Teacher News (March 1997)

California

Vic and Maggie Berg, San Rafael, CA recently announced the birth of their daughter, Kelsey.

Marianne Merritt, Galt, CA works in the California Prison System. She also teaches T’ai Chi Chih to both staff and inmates. Recently she submitted this poetry:

Sandy McAlister, Hayward, CA and Lois Mahaney, San Lorenzo, CA, recently appeared on local TV to discuss ‘seated’ T’ai Chi Chih which is an on-going activity for older adults, at Casa Sandoval, a retirement community complex in Hayward, CA. Lois has appeared previously on the TV program for seniors entitled Transitions to discuss the benefits of T’ai Chi Chih. Sandy is one of several SF Bay Area teachers teaching ‘seated’ TCC.

Paul Ciske, Ph.D. is an exercise physiologist and personal trainer. In mid-October Paul is organizing a week-long T’ai Chi Chih Vacation Retreat on the island of Hawaii. Use your 1997 Teachers’ Directory to contact him, if interested. Paul also owns a personal fitness consulting business and teaches T’ai Chi Chih and a holistic form of aerobics at the Courthouse Athletic Club in Oakland, CA.

Susan Hudgens from San Jose, CA, has been conducting outdoor Group Practice at the Warm Springs Community Center Park in Fremont, CA on the 3rd Sunday of each month at 1:00 p.m. ongoing through May. All are welcome to participate regardless of experience.

The Seijaku/Meditation Retreat to be held at the Santa Sabina Center in San Rafael, Ca is scheduled to begin on Friday, April 25 and conclude Monday April 28. This retreat is open to students and teachers who have completed Seijaku training. Contact: Noel Altman. (See Events Calendar, page 21, for details.)

Iowa

Sister Nancy Hoffman, Iowa City, IA, is now teaching TCC at Prairiewoods: Franciscan Spirituality Center in Hiawatha. She has already taught a daytime and an evening class and will start a new cycle in January 1997.

Linda and Joe Michaud have been teaching through Kirkwood Community College in Iowa City. 24 people registered for the first class; 27 are registered in their current class. They report that one makes only a modest amount per student when teaching for a community college, but advertising, space and bookkeeping are provided. Interest in TCC is strong in their area.

In Cedar Rapids, IA Russ Brown has been teaching TCC for years and is currently teaching for Mercy Hospital Wellness Center. Russ was Linda Michaud’s TCC teacher. Russ reports that hospitals with wellness programs for the community are another good place to get started.

Illinois

Linda Prosche, Chicago, IL, is a graphic designer who has studied yoga for over ten years. A certified T’ai Chi Chih instructor, she is currently pursuing a MA in Health Care Design. Additionally, Linda presents a program called Bodies that Move as part of The Natural Healing Resource and Support Center.

New Mexico

T’ai Chi Chih Teachers Association and TCC Center News: February featured T’ai Chi Chih Review and Seijaku Review practice with Justin Stone as fund raisers to benefit the TCC Center in Albuquerque. Justin will also conduct a Two-Day Meditation Retreat in New Jersey on June 7-8, and again on June 9-10. (See page 21 for details.)

New Basic Classes at the Center were started in February by Robert Montes De Oca, Beverly McFarland, Suni McHenry, and John Jacoby. Carmen Brocklehurst has a Review Class scheduled to begin March 8.

The New Mexico Nurses Association has agreed to responsor the NM TCC Teachers Association in allowing nursing continuation hours for beginner TCC classes. Rhonda St. Martin, RN, is the Program Administrator.

A memorial “Celebration of Life” for Leona B. Dees was held at the UNM Chapel on February 2 with reception following at the Maxwell Museum. (See page 9 for her memoriam.)

North Carolina

Sue Intemann, from Wendell, NC (see her profile on page 31) writes that she is pursuing an independent study on stress reduction techniques this Spring. The two techniques she has chosen are T’ai Chi Chih and humor. She would enjoy hearing from anyone having a past publication that specifically addresses T’ai Chi Chih and stress management. Use your TCC Teachers’ Directory to contact her through her TCC instructor, Marjorie Peltier.

Sue also plans to recommend T’ai Chi Chih as a pre- and post-operative “meditation” and exercise in a patient education manual she is writing for the surgeon who did her reconstructive surgery. The manual should be completed by summertime. Additionally, she plans to introduce T’ai Chi Chih to her support group of reconstructive surgery patients.

Ohio

Marlene Brown of Cincinnati, OH reports that the University of Cincinnati has been awarded a grant to study T’ai Chi Chih. Joyce Santana, a nurse will head the study working with Christine Callella through the College of Medicine. Marlene Brown also reports that she will teach two new eight week TCC classes (back to back) at the National Institute of Safety and Health beginning in May. She states, “It shows a real change is occurring when a government agency calls to request T’ai Chi Chih classes at their facility.” Marlene’s busy schedule includes hosting a Teacher Training in April and a Two-Day Retreat with Justin Stone in June. (See pages 20 and 21 for details.)

Wisconsin

Barbara Peller Sommers, Cumberland, WI has been teaching T’ai Chi Chih to local hospital staff members. During the harsh winter months she conducts private classes until ‘spring thaw’.