Transformation & Empowerment

Editor’s Note: During two conference breakout sessions on “T’ai Chi Chih: Part of All You Do,” facilitator Hannah Hedrick invited participants to reflect on how TCC manifests in their ordinary, mundane lives, beyond their practice. More than 20 teachers participated in each session, yet almost all of the “testimonials” reflected transformation (of behavior, perception or attitude) or empowerment (experienced or observed). Hannah invites session participants to expand on their comments; others are also encouraged to write about how TCC is a part of all they do.

Balance & Creativity, Steering The Course Of Our Lives

Without exception, TCC teachers themselves benefitted from making TCC a part of all they do. They were able to be more patient and compassionate in the face of challenges and resistance; they learned to respect the ways in which others achieved balance, whether through computer games or crafts.

Mark Moloney, who was unable to attend either session, provided a written statement. Mark wrote that TCC “has reinforced awareness of yin/yang balance inside me and all around me. When strong emotions have pulled me off center, TCC has helped me sense those emotions and find a balancing antidote, a yang for too much yin, or some yin for yang that’s gone overboard. TCC stimulates people in creative endeavors (which includes all of us because steering the course of our lives and choosing to go with the flow are among the most creative things we do), helping me to overcome blockages of ego confusion.”

Response Of Others To Chi

Non-humans: A surprising number of observations related to TCC’s positive impact of TCC on non-humans. As Suni McHenry commented, “Animals sense enhanced Chi.” Several people reported butterflies landing on their hands during their practices. Cats purr and come close. Fish form schools when TCC is done near the water. Ravens and eagles “pay attention” when TCC is done in their habitat. Curly, a bossy little bird, was so mesmerized by a TCC practice done near him that he swayed back and forth and then fell off his perch; now he falls asleep during the TCC practice. A parrot that usually prefers to stay on its perch gets on the floor when its owner practices TCC and bobs and weaves. Rabbits and shy animals can be so entranced that they do not move, even when cars drive by.

Spouses, family members: Some spouses do not have a positive attitude toward TCC and report that they feel shut out from something important in the world of the loved one. But several TCC teachers described the “transformation” in their spouse’s or family members’ perception of TCC. Initially, some spouses felt resentful and threatened when their partners went to or taught classes or practiced TCC. Some “acted out” by being demanding or grumpy or by creating distractions. But most teachers reported that over time, family reactions became more accepting and loved ones were able to appreciate something that so obviously benefited their loved ones. In one case, a spouse tagged along to a TCC conference; when asked by a teacher if he was with the conference, he felt so left out he later learned the movements, went to a TCC retreat and felt honored when Justin corrected him.

Some spouses feel that they benefit by “osmosis” from being around a partner practicing TCC. One husband revealed that over several years, he moved from his initial impression of “Doing this stuff can’t be good” to becoming an accredited teacher himself. In a case with a very different outcome, a husband felt that TCC was creating distance between him and his wife. He kept saying he wanted to learn TCC, but finally took a class only when separation was imminent. Ironically, TCC helped him become the man his former wife wanted him to be.

Health care facilities: Seeing an “attitude adjustment” in health care facilities appeared to be a common experience for TCC teachers. Because many teachers are older and have survived chronic conditions, surgeries and other hospitalizations and rehabilitations, they have lots of opportunities to practice in health care settings, where practitioners and fellow patients frequently reported that just watching someone do TCC helped them reduce stress. Similarly, grandmother-aged teachers have seen that TCC calms down an 8-week old, while an 8-month-old granddaughter sways as the grandma is yinning and yanging.

“Evolution through Chi”

Powerful examples of overcoming grief, fear and other unbalancing emotions (including feeling “weird”) emerged during the session. Most teachers noted a significant “transformation” in the way they responded to death and other losses, extreme stress and volatile situations. After becoming TCC teachers, they could see the “mystical” aspects” of distressing situations. Instead of responding with tears, anger and feelings of helplessness, they were able to be direct without being upset in situations such as spouse job changes, accusations of being self-centered, verbal attacks and emotional abuse. TCC empowered people to be themselves even when other people perceived them as being “weird.” Seijaku was specifically cited for its benefits in self-acceptance and for being tranquil in the midst of disruptive behaviors.

The younger people were when they started doing TCC, the more quickly benefits accumulated, including the courage to make TCC a part of all they do, at the risk of not being accepted by others. One younger teacher reported that TCC allowed him to be himself, and that he is very grateful to be at to this point of acceptance where he can talk about it with other people. An older teacher expressed gratitude for being able to become the kind of calm, centered person she used to admire many years ago. Another commented on the ability to work through the many layers of “being” and to see that everything is okay.

Other examples of “evolution through Chi” included no longer feeling that you have to explain or defend something, the ability to “disengage” or “not go there” and the ability to “detoxify “ without having to “defend, explain, justify.” At other times, people can sincerely “apologize for the impact” or say “You may be right” without feeling they have to defend themselves.

An extreme example of the positive impact of “embedding” TCC was reflected in the story of a teacher whose husband’s friend was killed in an accident when the husband was driving: “TCC saved my life that day.” The “empowerment” aspect of the story was enhanced when a small boy “with joy in his eyes” joined her when she did rocking motion while waiting for a prescription at the pharmacy.

“Joy through Movement,” the subject of a morning presentation, was referenced in an empowerment story about a woman named Joy who came to class using a walker. The teacher invited her to participate while sitting or lying down. Joy persevered, eventually walking with a cane and learning to do TCC well and volunteer in a health care facility, although she walks with difficulty.