Share the Love

How has T’ai Chi Chih (TCC) served you? We connect with it when it comes into our lives because it fills a need. It might offer us a refuge in time of need, a support as we move through a difficult time. It might bring community and friendships into our lives. It might offer us an outlet for sharing our talents and a way to give of ourselves. We might find it a gentle form of exercise, an enjoyable way to move our body and improve our health. There are many reasons why TCC is important to us and why we want to share it with others.

Next year we will celebrate 50 years of TCC. It is still a rather new discipline in the world of energy practices. We have grown slowly and built a solid foundation. Noteworthy studies have been done at UCLA specifically using TCC. Many of our teachers participate in WorldTaiChi/Qigong Day holding practices in parks and open spaces giving exposure to TCC. Just last month two of our teachers, Anita Vestal and Jessica Lewis, presented TCC at The Science of Tai Chi & Qigong as Whole Person Health Conference hosted by the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine. Wow, that is a big deal for TCC.

And while we know we are a vibrant community of teachers and students, in the bigger picture we fall short. We only have a smattering of teachers here and there with concentrations in a handful of metropolitan areas. We have no contact information for some active teachers. As an organization of no organization (feels like the effort of no effort), we do not have a central command. One reason Justin set it up that way was to avoid hierarchical bickering. Over the years, needs of the community developed into the pieces that makeup the framework of the TCC organization today.

• Taichichih.org is our face to the world. When looking for a teacher or looking for information in general about TCC and its origination this is the go-to site. Along with information on how to become a teacher, there are materials to support the practice, a calendar of events, and more.

• The Vital Force journal is a 24-page quarterly newsletter with writings from teachers, students, and Justin.

• Justinstonetcc.com offers Justin’s books, instructional streaming videos, audio recordings, and artwork.

• TCCcommunity.net is a repository of resources for teachers and students. It also produces the Guide’s monthly newsletter.

• The T’ai Chi Chih Association in Albuquerque sustains the vision and legacy of Justin Stone by providing a center for gathering, holding classes, and TCC events.

• The T’ai Chi Chih International Foundation manages scholarships for conference, continuing education for teachers, and teacher candidates preparing for accreditation. It backs the yearly teacher’s conference. It promotes the growth and exposure of TCC through grants and funding of special projects.

These pieces make up the “organization” of TCC. And they are managed and run by volunteers, teachers, and students who love TCC and show that love through service.

At the conference Anita and Jessica attended, a researcher commented to them that they were looking for a TCC teacher for their study but no names in their area came up when they did a search. The “find a teacher” page of taichichih.org needs your help. There are many reasons teachers are not using this valuable service. If you think of it as only a way to advertise your classes that is short sighted. The growth of TCC needs you to be present on this listing.

Even if you are only teaching one or two classes, or teach in a facility just for the residents, or do not want any more classes, we still need you present and accounted for. If someone contacts you looking to start a class, and you do not want to start anymore classes, refer them to another teacher. Maybe it will be an offer you cannot refuse, a teaching opportunity made just for you.

A listing is only $10 or $40 a year. You’ll find set up instructions at taichichih.org/teacher-listings. KG will help by adding your information. Just write your bio and collect your class details. Even if you do not have classes, have a presence. It is a way to give back.

Wouldn’t it be great if someone would be the tech support for this? Kim would welcome someone who knows their way around their own teacher page to help others. This would be a great way to get to know teachers in our community. Teachers who volunteer to host conferences each year say that one of the best parts of the job is connecting with so many teachers.

TCC came into our lives and supports us; now let us support TCC. Many folks became teachers because they experienced the value and wanted to share it with others. Having a robust teacher listing page is another way to show that we value the practice. If you love the practice, share the love. Have a presence and a teacher listing page on taichichih.org. That is our face to the world. Let it be a robust, vibrant face full of Chi and love.