Reflections On TCC’s Long-Term Benefits

My teacher, Donna McElhose, recently showed me an article I wrote for The Vital Force in 2001, after three months of T’ai Chi Chih classes. I wrote it as a letter to Donna, Justin Stone and Carmen Brocklehurst. Reflecting on excerpts from that letter, I see how much I’ve benefitted from these years of practice. “… I have so much to learn and to look forward to. I am trying very hard to make TCC a way of life for the rest of my life. I feel that TCC is something I have been searching for a very long time … My hope is … to experience the energy (Chi) of TCC (to) become … stronger … in mind, body and spirit. I have fibromyalgia … which causes pain and mental sluggishness … To Justin Stone, a very big thank you for developing TCC so that the average person can develop their body, mind and spirit. Donna, I feel that I have been truly blessed to find such an excellent instructor… ”

In the past 12 years, I’ve improved my understanding of the TCC form, struggled to perfect movements, felt joy when a movement felt just right, gained wonderful friends, learned to quiet the mind, focus in my feet, experience an attitude of gratitude, work on flowing from the center and getting softer. Some of my best experiences have been doing TCC in a group and sharing the awesome energy. I also became an accredited TCC teacher in 2003. Still taking Donna’s intermediate class, I still feel blessed to have such a great and challenging instructor. A core group of nine keeps learning and refining our movements and studying Justin Stone’s books; we’re currently reading Climb the Joyous Mountain. Last week we also viewed Sandy’s helpful new DVD on seated TCC. If we ever lack inspiration for continuing TCC, it’s provided by a delightful woman in her 80s in our class who does seated TCC now. Her face still glows as we practice.

At age 73, I deal with fibromyalgia and cranky joints daily. Practices are shorter and sometimes require seated or mental TCC. The journey that started a dozen years ago will continue for the rest of my life. There is still so much to learn, refine and experience to expand the mind, body and spirit.

Firethroat Learns TCC

By Tara, Illinois

Editor’s Note: An 11-year-old neighbor of a T’ai Chi Chih teacher wrote this fantasy short story after watching her practice TCC.

Once upon a time in a small, beautiful valley lived an unhappy and lonely dragon named Firethroat. When a group of animals settled in his valley, the dragon underwent some remarkable changes. One day, four animal friends happened upon the valley. They were learning T’ai Chi Chih and thought the valley would be a relaxing place to practice. They said, “Hey, why don’t we stay here forever and never leave?”

They set up camp and later built a house, unaware that Firethroat was watching from his cave. Finally, the animal friends went into the field to do TCC. The leader of the group, Hopper, was leading the others in Passing Clouds when Chuckie, one of the group, saw Firethroat coming out of his cave. Afraid, Chuckie started to run, and the others followed him. They ran until they came to a canyon. Firethroat was gaining on them.

Just as Firethroat was about to run into them, they all ducked. The dragon was going so fast he couldn’t stop in time. He hit the other side of the canyon so hard he was knocked out cold. The animals dragged him to their relaxing spot and took care of him.

The next day, Firethroat woke up to find himself in the animals’ house. His head hurt so badly he could not lift it. He heard soothing music coming from somewhere outside. He forced himself up to check it out. He saw the four animal friends, Hopper, Junior, Chuckie, and Earl, doing some kind of strange dance. Suddenly, the music coming from a CD player stopped. Hopper turned to Firethroat and said, “Ah. You finally woke up.” Firethroat asked, “What are you guys doing?” “We are doing TCC. We have an idea we could teach you to do TCC as a rehabilitation class.” “What for?” Firethroat demanded. “Well,” began Hopper, “I don’t know if you know this or not, but you fractured your tail and wing when you hit the canyon wall.” Firethroat was speechless and in no mood to argue or to fly away because of a sharp pain in his left wing.

They started with Six Healing Sounds and Push Pull. Firethroat was clumsy and kept tripping over Chuckie the tiger’s tail. The only move Firethroat could relate to was Bird Flaps Its Wings because now he could flap both wings without pain. After a week, Firethroat had not made much other progress. One morning, Hopper went to the field to meditate. Firethroat followed, hid in a bush and watched as he meditated and did TCC. The dragon asked him how the heck he did it so well because he, Firethroat, didn’t get it. Hopper answered, “All you have to do is relax and breathe deeply. Here, like this.” Hopper began to demonstrate Passing Clouds. Firethroat joined in, following Hopper’s instructions. After doing all of the moves without any flaws, they returned to camp.

