smoothly. The facilities were excellent. Meals — delicious, and a delicious variety. The TCC Bags — filled with goodies — and the hand-painted stones — were all appreciated.

All the presenters were well-prepared and interesting. The vendors were well-organized and well-supplied.

The sad part came when Ed & Noel Altman and Jean Katus announced their retirements. It was a shock — and disappointment for all of us. We appreciate all that they’ve done for the TCC Community over the years. Everyone wishes the three of them all the best in their future plans. They’ll still be an important part of the TCC Community. THANK YOU.

Justin’s presence was strongly felt — with his video, the rededication ceremony, etc.

All in all we had four informative, chi-filled days. THANK YOU.

– Maureen Purves
Morinville, AB, CANADA

While doing Perpetual Motion Taffy, I noticed that the right wrist was stiff and I held my hand at an angle. So my question was WHAT IS SOFT WRIST? It was suggested that I do a move where I experienced soft wrists to see how it felt in the body. I practiced Push Pull and experienced my wrist area as space through which water flowed. I returned to Perpetual Motion Taffy and imaged my wrists as space through which water flowed out through my hands and there was no tension and my hand had no angle.

I have applied this image all day Sunday & my whole body was softer as I moved with freer flowing energy.

– Sr. Margot Fish
Toronto, ON, CANADA
(First-time Attendee)

1. Justin’s video touched me deeply. My gratitude for this joyous movement that has set my spirit free.

2. Learning and applying Ed’s, Pam’s & Sandy’s insights to going deeper created a new flow — releasing tension that I may be feeling.

3. Saturday’s afternoon session had a gentle flow of energy from each group of teachers. It was fun, “effortless effort” in learning how to go deeper into yinning and yanging, flowing from the Center, moving with softness and continuity. It was a peaceful element of the weekend.

– Sr. Meg Costello
Philadelphia, PA

I experienced many new learnings at this conference. My practice was broken apart where it was stuck and put back together at a new level, thanks to loving corrections by fellow teachers. I learned the true deep meaning of honesty and integrity from Ed and Noel who have given me insights to explore in my own life. Thanks to all of you who brought us together on the mountaintop.

– Carol Houtkooper
Yankton, SD

A big thank you to the Canadian teachers for organizing a truly wonderful Conference in the most spectacular environment. Everything was perfect and in my last practice, I experienced such a feeling of love and connection to the TCC Community, but also a feeling of sadness at the retirements of Ed, Noel & Jean. We will miss their generous efforts and contributions and send them our best wishes for the future. Hopefully there will be many more Canadian Conferences in the future! I can’t wait to come back.

– Carolyn Perkins
New York, NY

The site was awe-inspiring. I arrived three days earlier to ingest the atmosphere of Canadian Rockies. I’d never been in this area. I dared to start sketching on my tours & found the TCC concepts helped — less is more, start from your center (T’an T’ien). At the workshops I can’t express how there could be so much learning in so short a time — in the TCC movements, journaling, teaching techniques, etc. We will miss your leadership, Ed & Noel, but your presence will always be here. Love,

– Blair Laden
Evanston, IL

Wonderful conference! It is difficult to narrow down a comment or to capture the spirit of these days. I was attending the Breakout Session on Journaling by Chery Ann Hoffmeyer; after listening to her all-encompassing input, we were invited to find a space, do a move & journal. I found a space outside, facing one of the mountains & stood in the rest pose. Not knowing which movement to do, “Daughter on the Mountaintop” began to emerge.

Coming back into the rest pose, I was very aware of a deep sense of gratitude for being in the grandeur of the Banff Rocky Mountains. I noticed being firmly grounded & rooted. I was aware in my movement — my timing of leg shift & arm flow was “off”. I shifted forward & came to a stop as my arms were still moving — only for a split second — hardly noticeable. In this awareness, I slowed the shift, allowing my arms to follow the leg movements. I felt the unity of movement & the connection with all of creation.

Journaling is another tool in deepening the awareness of my form.

– Sr. Antonia Cooper, OSF
North Plainfield, NJ

Congratulations to the Canadian T’ai Chi Chih teachers for a fantastic teachers’ conference! The weather was beautiful, the scenery fabulous, the food and lodging exceptional, the programs very interesting and educational, and there was great fellowship with old and new T’ai Chi Chih friends. It was the best teachers’ conference that I have ever attended. The only sad part was the retirement of Ed, Noel, and Jean. They will be sorely missed in their past positions but I look forward to seeing them at the St. Louis T’ai Chi Chih Teachers’ conference in 2004.

– Bobbie Anderson
Highland, IL

What an excellent conference! Thanks to Chery Ann and Louise and the rest of the committee. I really enjoyed the “Applying TCC Principles” presentations. I learned a lot from them and was moved by the insights of the presenters. I also enjoyed the journaling workshop led by Chery Ann. It was inspiring. Thank you.

