More than 40 students and teachers benefit from teacher trainer’s visit to IL

March 16-17, 2002

By Donna McElhose, Event host

Come
Students
And Teachers
Workshop Offered
Awaking
Insights
New

Come: they did—from many places.

Students: 33 in all, some from the local area and others from as far away as New York, Mississippi, and Wisconsin.

And Teachers: 10 from Chicagoland, St. Louis, MO, St. Paul, MN, Batesville, IN. Some of these instructors have been practicing the TCC movements for several years, while Wendy Howard and Diana Durkin are newly accredited instructors. Both students and instructors came to deepen their understanding of their TCC practice.

Workshop Offered: the first opportunity in three-and-a-half years for area TCC students and teachers to have a teacher trainer come and lead a workshop. The weekend began on Friday night with an abundant potluck dinner put on by local students Bobbie Weichman, Nancy Lecraw, Barbara Neises, Diane McQueen, Clare and Gregg Bradley, Rudy Caday and Jan Kirsch. The dinner allowed the workshop attendees to meet and get to know each other before the workshop itself. For students in the local area, it was great meeting TCC students and teachers from other places, expanding the TCC community.

Awaking: the joy of each movement is what Course Instructor Sandy McAlister, teacher trainer, provided in the day-long review and practice on Saturday. After a few minutes of signing in and getting settled, we formed a circle and began the day. She covered the 20 movements in turn, and there was a brief time for comments on most of the movements. Many of the attendees took notes as we went along. I believe everyone would say that there was an awakened spirit to their TCC practice that they could take home.

Insights: offered by Sandy into the softness, synchronicity, and circularity of the moves gave many of us much to think about. We appreciated her demonstration of flowing from the center, body alignment and weight shift. As we each followed Sandy’s lead, we found that her grace of no effort took us some effort to achieve, but insight brought each movement closer to becoming a part of the whole.

New: friends, new feelings, and a new practice. Each attendee received something special for him/herself, perhaps making their TCC practice new to them.

Special Thank You to the student volunteers who made this workshop flow so smoothly: Nancy Lecraw, Bobbie Weichman, Clare Bradley, Diana McQueen, Jan Kirch, Barbara Neises, Jeanné Lohfink and the husbands who showed up to help move those heavy tables. Thank you! This was a success because of your commitment.

* * *

Donna was the most gracious host. The room provided was beautiful and warm, and working with Sandy again a joyous learning experience. Thank you all!

– Wendy Howard
Instructor

The entire program sustained excellent focus throughout. Although the 40+ was a large group, individual attention was still given. The net results: everybody came away with ideas to help them take their practice to the next level. Sandy’s direction was excellent and Donna’s preparation and facilities couldn’t be better. Follow this workshop as a model. You won’t go wrong.

– Rudy Caday
Student of Donna McElhose

What a marvelous day! Careful, lovingly going through each movement/eager questions thoughtfully answered/a joyous spirit throughout. Sandy could not have been more patiently helpful to all of us. And Donna and her helpers could not have been more welcoming. I know that I will be able to use some of her suggestions in my own practice and feel very grateful for that. Thank you!

– Anne Perkins
Instructor

It is so wonderful to gather with others outside of a particular class setting. Sometimes I feel a little isolated when I practice. There’s a marvelous energy when gathered with others. Thank you.

– Diana Welsh Durkin
Instructor

Thank you Sandy, Donna and students. Thank you T’ai Chi Chih [practice]!

– Robin Kidd
Instructor

A true feeling of Trust and Community was developed thru Sandy’s soft, and clear teaching. Her ability to listen, with no judgmental attitude helped me to internalize the principles. My Thanks to you.

– Fran Spellman
Student of Paula Weiner