Sedona TCC retreat attracts 70!

March 30 – April 1, 2001

Participants respond…

. . . We were 70 persons, walking the path of mystery of our spiritual journey, who valued T’ai Chi Chih as essential. We came as beginners, as students, as teachers, as appointed head, from the place of no experience to having 25 years experience with the practice.

What made this T’ai Chi Chih gathering different from other gatherings? Many things. One was the mixture of persons and experience. Another was the setting. Located in Arizona’s high desert, Sedona Retreat and Healing Park embraced us with quiet, acres of vast open landscape, simple delicious meals and gracious hospitality. Another was the easy rhythm of the time. In the residential setting, participants had the luxury of time to: experience three complete practices immersed in the energy of Nature; glean wisdom and refinement from Ed Altman and each other in three learning sesions; reflect, hike, soak in the grandeur of energy-filled red rocks; share with old friends and new acquaintances . . .

The impact of the weekend T’ai Chi Chih retreat was powerfully gentle, realized immediately and gradually revealing. . . .

– Sr. Kathy Salewski

. . . It has been a year since I completed Teacher Accreditation in Staten Island, NY. I am a new teacher who was trained mainly by the use of videos as there were no available teachers in my area. Since the accreditation I’ve used every opportunity I can to be with other teachers. These trainings and retreats have been so valuable to me, because I see how much I have to allow and let go for my own practice to deepen.

Recently I went to the retreat in Sedona. The help I received was immeasurable. First, moving without shoes, something I never do, put me in touch with the soles of my feet. Next, although I’d heard Ed and Justin talk about the back heel releasing, I’d never put my attention there. As the attention found it’s way to the heel, I could more fully shift the weight and experience the movement of Chi. Thank you Ed for repeating one more time the emphasis and principles of TCC. I also found Pam [Towne]’s counting technique to be helpful (“1 and 2 and”) in making contact with the heel. My new mantra is “1- release, 2- allow”. Thank you Noel for your patience and attention in working with me on Perpetual Motion Taffy. . . . Many Thanks,

– Joanne Lovejoy