– Janine Pidruchney
Edmonton, AB, CANADA
(First-time Attendee)

Except for the very sad news that Ed and Noel Altman and Jean Katus were retiring from their respective positions in the T’ai Chi Chih Community, the 2003 International Teachers Conference realized its theme — “Joy on the Mountain Top” — to the fullest. As always, a gathering of TCC teachers is cause for joy, but in Banff, the presence of the mountains rising above us from every viewpoint made for a true “Rocky Mountain High”! What will I take with me when I come down from the mountain top? Remembrances of the practices where the Chi flowed freely, the improvement from refining the practice with Ed and other experienced teachers, Ed’s spiritual messages filled with wisdom and love, new ideas for teaching, and the peace and serenity that were created in the closing candlelight ceremony. And the one sad note, symbolized so poignantly by the violin solo played at the closing, will remain as well, stirring gratitude in me to Ed, Noel and Jean for all they have done for the T’ai Chi Chih Community and for me personally. That sadness will turn to joy as they take on their new roles in the TCC Community and continue to bless us with their wisdom and dedication.

– Mary Schapker
Galloway, NJ

There is an absolute Divine Moment in a full group practice as all are “one” in motion. This was also so in the Rededication Ceremony. I am deeply grateful to have been part of this joyous experience.

– Faye Mohr
Calgary, AB, CANADA
(First-time Attendee)

What an honor it has been to share this space with so many sincere “students.” This kind of love and support reminds me of how important this community really is (or can be) to all of us. May we flow from the center as we unfold and develop in this time of transition, trusting our instincts and leaving ego behind.

With that said, I want to especially thank Linda Braga for the wonderful partner practice session and teaching ideas. I would like to see some form of the partner practice become a regular part of the annual conference. This conference has been especially packed with opportunities to deepen TCC practice.

– Debbie Cole
Severn, MD

Except for the thunderbolt from Kauai (and Fort Yates), this was a wonderful experience. Even the thunderbolt (once I got over the shock) was positive—Ed and Noel are retiring to Kauai—who could feel bad for them?

Conference setting was a slice of heaven, and meals were so good that I wearied of good food.

Wonderful content, well-presented, yet full of poignancy. Very spiritual. The Chi was overflowing the mountaintop. One of the best things was fellowship, as usual. We accidentally fell in with a troupe of chanteusses Canadiennes, and these talented ladies even let Ron Barker and me sing bass! And I’ve always been told Canadians are boring! Silly me!!

Wonderful time, marvelous conference, even better people. Best of luck to Ed, Noel, and Jean. Meet me in St. Louis!

– Rodney Anderson
Roseville, MN

Ed, Noel & Jean — a tribute by Guadalupe Buchwald

Ed

Ed, I honour your growing and blooming in seven meteoric years, from an incredibly dedicated TCC teacher, to an absolutely competent and dedicated head of our TCC Community.

You have brought together a very rigorous personal training with Justin Stone and your devotion to TCC Joy Thru Movement, with your very own personal touch and Spirituality. You have joyfully led by example, and guided us to embody and express the purity, honesty and integrity that you demand of yourself and that Justin requests of every TCC practitioner.

I honour your commitment to dedicating these years to TCC Joy Thru Movement, for sacrificing personal life to the benefit of all of us, and for making TCC Joy Thru Movement a priority in your life in such a generous way.

Ed, I personally want to express my immense gratitude for taking on your duties as head of the TCC Community at a time when we desperately needed organization, integration and a stand for high standards and uniformity in the accreditation process.

You gave us the prerequisites for this by creating a system in which you implemented changes to that end. And then, with infinite patience, firmness, and, at the same time, extreme gentleness, you encouraged us to raise our own personal bar. You, as the head of the TCC Community, raised the Community bar, leading us by example and implementing these ideas and ideals that Justin often talked about.

Nowadays, many teachers embrace and support these ideals, and, as a result of your hard work, we now have the best trained people becoming accredited TCC teachers — those with a level of proficiency, understanding, dedication to meet those high standards.

Those of us who have been around for a long time have benefited greatly from your vision and efforts. We go to teacher’s training and accreditation to be inspired, to check and refine our form, correct mistakes, and become fired up again with the newness of our TCC practice to then go back to our students and share all this joy, beauty and goodness.

Our gratitude goes to you, Ed, for leaving us with two very able, dedicated, and qualified Teacher Trainers so your legacy can be continued for the benefit of our TCC Community; I need to express my gratitude and appreciation, and, hopefully, the thanks and appreciation of all of us for taking this leap of faith. We will miss you as the able, honest, and impeccable head of the TCC Community.

From the centre of my being, I travel to my heart and the goodness in me recognizes the divine and goodness in you. Namaste!

