Minnesota Teacher Accreditation, October 2014

Seven Minnesota candidates converged at Kings House Retreat Center for their weeklong journey toward accreditation, led by Teacher Trainer and Guide, Sandy McAlister. Unlike many who attend these courses, they knew one another from previous retreats, workshops and/or intensives.

They came well prepared. They had worked with their primary and secondary teachers, and even had the opportunity to work with a third teacher to specifically fine tune their movements and ponder their presentations. As always, the week was filled with emotional ups and downs, circuitous paths and unexpected side trips. And yet, they still experienced learning and growth throughout the week – signs of being true students of T’ai Chi Chih. They emerged unified and cohesive, connected on a deep and personal level they probably didn’t expect. They formed a sisterhood. And here’s what they said:

“My teacher told me to focus on why I was doing this. When I gave my presentation I spoke from the heart: TCC is an inner healing experience and teaching it will deepen my practice as I share the Joy. This reminded me what Justin Stone said, ‘It is my feeling that the circulation of the Chi is one of life’s great secrets.’” – Ivonne Begue De Benzo

“Today my six TCC sisters and I were chatting by the lake and enjoying the sunshine when we spontaneously slipped into silence. We just stopped talking – maybe because we were tired or maybe because we could just be. Maybe because the intensity of experience brought us closer to the truth of who we are and we could just be in that truth together, in silence. Moments of grace and gratitude.” – Mary Weddle

“This has been a time of being encapsulated in, and along, a spectrum of vibrancy. With each new day, new practice, new connection to ourselves and to others, that vibrancy grew until it became wisdom. The kind of wisdom that can only be held in the heart because it can no longer be expressed in words.” – Nan Nelson

“Kindness, support, patience and caring permeated this accreditation, a week of receiving generosity.” – Maggie Breimhurst

“The first night everyone shared a story about how TCC had affected their life: Rocking Motion on a New York subway platform while moving a family member; standing alone amidst dangerous debris at a construction site without power while doing Bird Flap Its Wings; visiting a dying mother and doing Daughter on the Mountaintop by her bedside.” – Susan Sobelson

“An intense learning, exploring journey. A wonderful experience in getting to know better, and bonding with, the other teacher candidates.” – Bev Brogie

we

seven

sisters are

going forth to

brightly shine

all our

joy

– Bev, Ivonne, Maggie, Mary, Nan, Susan, Susanne

Balance

exhaustion, energy

nervous, calm

outside, inside

cool, warm

sisterhood

support

gratitude

joy

– Susanne Carpenter

oh

seven

sisters, so

precious to us,

forever

in our

hearts

– Sandy, Deb, Judy, Sue