TCC Teacher Trainers fly to Albuquerque after conference to meet with Justin Stone

The 18th Annual T’ai Chi Chih Teachers’ Conference was a success. The planning committee’s attentiveness to detail in preparing for the conference ensured that our needs were taken care of and the conference flowed smoothly. CheryAnn Hoffmeyer and Louise Bureau, as co-chairpersons, did a wonderful job setting the tone at the conference. Their poise and gracious demeanor gently lead us through the conference, keeping us on track, enabling us to stay present to receive the full benefit of what was being offered.

A highlight for me was having many teachers presenting. Our community is full of teachers rich in experience. The more we all share our knowledge and teaching experiences, the richer we all become.

I was proud of the T’ai Chi Chih community for the way they faced the announcement of Ed, Noel, and Jean’s retirement. There were a variety of emotions expressed by the teachers, but underlying it all seemed to be the acceptance of the inevitability of change. It is the process of letting go of the known and facing the uncertainty of the future that makes change emotionally difficult.

Ed Altman, as Head of the T’ai Chi Chih Community, Noel Altman, as Editor of The Vital Force, and Jean Katus, Publisher of Good Karma Publishing, Inc., have each given years of service to the T’ai Chi Chih community. I celebrate their many accomplishments and acknowledge their hours and hours of work for all of our benefit. I have delighted in seeing their personal growth as they faced challenges in their work. I thank them for their integrity with which they performed their jobs.

I would especially like to acknowledge and thank Ed. Ed has been a cherished mentor to me. When he asked me to take on the position of teacher trainer, he listened to my concerns and insecurities and then encouraged me to go beyond my comfort level. Working with Ed these past two years has been a lesson in balancing softness with strength — softness in not forcing or demanding a direction or choice, and strength in knowing what you feel is right and holding your center. While working together the past two years we have developed a close and lasting friendship for which I am grateful.

Justin has asked Pam Towne and myself to continue in our capacity as teacher trainers, leading workshops, retreats, intensives, and teacher training courses. Ed, Pam, and I have worked closely together in the past two years to ensure consistency in the courses offered. That cooperative closeness will not change as Pam and I continue to work together, bringing continuity to the community. I thank the community and Justin for the support I receive which allows me to continue to serve.

– Sandy McAlister

Pam Towne

The Banff Conference was a wonderful time of deepening our practice…renewing our commitment to TCC Joy Thru Movement…connecting with our TCC family. It also gave us the announcement of a change in leadership. Like many teachers, I felt shocked…yet not surprised…at Ed’s retirement as “head” of the TCC Community. Having worked closely with him, I know better than most how much caring, time & energy he put into leadership.

My heartfelt gratitude goes to Ed & all those who have been of such great service to our community…especially to Noel for her excellent editing of the VFJ…to Jean Katus for running Good Karma Publishing for 15 years…to Kathy Albers for taking on the job of Information/Outreach Coordinator…to Ted Fleischman for webmastering…to Marjie Bassler for her work on the VFJ.

Each of these dear ones will be greatly missed! Yet T’ai Chi Chih Joy Thru Movement will go on. Others will step forward to fill the volunteer positions vacated. If you feel led to be of service in a greater way, consider volunteering as Information Services coordinator…or webmaster…or whatever you see needs to be done.

This is a time for us to unite as a community…to let go of whatever emotions we may be experiencing…to focus on principles above personalities…and to let our TCC practice show up in our lives as Joy thru Movement. That’s what I intend to do…and to continue working as a Teacher Trainer.

With Love & Blessings to each of you,

– Pam Towne