Noel

As we all know, behind every successful man is a very loving and powerful woman!

Today, I want to honour and recognize such a woman, Noel Altman. Noel expresses her love, commitment, and dedication to TCC Joy Thru Movement in her practice and in her teaching.

Noel has supported Ed by staying home and keeping the home fires burning while he whirled around the USA and Canada, training, accrediting and creating a better TCC Community. Noel supports Ed, and loves TCC Joy Thru Movement, too, by loving him enough so that he can perform and fulfill his duties as head of the discipline, sometimes sacrificing family life for our benefit.

If this were not enough, Noel has taken on the responsibility of being the editor of our Vital Force. She spends countless hours giving her energy, knowledge, creativity, and resourcefulness to coordinate and produce this publication four times a year. We have seen this magazine transform, modify, and blossom into the present art form, in spite of crunching deadlines, mountains of material, and people’s requests to accommodate articles, photos and course material.

Thank you, Noel, for your love, dedication, and contribution to TCC Joy Thru Movement in your different roles while wearing different hats, and for sharing and sacrificing your personal life for the benefit of the TCC Community.

Jean

Finally, I would like to acknowledge the Love, work, and dedication of another person we have retiring after more than 15 years of devoted service.

As a Good Karma Representative, I would like to thank you, Jean, for all the help, patience, and support you gave me and the teachers in Canada. I take the liberty of speaking on behalf of all the teachers of Canada, and I dare say, of all the teachers in the USA and abroad, when I express our most sincere thanks and gratitude to you, Jean Katus, for your labour of love to the TCC Community.

I have worked with Jean from the time she took over the work of Satori Resources from Corinn Codye (when that company folded and the materials being sold through it were transferred over to Good Karma Publishing, Inc.). I can attest to the countless hours Jean puts in for the smooth functioning of Good Karma.

Here are some of the unheard-of duties of Good Karma (a.k.a. Jean Katus).

In any given day she is: preparing materials, ordering books, tapes and videos, preparing material to be printed, cataloguing, filing, labelling and mailing orders, invoicing, promoting, training representatives, organizing teacher’s training materials, as well as materials for the Good Karma table at the Conference. She could also be talking to Good Karma Board members, attending Good Karma Board meetings, implementing decisions made there, etc….Get the picture?

Dear Jean, your baby is now a full-fledged teenager; you have raised a wonderful being!

We honour your work, your dedication, your love for Justin, but most of all, your Love and commitment to Good Karma and to TCC Joy Thru Movement. Thank you, Jean, from the bottom of our hearts. Good luck in your new endeavors!

– Guadalupe Buchwald
Victoria, BC, CANADA

Post-Conference Responses

This afternoon, four days after the Banff conference ended, I was putting cedar shakes on a roof. There is a certain rhythm to the procedure that reminded me of T’ai Chi Chih Joy Thru Movement and the conference. Selecting the right shake is like seeking and finding the right stance; setting it into position and making adjustments is like the weight shift; shaving the edges off to make a cleaner fit is like paring down the arm movements to make each one just what is needed and not a sliver more.

The Banff conference built on all those principles, layer upon layer, just like the cedar shake roof. The speakers presented us with topics filled with insight, wisdom, experience, joy and plenty of wit. The conference committee can be congratulated for organizing a wonderful four days in a beautiful location. It really was a joy on the mountaintop.

The sad note of the conference, the retirements of Ed, Noel and Jean, will bring enormous changes to our community. I think it will be difficult to find replacements who will be willing to commit as much time and energy, as much of their lives, as these three have done. Thank you to them all for their devotion. I especially thank Ed. His gift to the T’ai Chi Chih community is…ALL OF US—well trained teachers who are committed to deepening our practice and to maintaining the pure form of T’ai Chi Chih Joy Thru Movement. I am grateful to have entered into the T’ai Chi Chih community at a time when I could benefit from the wisdom and experience of these three people. They have provided a soft, continuous flow of energy through their positions in our community and a respectful knowledge of Justin Stone’s vision and wisdom. It is up to each of us to carry forward what we have been taught, to independently grow within our personal practice and with our students. It is just like that roof I am working on—layer upon layer of shakes compared to layer upon layer of learning, of listening, of yielding, of letting go, of sinking in, of welcoming the chi.

– Anna Moncey
Black Creek, BC, CANADA

I am the daring soul who suggested that a model for the slight pelvic movement in the side to side moves of the T’ai Chi Chih form could correspond to a flattened “Figure Eight” or an infinity symbol. I spoke with Carmen Brocklehurst after her conference session, as she suggested, and learned that she teaches mainly beginners and it is to them that she suggests, “Stick your bum out.”

