Pushed in the Right Direction

Lavana Kilborn, Port Alberni, BC, Canada

Dear TCC lovers, practitioners and teachers: I have been reading and enjoying the various articles in The Vital Force for years now and thought it was time I made a contribution by sharing my experiences with you. Over the years, slowly, very slowly, like all good things, the classes started to build. First with the Port Alberni Sunshine Club. The Seniors had seen TC performed on the screen and simply demanded it. I WAS APPROACHED, but had just studied from Justin’s book. Thus having been pushed into the teachers’ program, a steady movement in the right direction followed.

Getting Started: After accreditation in May of 1989, I offered classes in TCC for the general public through Parks and Recreation as well as the beginners and continuous classes for the Seniors. The word spread and when Port Alberni started to participate in the Elderhostel program, I was approached again to offer TCC. There are only four days with 90 minutes for each Elderhostel group. During this time, I stress that this is an introduction only. I teach the basics such as correct yinning and yanging, posture, softness and continuity in the movements using the easiest moves. This group has been most rewarding as the students respond with great enthusiasm. However, due to Elderhostel’s summer program, I no longer can attend the teachers’ Conferences-which I regret-but life is always on the move and that too may change.

Seated TCC: Last year after having received a call from the programmer at an Intermediate Care Home, I started teaching to wheelchair residents. These are people with various disabilities–physical, emotional, and mental. The challenge here can be easily seen. I carefully select the music for this group and it has proven the main vehicle for bonding and enjoyment. On the physical level, the arms are resting on the armrest in the conclusion pose. I omit the Taffy’s altogether, as they would be frustrating to learn for people with poor memory. I do use carry the ball, push pull, around the platter, the daughters, a simple form of passing clouds (one arm at a time-rest-then the other) and of course, starting with rocking motion for longevity and the closing posture. We rest frequently. In this class I allow chatter, reflections, and verbal sharing of all sorts during the resting period. Here I volunteer my time and feel richly rewarded by sparkling eyes and responses such as “I feel so relaxed now” and “I sleep better.” etc.

For the Seijaku classes, I never had enough people register to make a go of it and now I feel no longer confident to teach it. Some day I will audit one of Justin’s classes and try again.

Stimulated by an article in the last issue of The Vital Force, I will contact the programmer for teenagers after my return from Costa Rica and see if there is an interest.