More Teachers’ News

Sr. Claire Whalen, Oldenburg, IN writes: Thanks for your kind words of encouragement following my certification as a TCC instructor. I am teaching my first class this fall at our Motherhouse conference center–20 persons from the area, pulling from several small towns up to 30 miles away and from the city of Cincinnati which is an hour’s drive from Oldenburg. They are so enthusiastic and learning fast.

Joan Torrence, Beaverton, OR writes: I taught a small class down in Salem last summer and now we meet monthly as an intermediate group to play, connect and refine. We share readings from The Vital Force journal, before and after class and we love it. I’ve given them information to order their own issues as well. I have a new series starting in January in a quick format –five sessions from 6:30-8:45 pm. Since I have to drive an hour each way, I’m not interested in one hour sessions. This new approach fits my style and students also like it. I’ve found I also bake/bring treats to class so we always celebrate and pamper ourselves.

Bryan James, Lakewood, CO writes: The Denver area teachers are beginning a city-wide practice that will meet once a month. It is our hope to draw together many teachers and students from all over the city for large practices that eventually could include more than two hundred people. We will meet the third Sunday of every month, starting November 20 at 2 pm in Washington Park (SE corner). We believe this is an important piece of support we can offer students as well as a good mechanism to draw some attention to T’ai Chi Chih in Denver. We will let you know how it goes.

Joy Barbour, Payson, AZ writes: I recently started TCC classes at the Eastern Arizona College (branch) in Payson. 30 students registered and I was amazed with only 5 days to get the word out. You are all doing a great job with VFJ–a wonderful way to keep in touch.

Ralph Garn, Syracuse, NY writes: Through the efforts and coordination of Sr. Antonia Cooper, OSF, October 8 and 9 were shared in LaVallette, NJ by a number of TCC teachers and individuals considering teacher training. (See picture below.) Saturday the 8th was a day well spent including introductions, questions and answers, TCC movements and refinement in a beautiful pavilion overlooking the bay.

Sunday was a ‘teachers only’ day spent exchanging stories of TCC involvement, planning and organizing future get-togethers, ending with full practice in the pavilion. Noted the intent of teachers to come together twice a year and April 7, 8 and 9, 1995 has been reserved by Sr. Antonia at the St. Francis Retreat Center in Rensselaer, NY to accommodate 30 persons. Interested TCC teachers and teacher aspirants note the dates! Enough time is allowed between the April dates and the TCC Teacher Training with Steve Ridley, May 8-13 in Mahwah, NJ to work on moves and be well prepared for accreditation. Rensselaer, NY was chosen as a central location for those traveling by car in the northeastern states.

Sr. Antonia’s hosting and structure of the two days spent was quite commendable! Teachers attending were: Jean Rosaire Bedotto, OP, Edie Budney, Sr. Antonio, Patricia Gilman, Ralph Garn, Mary Rupracht, Geraldine McGuire…..and a good time was had by all!!!