Letter to Unaccredited TCC Teacher

Teachers who encounter a person teaching T’ai Chi Chih without accreditation could give them a copy of this letter, or base their comments to such a person on what has been noted.

Dear (Unaccredited Person),

I understand that you are offering instruction in Justin Stone’s T’ai Chi Chih. Justin expects anyone sharing his system to be an accredited TCC teacher, to complete the week-long TCC Teacher Training Course and receive certification to teach.

There are a few hundred accredited TCC teachers in the United States and a number in your area who have studied thoroughly and earned Justin’s approval to instruct others. Justin knows that his system of T’ai Chi Chih will be conveyed correctly, as he originally intended, and that it will be passed along with a proper understanding of the principles and philosophical considerations upon which it is based, when students graduate from the accreditation course.

I know that you want to honor the originator of T’ai Chi Chih by giving correct instruction in the movements and by possessing an understanding of the movement principles and philosophy. T’ai Chi Chih is, at its fundamental level, a spiritual practice, based in integrity (“Teh”). It is understood in the Orient that the student only teachers after receiving permission to do so by the master teacher – who is Justin Stone in this case – and that to do otherwise would be to say the least, inappropriate. In this country tending to “do our own thing” disregards the essential import and intention traditional to this art.

From time to time we hear of an unaccredited teacher of TCC offering instruction and there is nothing we can do about it except appeal to them to consider the things I have mentioned in this note. We want Justin’s TCC to remain as pure as possible, and the periodically offered teacher accreditation courses help ensure this. Contact The Vital Force, Journal of T’ai Chi Chih for dates and information on Teacher Trainings.

I am enclosing a copy of the prerequisites for training courses called “Preparing Teacher Candidates.” * This will give you an idea of what is expected, generally, of those who desire to teach. In fairness to Justin and all teachers who are qualified to teach TCC, I hope you will discontinue to offer your brand of TCC until you receive accreditation. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

– Steve Ridley
Appointed Head of TCC
Denver, CO

*Note: Printed in December 1992 issue of The Vital Force or obtain copy by writing Steve.