Teacher News (September 1996)

Arizona

Don Fiore, Phoenix, AZ, volunteered his services with as exceptional group of fourth graders at Charter Public School System in Phoenix, AZ. during the past school year. Both students and teacher want to continue with the weekly T’ai Chi Chih sessions in the fifth grade.

Several students enjoy doing the movements at home daily. Their school teacher, Laura Wanstreet, has noticed not only a calming effect for herself, but also better study habits and attitudes in the children from their practice of T’ai Chi Chih.

California

Marianne Merritt, Galt, CA, is now teaching T’ai Chi Chih to the staff as well as prisoners at the California prison where she works. “Students are very honest about their results,” which surprised me, said Merritt. The Warden has instituted no smoking now as T’ai Chi Chih is offered for relaxation. Ten signed up for classes on the first day it was announced. “Even the supervising psychologist called and requested to take the first class.” Merritt remarked, then added, “It is rewarding to come upon prisoners practicing out in the yard — singly and in groups.”

Paul Ciske, Ph.D., certified TCC instructor and Personal Fitness Trainer, is sponsoring a TCC Retreat on the Island of Hawaii November 4-10. The retreat will be held at Kalani Oceanside Eco-Resort located within Hawaii’s largest conservation area.

Joanne Sultar, Oakland, CA, gave a T’ai Chi Chih demonstration at the Harbor Bay Athletic Club on September 1. She has been teaching at Alameda Parks and Recreation for more than four years, the Mastic Senior Center in Alameda, and Kaiser-Permanente in Oakland.

New Mexico

Caroline Chavez and Ann Doering of Albuquerque, NM were invited to demonstrate T’ai Chi Chih to forty Navajo elders during the afternoon of the Elderly Falls Prevention Project Fair. With simple English instructions, they showed how the movements are performed without tension and with respect for their physical limitations. Their goal was to convey how T’ai Chi Chih can reduce falls among the elderly by strengthening their muscles and confidence, and how to rotate the body slowly while maintaining their balance.

Crowpoint is the second Indian community to invite the University of New Mexico’s School of Medicine, Center for Health Promotion in American Indian Communities to demonstrate T’ai Chi Chih. Ann and Caroline visited Jemez Pueblo last fall. Possible future grants will allow them to return to both groups to teach complete classes.

New York

Ralph Garn, Syracuse, NY is teaching a class that turned out to be a ‘sit-down’ group. So he sat down! Part of his self-practice has been in the sitting position to get the ‘hands on’ experience to be able to empathize with all participating. He would love to hear from other teachers about their ‘sit-down’ teaching techniques.