Student questions readiness for training

Question to “”

Hello Staff at the Vital Force,

My name is Carol Murphy. I would like to inquire about your teacher trainings. I have been practicing TCC for several years and am being encouraged by my teacher to attend the teachers training. I have been thinking about this for several months now, wondering if I am ready to go to the teachers training this year. I have read your articles about preparing for the teachers training and it continues to tug at my heart. So, at this point I am curious if you still have any openings in your May class in the LA area, or if you will be doing any teacher trainings closer to the Seattle area in the near future. If so, it would be wonderful if we could discuss further the possibility of my being accepted into a teachers training this year. I am very, very interested.

I began doing TCC when I was still suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. When I began, I thought, this is low impact, certainly it won’t hurt my already sore muscles. After the first training session, I woke up the next day barely able to move. The slow movements were deceptively vigorous on my body, plus my motions needed much improvement. But I persisted. After continuing the movements for several years, and getting more into the wonderful meditative flow of the movements I feel calmly invigorated doing TCC. I also noticed the coldness that I was plagued with going away as the Chi started flowing more freely in my body. As it continued to help the CFS, I was hooked. I love the way I feel when I do the movements regularly and would like to continue to learn the moves at such a level as to be able to teach them responsibly to other people.

I currently work at . . . a spiritual development center and learning community in Sequim, WA, that we opened this year. We offer T’ai Chi [Chih] classes there through our certified teacher, Karen Williamson, as well as meditation, and a variety of other classes to assist people to connect to the “vital forces” within them. Karen has taught this class very faithfully for several years but is feeling pulled in other areas right now. I am interested in becoming certified to be able to continue to offer these classes in our community. I am also somewhat involved in another national retreat network that I would love to offer T’ai Chi Chih to, as well as the local Senior Center and Boys & Girls club in our area. I look forward to hearing from you,

– Carol Murphy

The Vital Force answers

Hi Carol,

You will have to contact the teacher who is hosting the course in Fullerton, CA — Pam Towne — about the availability in that course. I believe there is space, but she will be able to tell you. Her phone number is.

I am glad to hear you are reading the articles in The Vital Force about the thorough preparation necessary for Teacher Training. You might try to meet with another teacher in your state and get his/her opinion about your level of readiness. There are two teachers who I would recommend that you contact, or either one. Ray Payne in Pasco, WA just came back from his Teacher Training in October, 2000 in Albuquerque, NM. I saw him at that training and know that he moved well. Since he has just taken the course, he could give you valuable insight on what is required and possibly work with you in tandem with your teacher on your preparation. Ray’s phone number is. Patricia Strand of Redmond, WA took her Teacher Training course in July, 2000 in Berkeley, CA and did struggle at the time.. [which she movingly wrote about in the Sept. 2000 issue of The Vital Force]. She made a great deal of effort and many breakthroughs during the week and has continued to work on her practice diligently since receiving her accreditation. She helped another teacher in Washington with her insights when that person attended the Teacher Training in Albuquerque last October. Patricia’s phone number is.

There are no events scheduled in the Washington or Oregon area at this time.

The main point I would make to you is that there is no reason to rush the process and go to the training unprepared (even to take over an existing program of T’ai Chi Chih classes). If you meet with Patricia and/or Ray and practice T’ai Chi Chih with them, I think you will get a better sense of where you stand. It would be up to them to as to what they might charge you for their time.

Good luck!

– Noel Altman, Editor
The Vital Force, Journal of T’ai Chi Chih