My Story, by Pia Knighton (May 2015)

I went to the Cenacle Retreat Center in 2002, in Houston, Texas, looking for more spirituality in my life. The lobby was filled with brochures offering different programs, but the only brochure that drew my attention was for T’ai Chi Chih classes. “I want to do this,” I said to my friend, so we registered for a once-weekly class with Carletta LaCour. I loved it. I did not miss one class and bought the DVD for home practice. Twice a year Carletta offered a beginner’s class, which I took at least once a year. My friend and I practiced every week together for six years (until she moved).

By 2009, Carletta said, “Why don’t you become a TCC teacher?” The thought had never entered my mind but she planted the seed and shortly afterwards I decided to learn more. The website, taichichih.org, was extremely helpful; I printed everything I could get my hands on. I practiced all the movements daily for two years, and asked Antonia to critique me, for which I was so grateful. Carletta and I met once a week for her to critique my movements, and she signed off my attendance for teacher accreditation. For my second signature I drove to Lake Charles, Louisiana, and worked with my dear friend, Caroline Guilott. I was certified in March 2011, in San Francisco by Sandy McAllister at a beautiful retreat center.

Back in Houston, I started planning my classes. Carletta asked if I could teach for her at the Cenacle due to a loss in her family. So I started teaching right away and loved it and still do. Since I was still working full time as a certified psychiatric R.N. at Menninger Clinic in Houston, I did not have much time to arrange classes. But I did start teaching a class weekly in 2011 to the adolescents at Menninger Clinic, and I asked them to fill out a brief survey when discharged for my research project. (The survey continued until 2015 and demonstrated that TCC had reduced anxiety for the adolescents.)

In 2013, when I transitioned to part-time at the Menninger Clinic, only working on weekends, I was freed up to pursue teaching TCC. Luckily, I found a yoga studio five minutes away from my house; the gracious owner only charges me $20 an hour to teach in a large ballet room with mirrors. I taught eight one-hour classes (covering all 19 movements and one pose) in the Spring and Fall.

The thrill of seeing people feel the Chi and serenity inspires me to teach. To help people circulate, balance and store the Chi, in order to receive the many wonderful benefits, is why I teach. It gives me so much joy to share TCC.

In 2014, the CEO of a new psychiatric hospital in Houston invited me to interview to teach T’ai Chi Chih there. I was hired on the spot after giving my presentation. Since then I have been teaching twice weekly to adult psychiatric patients, and it has given me great joy to see them smile and relax during the movements and afterwards. On their discharge papers they state that TCC helped them more than any other modality. How rewarding.

I started a new class in March with ten students. I have found marketing somewhat challenging but I have also found that www.taichichihhouston.vpweb.com has brought in students, along with my TCC Houston community Facebook page.

I attended my first TCC retreat in Spring 2014, connecting with about 25 students and teachers, which was like getting a wonderful second family. I again attended Carmen’s retreat in Albuquerque, New Mexico in Fall 2014, and I look forward to many more. I am excited to attend my first teacher conference this year. Twice annually I stay with teacher and friend Caroline Guilott, attend her TCC class, and we just have fun together. I have met so many wonderful people during retreats and on Facebook.

I am happy to say that I found the spirituality I was looking for – and much more. I have enjoyed reading all of Justin Stone’s books. I wish I had met him, but I do listen to his CD on TCC in the car, so I feel as if I did.

swing

using

yin and yang

bat moves in sync

perfect arc

contact

joy

– Jim Harris