Live From Aston, Pennsylvania, April 2017

Eleven new teachers from eight U.S. states and Canada were accredited in Aston, Pennsylvania, in early April. As Host, it is always amazing to behold the transformation from T’ai Chi Chih teacher candidate to accredited teacher. Below are writings from the group. – April Leffler

Thank you

T’ai Chi Chih

Teacher training

A week of my life

Spent in geographical

beauty-rain and sun

surrounded by Nature-

in a castle, of

encouragement.

Fulfilling my desire to teach TCC

Meeting new friends

and teachers-

a little scary-

even a lot scary-

Fear slowly turning to concentration

on improving

19 moves and 1 pose

Each day filled with

practice, practice, practice

early mornings and

late nights.

Wanting to do my best

and having the loving

support of strangers

who became diligent

task masters.

Teaching me

Helping me

Training me

Tiering me

Applauding me

I learned a lot

improved a lot

determined a lot to

succeed as much

as possible.

lots of information

I’m on overload.

And so the days went by-

practice, practice, practice:

practice-eat breakfast

practice-eat lunch

practice-eat dinner

practice-present my personal story

Presentation-

scary-yet all successful.

Every one of us

I improved a lot and

am more sure of myself

in what I have to offer

to my students,

my community, and my life

I have been “softened”

yet strengthened.

Teaching T’ai Chi Chih

my future endeavor, and

my class of old friends

awaits my return home

ready for the new improved me

By Nancy Johnson, Long Beach, California

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It’s Thursday afternoon of accreditation week in Pennsylvania. The most prevalent thought that comes to mind is what a sincere, warm and caring group have assembled because of one common thread, TCC. Group events have been stressful and uncomfortable even at my age. But the openness of TCC people is wonderful to experience.

This next part of my journey is a transition time, a time to give thought to who I want to be and what I have to share. TCC has brought the realization that I can let go of what I’ve thought I was supposed to be, that future possibilities are limited only by my imagination. This week has been a heart opener, a beginning of getting to my core – with support and great Chi surrounding me.

– by Sara Leonard, Falmouth, Maine

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I had been practicing TCC for a year, when one day during class the only thought running through my mind was, “Tell her you want to be a teacher, tell her you want to be a teacher.” Public speaking is so fearful that even walking to the front of the room after class and telling my teacher that I wanted to teach had my heart pounding. But to stop the nagging thought, I just did it, pounding heart and all. Then I turned around and left.

Over the next weeks I would ask about what’s next – a book, retreat, much more practice. The training was getting closer and closer. I got in line for the rollercoaster. The presentation made it a triple loop-de-loop rollercoaster. Now that my ride is almost over, I’m happy to say it was only a double loop-de-loop.

I’ve received much help and support from Sandy, April, auditing teachers and other candidates. I’m so happy I stepped forward that day in class and now to be part of the TCC community. I look forward to calling them old friends and seeing them throughout the years.

– by Kathleen McAllister, Broomall, Pennsylvania

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Buffeted by the winds and waves of life, situations felt as though they attacked me from all sides. It seemed up to me to defend, solve or fix everything – my stuff, others’ stuff. What has happened through TCC is difficult to describe. I’ve achieved a sense of wholeness, an absence needing to defend, to maintain barriers, facades. When I think back to a time before all these layers were established, I was 12 years old – free, full of possibility, unobstructed by others’ opinions. TCC has enabled me to move through the ups and downs of life free of the encumbrance of my own old perceptions. In other words, I am discovering my real self – the one who’s been hidden for so long.

The thought of watching others discover who they really are fills me with joy. This is what moved me to become a TCC teacher. In a way, I have fallen upward from closure to openness, from hiding to transparency, from fear to joy.

– by Lorry Marcketta, Lakewood, New Jersey

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The TCC community created a loving environment that opened up my perception. I came for a deeper understanding in my practice and left with a deeper understanding of myself. This week was more about softness in my life. The understanding of movements became easier as I became more vulnerable. Having experienced this process I see a purposeful path that has been created. Teaching was not on my list of things to do. TCC moved what I wanted and replaced it with what I needed.

– by Tim Bonis, Wilmington, Delaware

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Silent Practice

Breakfast

Break it down

Lunch

Break into groups

Talk, work, learn

Write, move, critique

Dinner

Presentations

Fun

No sleep/sleep/no sleep

Do it again tomorrow

First time away from my husband in 25 years

First time away from my kids in 16 years

I’m spreading my wings

T’ai Chi Chih

Teacher Training

Candidate

Hopeful, scared

Unsure

Practice, learn

Try

Smile, laugh

Breathe and

Focus on the soles

Of the feet

– Anonymous

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I felt like a TCC beginner again. Every single movement was worked on and improved. The experience was challenging, nerve wracking, joyous, calming, scary and exciting – such a wide array of emotions.

