Zooming into the Future of TCC

Justin Stone taught that Chi operates outside of time and space and therefore is immune to their limitations. This explains how people have felt a strong flow of Chi in online T’ai Chi Chih classes, workshops and retreats even though participants are miles apart.

During the TCC Intensive that Sandy and I led on Zoom in August, thousands of miles separated people from the West Coast, East Coast and the United Kingdom, from where Lesley Nell joined us in spite of an eight-hour time difference. Participants were surprised to feel as connected with each other and just as strong a flow of Chi as if we were in the same room.

Each time I’ve led a TCC class or Zoom event I’ve learned something new. Participants are always willing to help out and share what they know. Taking five- to 10-minute breaks every hour helps relieve Zoom fatigue, especially for day-long classes.

Zoom Breakout rooms were a delightful discovery, as people love working on a movement with partners or in small groups. (Hosts must activate a switch, buried in the Zoom video settings, for participants before they can access breakout rooms.)

Have you taken or taught a TCC class on Zoom yet? I highly recommend it. The platform is easy to learn, even for technology-adverse people. During COVID-19, it’s an ideal platform to gather to practice TCC while sheltering in the safety and comfort of our homes.

Are you resisting being online more? I can relate. Yet the benefits of sharing TCC via Zoom while so many teaching venues are shut down outweighs our personal preference. And who knows whether there will be more COVID-19 spikes and shutdowns over the coming months.

I’m following my advice and leading online TCC classes, a monthly workshop, Seijaku, retreats and our first online Teacher Accreditation in November. I encourage you to support yourself and others by participating in TCC on Zoom. You can do more good than you know by practicing and sharing TCC.