Originator and Head of TCC teach how to give effective presentations

“A presentation can be very powerful if you yourself are genuine and believe in what T’ai Chi Chih does…” began Justin Stone at an all-day workshop entitled “Giving Effective Presentations” held on April 22 at the Albuquerque T’ai Chi Chih Center. “I’ve never met someone that wasn’t interested in hearing what T’ai Chi Chih has to offer. Since I’m sold on it, it’s very easy to get them sold on it,” he continued.

Nearly 20 mostly local T’ai Chi Chih teachers and teacher candidates attended the event, which was co-led by Ed Altman. One teacher, Margo Carpenter, flew all the way from Edmonton, AB, Canada to attend.

Justin stressed these three points in giving an effective presentation:

• “Move well.”
• “Talk about what you know — your own experience, not what you’ve read.”
• “Get them on their feet and trying some movements. Around the Platter is an easy one and they will begin to feel something right away.”

Justin then proceeded to give a relaxed mock presentation of almost 30 minutes in which he addressed many of the questions that concern teachers by demonstrating how he would answer them. Addressing the mock crowd, he said, “When people come up and ask me ‘Is it good for my arthritis, my this, my that — my answer is always, ‘Why don’t you try it and find out?'”

He continued, “This will surprise some of you, but (regular practice) will have an effect not just in your health and wellbeing, but in your life,” thereby hinting at some of the deeper aspects of this practice. He then proceeded to talk about how T’ai Chi Chih affects your entire outlook.

He addressed the concept that the way you move is most important — “softly, without effort — the effort of no effort. If you make effort, then that is exercise and will close off the flow of the chi through the meridian channels.” In making this point, he is dispelling the idea in the minds of the audience that this is just another form of exercise.

After getting his mock audience up on their feet to experience Around the Platter and Daughter on the Mountaintop, he mentioned that, in time, with practice, the practitioner may experience fluttering hands and later, the feeling of “Nobody is doing anything — you have gotten yourself out of the way. T’ai Chi Chih is doing T’ai Chi Chih.”

He then mentioned that his upcoming class details were available for those interested, and added, “If those times are not convenient for you, then perhaps we can work out another time.” He also mentioned that there are two ways to learn — by attending once a week or twice a week. He stressed that the attendees should “learn it from an accredited teacher — not someone who has just taken lessons, but someone who has been trained so that he/she can see that you develop properly in your practice.”

Following Justin’s presentation, Ed added that three points to convey in any presentation are that T’ai Chi Chih is “powerful, easy, and enjoyable.” He then led a discussion from a handout he had prepared for participants of additional points to consider when presenting, which included:

• Indicate that one is an accredited T’ai Chi Chih instructor.
• Discuss the benefits without making promises.
• Target the benefits to the audience.
• Be enthusiastic, but not overzealous.
• Remember to smile.
• Do not try to teach the movements; just let them get the feeling.

Ed gave some tips on public speaking which he learned in workshops he attended while in the software industry in Seattle, WA. He said that standing with your arms at your side, though it may feel awkward, gives the best impression to the audience. He said that research has shown that if you hold your hands clasped in front of you or behind you or put your hands in your pockets that you are sending subliminal messages that are unfavorable. He also mentioned that altering your volume and physically moving your voice around the room (by actually walking toward members of the audience) is a good way to keep people focused on you (“and awake”).

In considering props, Ed suggested that teachers pick one (if any at all), use it and get rid of it. He mentioned that he has seen presentations where teachers had all number of props laid out on the floor and they became a distraction. He suggested that if teachers use music, that they have control over turning it off, or turning it down (or they have a helper who will). He added that it is a more graceful transition to ease the volume down, rather than just clicking the machine off.

Whenever possible, Ed suggested, presentations should be timed to occur a week or two before a class is scheduled to begin so the attendees will have your presentation fresh in mind when deciding to attend the class the next week. He said that before giving a presentation, teachers should know when and where their upcoming classes will be and how much they will cost. He said teachers could consider giving some sort of financial incentive to attendees to get them to sign up and pay for the upcoming class before leaving the presentation — for instance, including the text as part of the course fee, or offering a $10 reduction in the overall course fee. He also mentioned that a 50% discount could be considered for those on fixed incomes — full-time students or retired seniors.

Ed spoke of the “Two-minute presentation” which he said he has countless opportunities to give — when standing in line, when sitting next to somebody on a plane, when meeting someone for the first time. He said it is good for teachers to know what points they would want to make if these opportunities for a brief explanation of TCC occur in their lives. Attending teacher Carmen Brocklehurst explained that one time, when asked for an “in a nutshell” explanation of TCC in a parking lot on the way to her car, she distilled the purpose of T’ai Chi Chih down into an easy-to-remember phrase, “ABC — activate, balance and circulate the chi.”

“We are ambassadors of T’ai Chi Chih — not just when we’re teaching, but all the time,” said attending teacher Uly Messier. He added that it is helpful to “be professional in the way you carry yourself, and in your dress.” He had some “ice-breaker” suggestions and revealed that this is how he relaxes himself before giving presentations, “I greet people as they come in — I introduce myself and ask their name. If I have time, I might chit chat with them for a little while — this takes the intimidation away.” He also mentioned that he then tries to use the information gleaned from these intial contacts when actually giving the presentation. If a man said he was a mechanic, for instance, Uly might then use an analogy to an engine in making a point about T’ai Chi Chih.

He mentioned that when he mans a booth for T’ai Chi Chih at a health fair or other event, when he has some “down time,” he circulates around to the other booths. “Don’t wait for people to come to you — you go to them,” he emphasized. “I always have my business cards with me and sometimes some brochures in my back pocket as well.” He said he was uncomfortable doing this at first, but he overcame it.

“His passion for T’ai Chi Chih is greater than his personal level of comfort,” Ed noted.

Presentations can lead to other presentations,” Ed explained, and teachers can encourage this by verbally mentioning that they are available to give presentations to other groups and if anyone is interested, they can talk to the teacher after the presentation.

A suggestion for the future

Teachers: If you missed this workshop, but are interested in this topic, I have a suggestion to make: audit teacher training courses. In Ed’s first year as the Head of T’ai Chi Chih, I attended every teacher training course held that year —nine total — and I cannot speak highly enough of that opportunity. As far as the presentations aspect of it went, after seeing over 100 heartfelt presentations that year, some from candidates who were already highly skilled public speakers before they learned T’ai Chi Chih, I certainly gained umpteen new ideas and perspectives on giving effective presentations. It was inspiring. I still remember some of those ideas to this day, and have put some of them into practice in my own presentations. But, aside from observing the various techniques employed, when you see someone speaking from the heart, it cannot help but stay with you and serve as a helpful reminder that that should always be the core of any presentation on T’ai Chi Chih.