Through a Beginner’s Eyes

Student of Noel Altman

As soon as I noticed the May 28 Workshop with Ed Altman on the TCC web site, I registered to attend without hesitation. I knew what a rare opportunity this was and didn’t want to miss out. Okay, so I hadn’t even taken my first class yet, big deal. The workshop was being held on the weekend after my fifth class. By then, I would have some clue as to what was going on. Right?

It wasn’t until the day of the workshop that I started to have reservations about going. I thought to myself; “Who do you think you are? You have no right going to this work shop. This is something that you have to “earn.” You attended only FIVE classes. You only know up to “Daughter in the Valley,” and you keep screwing THAT up… you shouldn’t be going.” I was nervous and excited. I decided to go, even if I had to sit in the back and observe the whole time.

From the minute I walked in the door, I knew I belonged there. There was an overwhelming vibe of “coolness.” Everyone was friendly and “at peace.” I was no longer nervous. I realized that I had attended this workshop to learn, and so did every other person in that room. I felt honored to be in that room. To be taught by someone as knowledgeable and gifted as Ed Altman. To have this opportunity to observe a room full of poetry, grace, elegance and energy. WOW!

As the day progressed, something dawned on me. Some of the people in that room with me, the “I’ve only taken five classes” beginner, had been practicing TCC for 20 years. Some of them were Teachers and yet, they were still students — just like me. They too were there to learn from Ed. They too were there to find their faults and then concentrate on improving them. I no longer had to strive for perfection, just constant improvement.

By the time the work shop was over, I wished it had been longer, or maybe even two days. I had absorbed so much knowledge but craved more. I couldn’t wait to apply everything I learned that day in my next practice.

That night, I dreamed about T’ai Chi Chih. I was floating, just like Ed described. In my dream, T’ai Chi Chih was doing T’ai Chi Chih. I had perfect balance, perfect alignment, perfect form…then Justin screamed; “It’s all wrong!”

When I woke, I couldn’t wait to begin my practice. Everything Ed taught me was racing through my mind. I visualized being at the workshop and doing the movements as he described. There was a difference in my balance, my yinning and yanging, my concentration. My pace slowed, I felt more at ease and, well, the best way I can describe the difference is that it was like taking the BART train as opposed to the NYC subway.

I felt empowered. Going to that workshop was powerful even if I had only taken five classes. I got from it what I was supposed to get, nothing more, nothing less.

I look forward to future workshops, to receiving my Vital Force subscription, to constantly improving my practice and, eventually, in a few years, when I have earned it, to becoming a teacher. I would love to teach children. I have two sons (five and six) who have already taken an interest in TCC and have asked me to teach them. I am hopeful that they will be patient, as it may take me a few years to get to that place. Even as a beginner, I know that the journey will be well worth it.