My Transformation

When I came to the accreditation in April, I had one goal: to receive my accreditation. To me it was the key to teaching T’ai Chi Chih to the elderly in our retirement home, to poor students in our Chester school, to faculty members at our center, to women at Anna’s Place (a Franciscan Place of Hospitality) in Chester, to women in prison. I was inspired by Justin Stone’s words, “If enough people practiced T’ai Chi Chih, there would be peace in the world.” The more I contemplated it, the longer the to-do list became. Although I was sick when I arrived at accreditation, I was determined to go through with it: the key to a future of creating Peace.

To my surprise, during those first days of practice my goal transformed. The key to being a teacher was not the actual accreditation. As the practices with other candidates, auditing teachers and the trainer moved forward, I was not just doing TCC, I was feeling an energy within – a letting go, a feeling and living of oneness, a letting the Chi be. As we candidates shared our stories and hopes (and as our auditing teachers and our teacher trainer affirmed and fine-tuned our moves), I was humbled and grateful to be connected universally to a community of peace. In May, I begin my journey as an accredited TCC teacher. I will introduce the movements to students, but more importantly I will share the essence of TCC: the path of softness and continuity.