Categories: Conference Presentations & Reflections
TCC Intensive – Buffalo, Minnesota, May 2017
By: Ev Hanson-Florin (St Paul) and Nancy Werner-Azarski (Minneapolis)
Minnesota
What does one envision when thinking of an Intensive? Here are thoughts from some of the recent attendees: teacher candidates, serious students, and teachers from California, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Ontario, Canada. We arrived as individuals and, through Sandy’s leadership, left as members of the T’ai Chi Chih family.
“The intensive was all of these: from exhausting to exhilarating; from frustrating attention on pieces to liberating emergence of the whole; from my own awkwardly formed questions to insightful observations by others; from stiffly pushing with my thoughts to softly flowing from the center; from arriving as strangers to departing as friends.”
– Dick Dye
“I went to the TCC Intensive thinking that it may be too intense, but instead it was informative and affirmative. Sandy “broke down” each movement in a clear and concise way, had us practice the individual parts, and then put the movements back into a “whole.” This made it possible to experience improvement and have a better understanding of each movement at the end of the process.”
– Terry Sonier
“The sensation of stillness, that’s what I felt during our practices. What I loved the most were the people – such a lovable, eclectic, loving and supportive community. Everyone was helping everyone to grow and learn. I want to thank Sandy for her guidance, love and laughter. Thanks also to Ev and Nancy for encouragement, support, and hosting.”
– Dee Rushenberg
“After a 10-year lapse in my practice, I wanted to revive it. I considered taking a class, but never moved forward on that. When the flyer for this Intensive came out, I knew instinctively I should sign up. It quickly reacquainted me with the movements and the benefits of balancing my Chi. Sandy’s creative analogies helped to lock a concept in my head. I also appreciated her tactful, but honest feedback.”
– Jeanne Hamlin
“The Intensive has given me a deeper sense of the movements. Analyzing each movement from start to close, and then reconstructing and synchronizing each move to wholeness, allowed me to ground with a deep quietude, instinctively feel from my center, and be in the moment flowing in the Chi.”
– Jamie Erickson
“Besides meeting wonderful people and having a fantastic time, I took away many nuggets of wisdom to incorporate into my practice and share with my TCC community. I benefited not only from personal instruction, but also from hearing Sandy’s attention to detail in every move as we worked as a group. The most impactful nugget was for Bird Flaps Its Wings. Sandy got me to look at moving from flat feet to the balls of my feet as a weight shift. Seeing it this way allowed me to flow in a smoother motion.”
– Tracy Immordino
Page Header: The Lighter Side
Topics: Bird Flaps Its Wings, Conferences and Retreats, Deepening Practice, Group Practice, Minnesota, Weight Shift
Originally appeared in: August 2017
