Preparation Is The Key

Let’s say you realize that T’ai Chi Chih an essential part of your life. You know the names of all the movements and how to do them correctly, with ease and flow. You want to share TCC with others. You’ve talked to your teacher about your wishes and he or she has encouraged your aspirations. You’ve gone to and have reviewed the information about teacher accreditation and the guidelines for accreditation. Now what? What, specifically, should you do to prepare to attend an accreditation course?

You will learn a lot during the teacher accreditation course, but no amount of earnest engagement during one week can substitute for persistent, consistent, patient training and preparation over an extended period of time prior to the course. Sitting down with a teacher/coach/mentor to come up with a workable, self-directed plan to gain the necessary skills is essential.

If I were such a student, this is what I would do:

Familiarize yourself with all of Justin Stone’s writings. I’d divide Justin’s creative output into two categories, those that bear directly on TCC practice and those that will round out your understanding of his spiritual journey. It is important that you study and are highly knowledgeable about Justin’s writings on TCC (the photo/textbook; Justin’s lectures available for free download at www.gkpub.com, the essays in Spiritual Odyssey, Justin’s two TCC DVDs, and all of Justin’s videos posted on YouTube at www.youtube.com/user/tccabq).

It is also important that you are familiar enough with his other books, music, and artwork that you can sufficiently answer the inevitable questions that students will ask: “So, who was Justin Stone, and how did TCC come into being?” The websites www.taichichih.org and www.gkpub.com are invaluable resources to round out your knowledge base. If you don’t have a teacher or local community of students with whom to discuss Justin’s writings, you can start a conversation on the TCC Facebook page: .

Before attending an accreditation course, you should be comfortable leading a full practice, and be able to provide appropriate general instruction while you do it. You should also be able to give detailed instruction on how to do each movement. How to learn to do that? Practice, practice, practice. Sounds like a tall order, but this is what a would-be teacher must do.

I encourage the teacher-candidates I am coaching to write out several lists: (1) a list of all the general instructions related to TCC (i.e., all movements are done with softness and continuity; we fully shift the weight from one leg to the other; wrists and arms are kept soft and loose, throughout; all movement is generated from the tan t’ien… You’ll find all of these instructions in the photo/textbook and the dvd’s; (2) a comprehensive list of the instructions specific to each movement (i.e. palms down in Around the Platter; palms up in Pulling in the Energy; back heel stays down in Pulling Taffy, variation one; back heel swivels slightly in Working the Pulley…). You’ll find all the specific instructions in a gem of a pamphlet by Justin called “Teaching Tips for Teachers: Also Valuable For Students.” (Available for free download at www.gkpub.com.) Practice saying these instructions out loud while you practice at home. Not once, not twice, but over and over until you have committed them to memory. The more often you do this, the more confident you will become in your ability to share this information to others.

If it sounds like I am suggesting that you “reinvent the wheel,” that is exactly what I am suggesting. Why write out all the instructions if they are readily found in the source materials from Justin Stone? When you are in front of a class, you will not be able to consult the book; you can only pass on Justin’s instructions if you have fully absorbed and practiced articulating them yourself, over and over again.

It would be great if every teacher could study with Justin. Fortunately, he left us detailed source material. I would study every available video recording of Justin Stone doing the movements and speaking about how to do the movements. I mean really study him. Try to figure out why he appears so poised and aligned and loose and soft and substantial all at the same time. Do your very best to move as he does. His example is a wonderful thing to aspire to. It is our honor and duty to try to pass this on.

In my opinion, it is important to learn to “mirror,” so I ask my teacher-candidates to practice until they are comfortable. You may not need this skill if you teach in a room with mirrors, but it is good to know how to do it and it is not something you want to try to do for the first time in front of your eager students.

It is important to start talking about TCC – aloud, to other people. Do your friends and family know about TCC, why you do it, who Justin Stone is, why you want to be a teacher? Don’t keep TCC a secret; having numerous casual conversations about TCC is the best preparation for making future presentations about TCC.

And, although you cannot not teach until accredited, you may practice teaching under the guidance and direct supervision of an accredited teacher. Once you’ve practiced moving and giving instructions to a mirror at home for a while, ask your teacher if you can lead some movements in class, under his/her supervision. If you do not have access to classes where you can practice-teach, you can partner up with a TCC teacher via Skype to practice-teach the movements to him/her and receive feedback. Be open to critique and suggestions. Honest self-appraisal throughout the process is essential.

What if you don’t have a teacher to guide you (i.e., you’ve learned TCC from a DVD and have been practicing on your own)? More and more teachers are willing to work with students long-distance via Skype. You can find potential mentors on the TCC Facebook page, or you can contact one of the three TCC teacher trainers to ask for guidance.

Whether or not you have a local teacher coaching you, you might find it valuable to attend a TCC retreat or workshop or intensive as part of your preparation. These events provide an opportunity to work with a very experienced teacher and to practice deeply with a group of TCC enthusiasts, both teachers and students. Observe carefully; ask for coaching.

When you first start doing all these things I have suggested, you might feel like you really don’t know anything about TCC at all. Don’t be discouraged; this is a very good sign. It means that you are in touch with “beginner’s mind,” and are truly ready to be a student of the practice. The best TCC teachers consider themselves lifelong students.

How long will all this take? It depends on you and your personal circumstances. Make it your goal to go to the accreditation course to demonstrate the fruits of your preparation. If you have prepared well, you will finish the week confident and ready to teach. Preparation and training should not be rushed. Take as much time as you need.

To apply to attend an accreditation course, you will need to demonstrate to two accredited teachers that you have the integrity and inner sincerity to be a TCC teacher (an essential quality that Justin called teh). Taking initiative and responsibility for your training is an essential way of showing that you have what it takes. Good luck.