Q&A with Christeen McLain: Going Around the Platter

Fargo, North Dakota | Accredited l985

How did you learn originally about TCC?

It was amazing to experience the Chi when I first was introduced to T’ai Chi Chih by my teacher, Jean Katus (1977*), in 1975. In my training to be a nurse, I had been introduced to biofeedback by Jay Gunkleman at the North Dakota State Hospital, where I had experienced the body sensations of alpha brain wave patterns during an altered state. As I exclaimed excitedly to Jean, “I’m in alpha state” as we were going Around the Platter. She was startled and had no idea where I was coming from until I explained.

It was a gift to have Jean Katus — with her over the top enthusiasm for the movements — as a teacher and guide. Her gentle smile and subtle, kind input assisted me with staying grounded and not rushing my awareness. (My medical training programmed me to validate everything.)

Why did you become accredited?

That sense of peace, lifting out of my busy mind, was a rush of ecstasy. And it flabbergasted me to achieve that whole body feeling by simply doing the grounding movements and circling the platter. By choosing to do simple TCC movements, I could alter my brain waves and put my overly busy mind in a time out.

I was exciting to learn this form after recently graduating from college. I was self-critical and never felt that I knew enough or had practiced enough to go forth with getting accredited. 

When and where were you accredited?

It took Jean Katus’s consistent urging to finally travel to Denver to become accredited. Jean Katus, Jeanne Engen-Duranske (1985*), and I traveled together by bus to be accredited by Steve Ridley (1977*), who, at the time, had been approved by Justin Stone to lead teacher accreditations.

It was the right time, five or seven years after being first introduced to TCC. It’s amazing how our past experiences affect our paths, one of many nuances I would begin to experience with TCC.

How has your teaching changed over the years?

Let the de-programming begin. I used to do a deep grounding exercise with my students: Get grounded, breathe in the air, affirm the earth connection with our feet, grounding into the roots of Mother Earth and focusing on being in the body, sensing the movements and the experiences.

When I taught students this deep grounding technique, some went so deep that they fell over. I thus discontinued that grounding exercise. My advice: stick to focusing on the feet. It’s amazing how much we are in our heads.

How has teaching changed you?

Since beginning to teach TCC the most vital comment I share is learning to be present. Not to get ahead of our students and teach too much too fast. Patience, kindness, suggestions to respect being grounded. With all the go, go, go rapid responses of our world today, we forget the gift of being grounded and learning how to maintain our center. From here self-love, care, and dignity evolve.

What lasting lesson(s) have you learned from Justin and his teachings?

It was a blessing to learn from and through Justin Stone. He was solid, truthful and at times could stun us with his statements. They were all poignant and vital for our evolution. He was definitely breaking through our blind spots and opening our eyes. As Justin always would say, “Do T’ai Chi Chih on the days that you feel like it and on the days you don’t.”

How do you incorporate instruction/lessons learned from Justin? 

What I have learned and retained over the years is very simple. Stay focused on the soles of your feet; be sure you are grounded. Take those deep breaths and slow down the mind a bit. Practice the movements when you feel like it and when you do not. It is an amazing journey that will open the door to self. The incredible bonus? Many solid, consistent, and lifetime-long friendships.

*Indicates year of teacher accreditation.