Returning To Community

I was accredited to teach T’ai Chi Chih in 1990. I haven’t taught a lot, and in the last decade have practiced intermittently. I have always loved it, and I’ve kept it in my consciousness. I recently felt strong guidance to renew my practice. About that time I saw the information about the Santa Barbara teacher retreat, and I said “yes.” Then I realized that I was leaving for Peru (and taking a group) three days after the retreat. I have taken groups to Peru many times, and I know there is always a lot to do at the last minute. I almost didn’t sign up, and I am so glad I did.

I love doing TCC at sacred sites, and we will be in Machu Picchu for the March equinox. I knew that if I wanted to do TCC with my fellow travelers, it would behoove me to be doing it correctly. I didn’t even remember the exact sequence, and for some reason couldn’t remember how Carry the Ball went. (Thank goodness for Google.) I didn’t want to look like a complete novice when I showed up with other teachers.

Once I got to the retreat I remembered how nice TCC folks are, and I felt welcomed. All of the intervening time disappeared. I built up a lot of Chi during the retreat, which was one of my goals. Each practice got more and more beautiful. Being in the energy of the teacher’s movements was brilliantly uplifting and made the practice glide (softly and continuously). All I wanted was to re-learn and improve my movements and to build my Chi. I certainly got that and a lot of fun. Then there was another gift.

Each year I feel more strongly in my heart about community. I have come to realize that doesn’t always mean communal living or even local community. And of course, we can belong to more than one community. I feel very blessed to have reentered the TCC community, and I’m even thinking maybe a conference.