Seated TCC at All Classes

Teaching seated T’ai Chi Chih has become my great passion in the past two years. When first presented with the opportunity to teach seated TCC at a nearby senior center, I accepted the offer with some doubts. As someone who started their practice because of a severe injury and new handicap, I am grateful that my TCC teacher, Donna McElhose*, taught our group how to practice together seated.

Donna led seated practices to accommodate students like myself, but particularly because we had two members who could only complete a full practice seated. Through Donna’s proper guidance, we enjoyed full practices together — with some standing and a few seated. It helped us pay closer attention to timing. Seated TCC became a normal part of our practice because of a desire to synchronize our movements and Donna’s ability to lead a mixed standing/seated group practice. 

My doubt in teaching seated TCC stemmed from doubt that I could teach it effectively. Now, in every location I teach, I teach seated TCC. 

I would love tips from anyone who has taught seated TCC, so that I may learn how they manage the unique obstacles atypical to teaching standing TCC.

*Donna included me when I was at my worst, showed me compassion when others wouldn’t, and helped me feel part of a special community. Donna’s commitment to teaching us how to move, leading us in weekly practice, and including class time to discuss readings or discoveries in our solo practice, helped me heal. The impact that my TCC journey has had on my life is so profound that every time I found a new job, I negotiated 1-3:30pm on Tuesdays off, so that I could join our weekly group practice. I never imagined I would be teaching, but now I emulate Donna by being completely myself.