New Tag Line

Thanks go to Tudor Oprea – a great supporter of The Vital Force and its mission to spread the word about T’ai Chi Chih – who came up with this new tag line: “May The Force Be With You” – as in, The Vital Force. We like it and hope you do too.

Criteria For Inclusion in the VF

Writers occasionally submit articles and stories with a postscript: “Hope this meets your criteria.” But what are the main criteria? That the writing and experience comes from the heart. Of course it has to be about TCC; it can’t be too long (see below for suggested lengths); and it generally needs to pair with other articles so that the journal is cohesive. But those are minor points compared to the first.

Writing Revelations

From one author: “P.S. I actually enjoyed [writing] when I finally made myself do it!” And from Cathy Dalton: “I’m grateful at the realizations that came from deeper exploration and putting thoughts on paper.”

Duplication Of Articles

There has been some recent overlap with articles submitted to The Vital Force and then to Antonia’s website and/or newsletter (and/or the T’ai Chi ChihNew Mexico News). But, like any worthy publication, we’d prefer not to have redundancies. We think you want to read original content. The value of what we offer is lessened when you can read the same thing elsewhere.

Event Articles

We rarely publish articles promoting upcoming events. Of course, the annual conference is an exception! In addition to the VF print calendar and the taichichih.org e-calendar (the latter is updated every six weeks), we started posting downloadable PDF flyers with registration and general information for each event on the website – when it was re-launched a few years ago. If we printed articles about forthcoming events and articles about the events after-the-fact, The Vital Force will be half-filled with just event information before you know it. I’d like to leave plenty of room for more than that.

If an event host would like to include a flyer within The Vital Force, you are certainly welcome to (for the cost of printing the flyer).

Table of Contents

Justin Stone1

May The Force Be With You2

Tributes to TCC3

Appeasing The Hunger4

By Teachers / For All5

Guiding Thoughts: Sr. Antonia6

Sandy Says / Pam Says7

Pyramid Poems6-7

Teaching Tips: Pulling Taffy, Variation #1, Anchor8

By Teachers / For All9

By Teachers / For All10-11

Justin Stone’s 93rd Birthday12

Justin Stone: Cosmic Rhythm13

By Students / For All14-15

By Teachers / For All16-17

Newly Accredited Teachers18-19

Events20

Pyramid Poems21

Karmic Comments22

Lighter Side22

Community Calendar23

Contacts / Subscribe24

Vital ForceDeadlines & Ideas

April 1Mid-May

Musings on moving: “When the Chi flows freely and is balanced, the Cosmic Rhythm begins to move us.”

Pulling Taffy, Variation #2, Wrist Circles

July 1Mid-Aug

Musings on gratitude: “If you want a good life, be grateful.”

Pulling Taffy, Variation #3, Perpetual Motion

Oct 1Mid-Nov

Musings on softness: “It is the absence of any pressure, moving slow motion in a dream, thatallows softness to prevail.”

Working The Pulley

Jan 1Mid-Feb

Musings on the importance of practice: TBD

Light at the Top of the Head/Light at the Temple