I have met so many wonderful students and instructors who were so supportive, accepting and helpful. I now feel so much better prepared to carry through on my goal of sharing this wonderful life changing practice with as many people as I can.

– by Larry Firth, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

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I started my TCC journey about two years ago. As I grew in the practice, I began to notice changes, especially in how I was feeling. Since I was thinking of retiring and enjoyed TCC so much, I thought maybe it would be a good retirement job. I spoke with my teacher, and while she said that it’s very rewarding to teach, there’s not much income in it. So I put it on the back burner.

As I practiced and worked with my teacher, I realized something was missing: pain in my right leg from hip replacement surgery and arthritis pain in my fingers. As time went on, other things also evolved. My aggressive nature (especially when driving) was relaxing. Rough edges were smoothing out. Panic and anxiety attacks also lessened. Twice during the last 18 months, when I would awaken from anxiety, I would get up and do a few minutes of Rocking Motion, and the anxiety would subside.

TCC has also increased joy in my life, and with an increased flow of Chi, I have experienced wellbeing. When I see the smiles of my grandchildren, or the beauty of a cardinal at a bird feeder, joy is there and it feels so right.

With faith, how could I not share this gift with others? I went back to my teacher and asked how I could become a TCC teacher. She laid out the path, and I took the steps to spread this wonderful gift to whoever would receive it. It feels great to know that after a life of taking, taking, taking I will now be giving, giving, giving.

– by Parker Reynolds, Strongsville, Ohio

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Teaching more than one person at a time is not my cup of tea, not in my comfort zone. I’ll just stay in my small, safe, comfortable zone, thank you very much. And then Cosmic Consciousness laughed at my shyness and swept me up on its wave to reveal the egoic illusion that no longer served me, and never served the higher good. It was time to stop playing small, and while I took the call, I was scared to death.

I arrived with old egoic patterns playing out on a new stage. It was uncomfortable to observe my uncertainty, unworthiness, fear of failure, and rejection – all of which are the stuff of playing small. Yet their presence was necessary, as a reflected inner manifestation representing the outer form of my practice. They were an inner barometer, so to speak.

I watched as my outer practice transformed as quickly as my inner insecurities. How is it possible that in seven days I could go from being afraid to share my form and speak about a movement to enjoying the process of teaching a “mock” class of beginners? It was made possible through a healing, teaching, mentoring heart space, led and cultivated by Sandy McAlister and informed by April Leffler, the attending teachers, and my fellow candidates.

My transformed practice is an outward expression of a far deeper inner paradigm shift. I leave with confidence in my ability to carry TCC out into the world. I will honor these gifts and utilize them to my highest ability in service to humanity and the Cosmic Consciousness. I am humbled; I am honored for the opportunity.

– by Meg McGrath, Fort Bragg, California

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The last five days have been joyous. Being surrounded by loving people who drop pretense and circumstance creates a feeling of belonging to a family that wants only good will and peace. It was also wonderful to have the opportunity to refine movements and move into another deeper layer of experiencing TCC.

Having auditors attend was so helpful. We broke into small practice groups or received their help individually. They let us know they supported us, lovingly cheered us on and shared rich stories from their accreditation and teaching experiences. Their friendship and good humor was a gift indeed. A tremendous thanks to Sandy and April for their expertise and sharing. They found what was needed to guide us in beginning our teaching journey.

My favorite image to take home is doing a silent practice in a large circle early in the morning with dim light. The intent and spirit and abundant Chi that prevailed as we moved together is a picture to keep in my heart forever.

– by Sandy Springer, Martinsville, New Jersey

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It was a couple of days into the teacher training when Sandy read from Justin Stone’s Spiritual Odyssey. He was quoting from the Japanese monk, Senzaki: “It’s better to discipline yourself than to have life do it for you.” This resonated so powerfully that it brought me to tears.

This was the reason why I came to this training: Life had been disciplining me for too long through multiple deaths in my family, from the near disintegration of my business, from chronic illness and from a move into subsidized housing. I wanted to make even more of a commitment to my TCC practice than I’d done over the last four years training with Daniel (and Diana, more recently).

I’ve recently begun to realize that the daily discipline of morning practice had helped me to feel in control of my life. The training was difficult and intense, yet joyful and alive. I now know I’ve reached a level of commitment-of discipline.

– by Kent Jarratt, Asbury Park, New Jersey