Teaching T’ai Chi Chih: Community Education and Cancer Center

Judith Jones, Redmond, WA

On January 3rd, I finished teaching my first T’ai Chi Chih Class since my October, 1994 accreditation. Wow! I knew I would enjoy teaching, but it’s even better than expected. Teaching TCC is at times indescribable!

As I teach, I truly feel I am passing on a gift given to me by Justin, Steve, Lynette Topper (my teacher), and the teachers and students who were part of my accreditation class. Thank you! A little bit of each of you is with me when I teach and when I practice.

I taught my first class at the Evergreen Cancer Center (part of Evergreen Hospital, Kirkland, WA) where I work as the Cancer Educator. My 12 students were my colleagues, my volunteers, cancer survivors, and community people. We had lots of laughs as we played with chi together. We had intense moments as we experienced chi together. I was humbled as a T’ai Chi Chih teacher as I experienced their learning. It is incredible to see the blossoming that TCC unfolds!

I am excited as I prepare for my next 8-week beginning class, a monthly intermediate class, and ongoing practices. I am also fortunate — I am teaching through Evergreen Hospital’s Community Education and as part of my full-time job. As other teaching opportunities come, I will welcome them. Right now though, it is wonderful to be teaching TCC at the hospital knowing it is valued by clients, staff, administration and our community.

I keep thinking of the wonderful energy that will permeate this healing environment as more and more people at Evergreen know and practice T’ai Chi Chih.