A week later, Firethroat was no longer a stressed out, mean or hateful dragon. Oh no. He was so friendly and later became a TCC teacher. He taught others, made many friends, and lived happily ever after with the four animals in the valley.

A Great Way To Start The Day

By Deb Edmunds, Illinois

This morning, returning from my walk, I found a very quiet place to do morning T’ai Chi Chih. As a new student, I sometimes do the movements facing the sun, a very enlightening feeling. As I do Rocking Motion and Bird Flaps its Wings, I start to relax. Doing the movements cleanses the soul. They seem to bring in energy, light and love from the top of my head to the bottom of my toes. As I do Bass Drum and Push Pull, I start to hear the birds chirping and the trees rustling in the wind. After doing Cosmic Consciousness Pose, I can start my day with a calm and positive attitude.

It Really Is ‘Joy Thru Movement’

By Gerri Slappy, Illinois

Although I have been a student of T’ai Chi Chih for just two semesters, I enjoy many benefits of TCC. As Justin Stone said, it truly is “Joy Thru Movement.” I am overjoyed to be in a seated TCC class as well as a standing class. Seated, I can concentrate on movements without the pain I experience while standing. Because I can do seated TCC without medication and knee braces, I practice at home more easily and frequently. I still enjoy standing TCC and get the benefits of doing a full practice. I can imagine learning and practicing TCC for the rest of my life.

TCC Helps On Even The Busiest Days

By Mark Morzy, Illinois

With my hectic schedule, it’s sometimes difficult to find time to relax. By practicing T’ai Chi Chih regularly, however, I get the feeling of having done something worthwhile, even if the rest of the day was sub-par. I love that it can be done anywhere without fancy equipment or any specific type of clothing. Having just started TCC, I have not noticed any extraordinary benefits other than a heightened state of wellbeing. That in itself is very encouraging. In a world filled with ways to escape our days, TCC gives us an opportunity to work toward making them better.

Pyramid Poems

sky

vast blue

infinite

holding sunlit

clouds and birds

soaring

free

– Dotty Hoepner

first

the seed

then the tree

blossoms like snow

next the pears

we make

sauce

– Betty Siedlecki

how

can i

live alone?

you were always

at my side

loving

me

– Betty Siedlecki

frost

is not

welcome when

flowers are in bloom

get the sheets

cover

them

– Betty Siedlecki

leaves

acorns

old branches

they all fall down

even trees

topple

boom

– Jeff Hoepner

Death & Ongoing Blessings

By Sue Guarna, Student, Illinois

Death, loss and kindness are themes of Carmen Brocklehurst’s recent article, “Ongoing Blessings,” in The Vital Force. They also are themes of my current journey. The T’ai Chi Chih community has been altered by the loss of someone dear and integral: Justin Stone. I have been altered by the loss of my mom. The expression of kindness to the TCC community/to me opens up the eternal. The practice of TCC helps us to more clearly see and be aware of our connection to the universe. We can more openly respond to others’ thoughtfulness in a time of loss and use our response to go both further inward and outward. Amidst our loss, sadness and pain, TCC gives us a vehicle to transform those emotions and ourselves into more aware, compassionate and connected human beings.

Just as Carmen’s article points to practice – engaging in an activity that Justin originated, as a means to honor and hold him within – I too am finding activities which my mom encouraged, like coming to TCC as a way to honor her and hold her within.

Gratitude As A State Of Being

By Dotty Hoepner, Illinois

Every week before we begin T’ai Chi Chih class our teacher, Donna, reminds us to think of something we’re grateful for and let that feeling infuse our practice. I inevitably feel thankful for the present moment, my classmates and teacher, and the love and Chi we share together.

I have noticed that Justin Stone mentioned gratitude quite a bit in his writings. This thankfulness he had for his life and for the gift of the Chi elevates TCC to a “path with heart.” As I contemplated gratitude this morning, I realized it can be a state of Being, a stance that opens me to every moment. From gratitude comes more gratitude. Thank you Donna and Justin for your examples of gratitude.

Filling An Empty Spot Deep Within

By Jeri, Student, Illinois

TCC has made a difference in my life for several reasons. I am so impressed by the teachers I have met; they make me feel so welcome in the TCC family and are very willing to offer help and encouragement. They don’t compete with each other; they just all try to help. It’s amazing and feels genuine. The feeling I get from doing TCC is hard to describe. I guess oneness comes to mind. It just makes me feel complete and it feels right. This is something I can do for myself that is very positive, is good physically and fills an empty spot deep within me.