Relating My Journey To What Justin Writes

I began my T’ai Chi Chih journey six years ago taking classes with Bonnie Sokolov, who is a wonderful inspiration to me, and became accredited in May 2006. When I moved to North Carolina a few months, I remembered Pam Towne saying at accreditation, “Just get out there and teach and the rest will take care of itself.” I brought a few of Justin’s Photo Text and DVDs to my first class in case anyone wanted to purchase them. Since I was concerned about appearing to push students into purchasing materials, I used Justin’s materials in my classes so they could see them for themselves. As students came into class, Justin’s instructional DVD was playing. (I still do for all my beginning classes.) If the place I’m teaching doesn’t have the proper equipment, I play the DVD on my laptop. This usually sparks conversations as students become aware that materials are available to help them with their practice. I always start my first beginning class with a personal story of how and why I found TCC. And I begin and end each class (beginning and intermediate classes) with a reading from The Vital Force, the photo text textbook, or another applicable book. As the beginning classes progress, I insert personal short stories about troubles I may have had with a particular movement or the progress I’ve made with some TCC issue.

Students have been interested in Justin’s materials from the very first class that I taught. The DVD sells itself partly because I show it; students realize how much easier it will be for them to learn TCC with this DVD at home. Because I incorporate the photo textbook, The Vital Force, and other books into all of my classes, these items become part of my student’s TCC journey. I also include information about the DVD, photo textbook, and The Vital Force in the syllabus that I give out during the first class. (The syllabus also includes the T’ai Chi Chih and Good Karma Publishing websites.)

As students progress in their journey and practice and return for more classes, I incorporate Justin’s other books such Spiritual Odyssey, Abandon Hope, Heightened Awareness, and Gateway to Eastern Philosophy & Religion (along with his meditation books). I stress that TCC is not just a movement exercise; it is also a living art. And part of the TCC journey is to focus on TCC’s interior aspects. This often takes awhile to sink in, but once it does, Justin’s books become very interesting to them and they begin exploring them. I bring my copies of all of his books, DVDs, and CDs to classes for students to look at. The fact that my copies are well-worn seems to spark their interest. I love this aspect to teaching TCC – watching students begin to go within and find their wonderful, limitless aspects.

In my experience, Justin’s DVD and books have sold themselves because I use them in front of students in every single class. They see what he has to say, and they see that my books are well used, and they find that they want to deepen their journey. I talk about how my journey continues to change and deepen, and I relate my journey to what Justin says in his books. I also find after a class or two listening to me, many students start opening up and sharing their experiences regarding their inner selves. I’m sure I learn more from my students than they’ll ever learn from me. Because I incorporate Justin’s materials, it does take time to prepare for each class. But in preparing, I learn and explore so much more about my interior life.