Kick-off to Summer

TCC Workshop in Bay Area, CA

By Denise M. Clark

The Memorial Day weekend elicits reminders of the kick-off to summertime. The first juicy bite of corn-on-the cob, a nice wedge of sweet watermelon and the soft swaying of the back porch glider all beckon us to relax and reflect upon the warm days of a new season. Who would consider attending a TCC Workshop with Ed Altman on Sunday, May 28, 2000 as part of this holiday weekend? Fifty-one dedicated practitioners all came to improve and refine moves. Veteran teachers, new students, and teacher candidates all found new inspiration and techniques as the day progressed.

The event began on a pleasant, bright California Sunday in the small, tree-lined town of Danville at the Veterans’ Hall, provided by the sponsor, the Town of Danville Parks and Recreation program. Pat Huseby and I greeted our guests and ushered them into a large, wooden-floored ballroom as we answered questions about street parking and lunch at local spots. (Sundays and holidays are a good time to host as parking is generally free.)

After a brief introduction, Ed jumped right into the morning session beginning with a new way to sense Rocking Motion by waiting for the heels and toes to naturally lift and return rather than forcing the movement. We also practiced the transfer of weight from one leg to the other by first keeping the feet flat on the floor. Once we felt a complete movement of weight exchange with the back leg straight and knees soft, then we practiced lifting the back heel slightly (one to two inches) so that we could maintain proper form.

“A Tyrannosaurus Rex dinosaur is the perfect example of how our body should move,” said Ed. He expounded this thought describing how we should have short arms, making small, concise movements, while the legs are solid and firmly planted as a foundation. We concluded the morning and many left in groups to lunch together, catching up on news or establishing new friendships.

As we reconvened for the afternoon session, Ed selected certain moves, including Carry the Ball to the Side and the Taffys, and emphasized the importance of a soft, pliable waist. This helped us to improve the execution of the move and have a greater sense of balance, especially with Perpetual Motion Taffy. We continued with a full practice.

“It sounds like a ship listing from one side to the other,” commented one student as we practiced the movements in unison. The creaking of the wooden-planked, suspended floor responded graciously to the give and take of our movements, like a mother rocking a child in her arms. Peacefulness enveloped the room.

With a wonderful sense of calm, Ed moved us into a question and answer session. “[Do you have anything to say on practicing with shoes or not, in sand or not?]” asked RoSanna, an exuberant, new student. “No sand in shoes,” [quipped] Ed. We discussed our expectations of TCC. “I no longer expect TCC to cure me of my illness,” said Jan, “but I know it will be with me, making the process easier.”

As a kick-off to summer, attending Ed’s workshop was a very “cool” thing to do. The candidates sharpened their skills for teacher training, the teachers were given new tools to improve explanations of moves, and the students were exposed to a large group practice and sharing time that they never had access to before. Ed Altman is responsible for making this a special holiday weekend and we thank him and all the volunteers who helped to make it happen, including Barbara Riley for designing yet another beautiful floral arrangement for our enjoyment. [See photo at right.]