St. Louis area teachers and students retreat for second year to refine their TCC practice

The second T’ai Chi Chih Retreat in Louisiana, Missouri [from Oct. 12-13, 2002] was a time of growth, reflection, rejuvenation and deepening the practice of T’ai Chi Chih Joy Thru Movement. This 24-hour journey into ourselves began and ended with our practice, although the appearance of this practice greatly changed. The sincerity and look into ourselves through the T’ai Chi Chih form shined through from beginning to end. It was similar to an intensive workshop with lots of questions, answers, demonstrations and self-discovery. The Instructors were able to learn and view themselves in a new light thus allowing us to release some of the Vashana’s (habit energies) we weren’t aware that we had. We had lively discussions on movements, techniques, and the essence of the moves. I also believe the students received much from this format because they were able to explore the variety of techniques we teachers use to communicate our practice and they received personal attention. I rode down with one of my students, Patty Dub. She loved the retreat and can hardly wait to go again. It reminded me of my Teacher’s Accreditation! All of us worked together for our greatest good. Softness, continuity, flowing effortless and releasing control were addressed throughout this time.

I attended shortly after recovering from pneumonia (which included having over 104-degree temperature). During this time of illness, I practiced the T’ai Chi Chih form mentally, knowing the benefits it can provide. The day before the retreat was my first semi-normal day of functioning. Throughout the first day of the retreat, I felt my energy increase beyond expectation. I actively participated throughout this time and the chi was flowing! I even stayed up for the campfire-drumming circle and got “smudged” along the way. Kathy Albers did a fantastic job going through the moves and all of the instructors had much to offer. We also couldn’t have done it without Faith Horton who reserved the location (only $35 per person!), helped handle the mailings and much more.

I wish to thank all of you who were there and touched my heart. I cannot express the amount of growth we received by coming together, teachers and students alike. It was a time of reawakening and re-evaluating our T’ai Chi Chih practice and of reaching yet another level. The power within our T’ai Chi Chih practice never ceases to amaze me!

– Catherine Millman

This was the first time that I was attending a TCC retreat. This was a very rewarding experience on many levels. First, to have teachers and students mingle in an informal setting was great. It was obvious that all the students who attended were very serious about deepening their TCC practice. They were all listening carefully to the many different perspectives, of the many teachers available to them. The different style of teaching also helped them to get whatever improvement they needed.

It was quite an opportunity to help with a future teacher just about ready to attend a teacher training, to have further training with another teacher, or simply confirm their readiness or point out areas of improvement.

I was very impressed with the integrity of the TCC teachers willing to receive feed back from each other. This really demonstrated to the student how even as teachers we are continuous students, learning, open to feed back to better our TCC form. Our openness to learn really helped the openness of the students to receive further feed back.

The warmth and the relationship that developed among every one in such a short time was very comfortable and suiting. I believe that the natural environment where the TCC retreat was held was suiting for introspection.

After having done multiple TCC practices, the Chi was circulating profusely and so were the students and teachers open and talking easily.

What better way to bring the TCC community closer together than to offer a TCC retreat. I am very grateful of having been part of this retreat with some of the St. Louis TCC community. And of course the exchange of exquisite food that everyone shared was wonderful!

– Lorraine Lepine

Other comments:

I feel that I have a greater understanding of the form and I appreciate it. What I found helpful was the staggering circle, especially when the instructors were in the center circle. One could watch whomever was guiding the practice with one eye and the back of someone else with the other eye (and ones neighbor with the third eye. Heh.).

– Roberta Mueller
Student of Carole Ewald

Joy was there to be reflected and absorbed so easily. In the dining hall, the practice sessions, and the bonfire camaraderie.

– Don Bohrer
Former student of Kathy Albers,
now accredited TCC teacher

The facility was really beautiful and a great place for a TCC retreat. I felt the group jelled beautifully and all were very interested and sincere in improving their practice. It always amazes me how much you can learn from the questions and answers of others. Some things we take for granted until we hear questions and answers that we hadn’t considered but are very relevant to our own growth in the TCC discipline. Thanks for the opportunity to participate in the retreat and we look forward to next year’s retreat.

– Bobbie Anderson

Thanks for making the retreat possible and so enriching! It was truly a gift!

– Ann Marie Wyrsch
Student of Kathy Albers

Thank you and all the teachers, and especially Faith Horton for once again helping me “keep on track”. I have been more religious about my practice and can hear all of you with your helpful comments and instruction talking to me as I work on improving my daily routine. I admire all of your dedication and willingness to share so completely.

– Pam Loucks
Student of Kathy Albers