Making Your Own TCC Video

During the past couple of years some TCC teachers have produced their own instructional videotapes for students, and more have been asking permission to do so. This seems fine to me, and accredited teachers are free to provide useful resources like videos, information sheets, etc. at their classes. Hopefully, their students are also made aware of the supportive resources in the form of literature, audio and videotapes through Good Karma Publishing and through me.

I have one request of you if you plan to film yourself on videotape for distribution at your classes: allow me to check your performance of TCC beforehand. This can be accomplished either by 1) sending me a home-made videotape of your movements, so I can critique it and give you corrections, or 2) by visiting me for a private session in Denver or when I am in your area.

By checking with me in this way we can be more certain that your taped presentation represents TCC and the movement principles correctly. Because a videotaped production is a semi-permanent expression, you should be sure that each of your movements is up to par.

The reason I am asking for your consideration in this matter of self-producing TCC videos is that I have had the opportunity to view several these past months, and I am frankly not happy with much of what I’ve seen. Let me just say that breeches of movement principles abound!

Please don’t get the wrong idea. I think it is admirable that some teachers have gone to the expense and effort of making tapes of themselves for their own students. Loyalty to one’s teacher is a common sentiment and I am sure that many students value having their teacher on tape to practice with. All I ask is that before you go to the trouble of producing such a tape, please let me help you determine whether your movements need some adjustment.

Even if you do not plan to make your own videotape, please plan to attend one of the annually offered “Teacher Review” classes, to be sure you are in keeping with movement principles and are teaching movements properly. It is easy to get somewhat off track and to unconsciously get into habits of deviating from standard TCC. I was recently surprised that of the many accredited teachers living in the Minneapolis, St. Paul area, only a couple attended the Teacher Renewal class at Moose Lake Resort, though it had been advertised for over 1 year. I was saddened that the effort to bring me to Minnesota was partially wasted in this way, though we had a fine Teachers’ Training Course the same week.

My basic message here is: Please keep improving your TCC and be willing to undergo correction. After 17 years of practice I am still attempting to improve my TCC daily. When Justin designated me “TCC Master” in 1981 and had me write the new foreword for his TCC text, I didn’t make my TCC practice videotape until 5 years later. Though I feel good about the way TCC is represented on it, I have very noticeably improved my TCC since the tape was made.

Thank you for listening. JOY,

– Steve