TCC at the Sea

The variety of teacher presentations at the conference made it hard to select just one in each time slot. They were all excellent, but one took my breath away: T’ai Chi at the Sea with Judy Chancey. I love the ocean and practice on a grassy knoll overlooking it when possible, so I imagined what Judy would include. Instead, she explained that she works with veterans through the national “T’ai Chi Fundamentals” program.

Judy’s idea of inviting participants to wade into the sea up to waist or chest level begins the practice. Vets are asked to feel the wave action moving them gently. She uses none of the familiar descriptions that we use in our teaching; everything here is “of the sea.” She extends the metaphor with the feeling of sinking into the sand at their feet and expands that with bringing a heel forward. Some images were of hands going into the water and out of the water (Bass Drum), splashing water in their faces (Daughter in the Valley), and a porpoise tossing them a ball (Carry the Ball to the Side). The “taffies” turn into throwing a frisbee.

I initially wanted to work with vets, but was overwhelmed by the program’s requirements, and at a loss about how to present the material in a new way. Judy figured it out and will help so many vets.