Seijaku Teacher Accreditation

Seven T’ai Chi Chih (TCC) teachers gathered on Zoom the last weekend of February to participate in a Seijaku Teacher Accreditation. We each came with our own intentions. As the teacher trainer, mine were to accredit five new teachers and for each to deepen our experience, understanding, and appreciation of Seijaku.

Together we explored the meaning of “softness means letting go” and discovered greater softness in our TCC practice and our lives. For me that means being gentler, less critical, and more compassionate with myself in healing a broken femur, even though it is taking longer than I think it should. Here’s what other participants experienced:

My Seijaku Accreditation experience has made me come to peace with myself. I felt like some unnecessary layers have gone. — Yuko Voss

This was an experience of more effective movements, more healing, more energizing, and more grounding. Throughout my TCC and Seijaku practice I am always grateful for small changes that make a big difference. This happened several times during accreditation. Healing and energizing go hand in hand. I felt better and noticed pain disappearing. Perhaps most importantly, I found and felt more ways to be grounded. To experience TCC and Seijaku from a secure and stable place allows me to bloom like a lotus flower. — Patty Stupca

Patty taught her first Seijaku class the day after accreditation concluded. She texted that it was very energizing. It was amazing being on Zoom and feeling how connected I was with everyone and how strongly I felt the Chi. It was wonderful being in breakout rooms and sharing teaching ideas. It gave me the confidence to start teaching Seijaku next week. — Michelle Sarubbi

I’ve been a teacher of one subject or another for over fifty years, which seems impossible. If I learned anything, it’s that becoming a student again is incredibly valuable. Stepping back into the beginner’s mind and feeling awkward and uncomfortable with the unfamiliar is a great way to deepen your own practice and become a more skilled and compassionate teacher. If you know TCC, it’s an easy step into Seijaku. As Justin said, “…let your own experience convince you.” — Sally Sherwin