PA Teacher Training yields 11 new teachers

October 9 – 14

By Jean Markey

Course Host

WOW, what an incredible week. This was my first time to host a T’ai Chi Chih teachers’ training course, my first time to audit for an entire week (which I highly recommend), and also my first time to have any of my students accredited.

Out of the 11 candidates, five of them had studied under me, four of which I have worked very closely with for the past two to two and a half years. It has been a wonderful experience, in that time, watching them grow and go deeper into their practice. After this week I think I know now what it feels like to give birth. It was a very powerful, emotional and rewarding experience for me. . . .

We were really fortunate to have four auditing teachers who were able to attend for the entire week and another who audited for one and a half days. (Thank you for being there).

Ed shared a lot of his knowledge and wisdom not only of T’ai Chi Chih, but, of life in general, that it was so hard to absorb it all. I found myself, as well as everyone else, taking a lot of notes. I also picked up some helpful hints on how to correct students who have problems with — leaning (forward or back), shifting the weight fully and moving from the Center. (Ed — thank you).

Ed talked about having integrity in our practice — when I arrived home on Saturday I read the thought for the day in my daytimer, “Live with honor and integrity and lend your talents and strengths to others,” (by Paul J. Meyer). (How appropriate). . . .

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An Insight

By April Leffler

T’ai Chi Chih, like life, is a process of letting go and of opening up. It makes no sense, in either situation to beat oneself up due to an increase in awareness. Honor the painful as well as the exciting insights for what they are — GIFTS.