Teaching Tips & Stories

Editor’s Note: Stan has requested that this be a regular column. Always happy to oblige. In fact, always happy to fill entire issues with tips and stories.

First a tip: In teaching the forward and back movement, I start by calling for the left heel to be moved forward, shifting your weight onto that foot as you move forward. Feel your right knee straighten and then go forward a bit more and the right heel will be peeled a bit off the floor. Then shift your weight back to the back foot. Feel our left knee straighten, and then go backward a bit more and the left toes will be peeled off the floor. After coming back to rest, bring the right heel forward and repeat, all the while keeping the top half of the body upright and the head at the same level as you move.

Now, a story: My neighbor has multiple myeloma, a cancer that is usually fatal. When the doctors told her they could do no more, they told her she needed to build up her immune system. When I heard this, I offered to teach her T’ai Chi Chih. After a beginner class and an advanced class, she increased her practice to every day. Her blood and bones were recently tested and she is one of a small group with her cancer in remission. Did TCC help bring the healing? I don’t know but sure hope so.