Year’s largest training held in NM

October 23 – 28

By Rhonda St. Martin

Course Co-Host

The sixth and largest T’ai Chi Chih teachers training course this year was held in October at the Albuquerque TCC Center. Seventeen teacher candidates from all over the country, including three from Albuquerque, came to spend the week with us. Throughout stormy weather (especially the first two days!) Ed gently and relentlessly led the candidates and several auditing teachers through movements. It deepened our experience and understanding of TCC. He focussed us on alignment of the body and alignment of integrity and reminded us on the final day to “allow the integrity of TCC to be foremost in your mind.”

A real bonus for these teacher candidates was Justin’s daily visits to class. Many candidates met him for the first time as he demonstrated movements and gave practical advice on presentations such as “Use your own words to express your own experience of TCC” and “NO mumbling!” Candidates enthusiastically welcomed his enrichment of this course. It was heartening to witness the working relationship between the Originator of TCC and his appointed Head. They provided a moving example of how all of us as teachers and forever-students can respectfully relate to one another.

Throughout the week candidates’ movements (in body and mind) were broken down and reconstructed. The variety and quality of presentations were excellent. If one tear was shed by an individual it was certainly felt by the entire group. Such connecting and support of each other only enhanced those quiet moments of surrender when we moved together with softness and continuity.

Three candidates were given deferred accreditation status. It is painful to see a student ill prepared by their teacher for the high expectations of the teacher accreditation course. Deferral status is also a reflection of Ed’s commitment to admit only teachers of the highest ability to the teaching community. Such practice will undoubtedly ensure the purity and longevity of T’ai Chi Chih. It was a humbling reminder to all of us to bring patience and self evaluation to our practice.

This course was blessed with many auditing teachers including Roberta Taggert, Pam Towne, Lovena Warren, Joanne Lovejoy, Jim Shorr, Amy Hackenberg and Noel Altman from out of state. Albuquerque teachers included the training planning committee members of Co-Hosts Dora Derzon and Rhonda St. Martin, Dennis Zallen, Amy Tyksinski, and Guy Kent. Local Good Karma Distributor Carmen Brocklehurst attended along with several other local teachers including Victor Berg, Ann Rutherford, Connie Hyde, Robert Montes De Oca, Suni McHenry, Caroline Chavez, Kathy Grassel, Toni Mora, Marjie Bassler, Ellen Tatge, and Beverly McFarland. . . .

The efforts of so many went into this training course. It is a true reflection of the simple and uncompromising goal of spreading the experience and joy of TCC. Thank you Ed for your forthright and skillful leadership. Thank you Dora for co-hosting this event with such maturity and grace. It was fun working with you again. On a personal note I was given the gift of renewed inspiration and commitment to daily practice for which I am grateful. . . .