San Antonio Intensive and Conference 2008

… serial epiphanies]

Initiating The Inevitable

Intensive with Sandy in San Antonio, TX; Nov. 29-Dec. 2, 2007

BY ALICE HOLDEN, CCVI, HOST

It was a scary thought but sponsoring an intensive was needed for my own practice and area students and instructors. I put fear aside and called Antonia to get things moving. Sandy was available and fourteen participants filled the roster. The responses that follow showed that it was right to go beyond my fears:

“The intensive was filled with ways to soften our practice and integrate principles, and to realize that my practice is living and growing.”

“I received courage to continue despite limitations. Being in calmness can lead to unlimited possibilities.”

“Finding the effortless point of the movement made it all worthwhile.”

“It’s been six years since taking my first course. And I’ve experienced better physical and mental health, and I’ve made hosts of new friends and set new goals. Who says you can’t teach a little old lady new tricks?”

“We worked cooperatively to explore the space between extremes, to find that just-right way to move without effort.”

“I practiced flowing through the movements on soft kitten feet.”

“The sessions reviewed each movement step by step and explained weight shifts and feet and hand positions.”

“With effortless effort

We rock, round and round the platter

Birds flapping our wings.

With softened fingers and shifting weight

We trace the base drum

Carry the ball and pull the taffies.

With energy from a distant star

We puff out joyous breaths, gracefully pass clouds

And illuminate the tops of our heads.

With synchronized movements

And healing sounds, we anoint each other.

Cosmic consciousness is more that just a pose.

T’ai Chi Chih rocks.”

Reasons To Attend Conference 2008

BY LISA THORBURN& ATHENE MANTLE, CO-HOSTS, CA

It’s always gratifying to read the comments in The Vital Force every year after the conference. Everyone is so upbeat and grateful for the experience. But why, exactly, should one plan to attend conference? We thought we’d give you a few reasons.

Deepening Your Personal Practice

Imagine spending four days enveloped in the Chi, surrounded by teachers focused on developing a heightened awareness of the flow of Chi within themselves. Of course, there are also the added benefits of spending time with Sr. Antonia, Pam, and Sandy; of hearing how T’ai Chi Chih benefits other teachers; of hearing Justin’s annual message. Important too, is fixing all of those pesky little added motions that creep into our daily practice which are not essential and which may prevent us from sinking as deeply into the essence of T’ai Chi Chih.

Building Community Across the US, Canada, & Internationally

Building a strong national and worldwide network is important to the growth of our community. By attending, you become a part of the web that is growing and serving the world in our loving way. Besides, once we’ve met someone at conference it is so easy to phone them to ask a quick question. Imagine that you need information on seated T’ai Chi Chih. The resource section of the web refers you to a teacher whose name you recognize from last year’s conference. A quick call and, voila, you have more information than you know what to do with. Attending conference builds connections that help us feel comfortable reaching out to each other.

Expanding Your Skills as a Teacher

Continuing to improve our teaching skills is important to us individually and as a community. Conference provides many opportunities for this whether it’s how to provide gentle corrections, market our classes more effectively, or build our student base. There’s always something to learn about the “business” side of things at conference – sometimes from a formal session, but more often through a casual conversation when you hear that one thing that makes you a better teacher.

We invite you to join us at Conference 2008 for all of these great reasons and, of course, to have fun when you join us “In the Essence”!