In order to approximate the movement pattern which Ed Altman and Sandy McAlister were presenting last September at my accreditation in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada — I finally did have to picture my hips as dangling from very flexible strings from my shoulders and tracing in the air a flattened “Figure Eight” in the air…the figure is horizontal to my shoulders and my knees and my shoulders move hardly at all when things are going well.

My criterion to measure this in my own practice is the tremendously greater rush of chi flow from the T’an T’ien in all directions at once.

There is no problem about the centre of the infinity symbol because the movement flows from the T’an T’ien which IS the centre and the source of all the movements.

There is no problem here — and for us visual thinkers who need an image in the mind to approximate with the delicious flowing of T’ai Chi Chih movement, I have found this to be a useful teaching tool with some students.

– Leslie Keith
St. Paul, AB, CANADA

After reviewing my notes, hand outs and reflections on my experience at the 2003 TCC Teachers’ Conference, I would like to share my comments, thoughts. This was an excellent conference, thanks to Chery Ann Hoffmeyer, Louise Bureau and the organizing committee.

* A well thought out, planned conference where not a single element to make us feel safe and at home had been left out. We were provided with a smooth ride on our learning and internal journey. The content of lecture was inspiring and guided us to a higher level of competence and of consciousness.

* Chery Ann said that she had simply listened to the comments & wishes of the participants from last year’s conference and manifested them. This tells me, from the quality and depth of the teaching, that the TCC community is maturing and is self-learning. Teachers are eager to bring the quality of TCC experience for themselves and others to a higher level.

* I was particularly inspired by the closing remark of Ed Altman where he said that TCC Joy Thru Movement did not belong to anyone. Justin brought it to the world to serve humanity and each and every one of us is continuing this rebirth process each time we teach the TCC movements. As Sandy said, we are each responsible to bring our TCC discipline to its highest level to support this transmission of the essence and excellence of the TCC discipline. I would even go as far as saying that our words, our teaching, do not belong to us, but need to be shared with humanity. This inspires me to go further in the maturation of my practice in order to do a better job.

* I was also very sad to hear that Ed, Noël & Jean were retiring from their positions, but I also took it with calm and faith that Justin Stone and the TCC community will find what is needed to continue the wonderful work that Ed Altman had started to bring the infrastructure of this community to such a level that anyone could take over the management of the ever-growing TCC community. But who will take the spiritual and the teaching leadership of the TCC community?

* I was very pleased to hear the research at UCLA presented by Roberta Taggart. This research is of the utmost importance in the recognition of the effectiveness of the practice of the TCC form, but those results are and will remain true only if the quality of teaching is excellent. This means that the TCC teachers need to commit to life-long learning and growth, with the goal to reach excellence in their practice and in their teaching skills. This concept was well presented by Linda Braga.

* Thank you, Justin, for your video and especially for reminding us of the importance of moving well, the importance of how to move to get the maximum out of TCC practice and teaching, which is the only way to sink into the essence of the TCC discipline and to be at the service of TCC Joy Thru Movement, who is our true master, and who will guide us with sincerity and integrity if we listen.

* “Yielding”: The TCC community is facing major challenges but will need to practice the concept that Ed has developed of “yielding”, of letting go of tension, of past patterns, past stories, in order to let the Chi flow, in order to reach the inner wisdom that is within each of us and therefore within the TCC community, so we can continue to serve humanity in harmony and peace.

* Great Conference! I got what I needed in impovement of some movements and much more — the connection with many TCC Teachers, which was delightful. Thank you, all for this wonderful conference!

– Lorraine Lepine
Overland Park, KS

The Canadian Hosting Committee matched the grandness of the mountains and sky around us, held us in this wonderful strength. A huge thank you to each person present or unable to attend. Your sense of community blessed us all.

Each conference is a grace to the teachers. An opportunity to be students, learn from other teachers, sharing our experiences and taking home new approaches to try and share with our students.

I was accredited in 1998; my first conference was in 1999. I guess I was very innocent about my ideas of how well other teachers would be moving. Well, I was really shocked. It seemed there was a lot of very poor movements. So in the last five years I saw it at each conference — a growing of skill, flowing from center, relaxed, better understanding of HOW TO MOVE. The practice today with teachers and students was a delight. The participants followed Ed, Sandy, Pam in flowing Yinning and Yanging, quiet and softness. What a change! It was a delightful feeling to be part of this wonderful transformation over the last five years… Being in this time frame of growth for T’ai Chi Chih Joy Thru Movement, I was very fortunate to have the Head of the T’ai Chi Chih Community, Ed Altman, leading our community. His example of leadership and community concern has benefited each teacher opened to the instruction. Thank you, Ed, for the gifts you brought.

Movement is the only law of the universe. Sometimes after planting a garden and watching it bloom, there is no choice but to leave it behind.

– Donna McElhose
Wildwood, IL