TCC & COVID-19 (November 2020)

I began teaching T’ai Chi Chih five years ago and held classes in my backyard, parks, the senior center and Curves Gym. TCC is pure joy to me and I love my students. Life had a great rhythm with TCC five mornings a week.

Then COVID-19 showed up. What to do? What could I do? What more could I do?

I kept teaching, following all rules and mandates. I moved to two local parks and taught five mornings in Long Beach and one afternoon in Bellflower. The parks were closed but the grass and the mature growth trees were open and welcoming. We had plenty of space and a beautiful atmosphere in which to practice.

Students, mostly from my previous classes, wore masks and kept 10 feet from one another. The police approved and as the days passed more people joined us, all experiencing joy and healing.

The opportunity was rewarding: we kept contact and had a safe place to practice. We were out in nature and dedicated our practices to harmony and peace in the land.

Students wanted to share their impressions with you: this class saved my life … we’re doing something bigger than us … we’re not isolated … we’re moving and still learning … we make a community of caring souls … we are greatly rewarded and are in this together … we show progress and learn about ourselves and each other … we are part of the peace process.