From: Stephen Thompson <stephen2816@mac.com>
Subject: Sandy's January 2016 Newsletter
Date: January 1, 2016 at 3:18:37 AM CST
To: stephen2816@mac.com

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Contents
Sandy McAlister's Message: Shaped by Many
Community Updates
Teacher & Student Survey Link
Justin's Insights & Chi Reflections
Events lead by the Guide and Teacher Trainers
Links to Resources & Materials
Mission Statement
Sandy's Message
Shaped by Many
In 1997 Mister Rogers received an Emmy for Life Time Achievement. In his acceptance speech he said,
“All of us have special ones who have loved us into being. Take 10 seconds to think of all the people who have helped you become who you are.”
See his 3 minute acceptance speech here
I would like to add that we not only remember the people who we have been close to and loved but also:
People who have helped us with direction when we have felt lost, whether it be physically, emotionally, or spiritually;
People who have lightened our load by assisting with a problem, such a car malfunction, or listening to our situation with their full attention;
People who have enriched our lives by sharing their life with us.  As we begin a new year it seems the natural time to take a few minutes and consider the past and those who have sharped it and helped birth our future.
May the spirit of Christmas which is Love
And the soul of the New Year which is Hope
Bear their fruit in Your Happiness
~Sandy McAlister in Hayward, California
Community Updates
Teachers and Students: Please help shape the future of our T’ai Chi Chih Community by taking the following survey:
This is the last month the survey will be available. To take it now, Click Here 
Plans for next year’s Teachers Conference are still in the works. As soon as we know the date and place an email will be sent to everyone who receives this newsletter.	
 	
Justin's Insights
Feel the Chi - Feel the Bliss
If one will do T’ai Chi Chih …  The movement of the Chi can be plainly felt,  And that feeling is one of Bliss. ~ Justin Stone.
Chi Reflections
The Invitation
One evening as I flew into St. Louis I found myself looking out the window as the plane gradually descended from the clouds. At one point the view cleared, and my eye caught a glimpse of something partially hidden below. Was it land, water, or perhaps just my imagination: Moments trailed together as I strained to perceive what the eye could not see: something was definitely out there.  Suddenly, without warning, a flash of white light lit up the night as the shining moon was reflected on the still surface of a small lake. My mind was momentarily confused as I struggled to determine the source of illumination. Hovering above and out of view, the brilliant moon was present, yet I hadn't noticed it until that moment.  How often is this the case in our T'ai Chi Chih practice? it may begin with a general felling of discomfort, the recognition of tension, or the discovery of a rough edge that wasn't there before. The certainty that was present a moment before quickly fades, and a small doubt begins to grow which may eventually overwhelm our enjoyment of the movement. Once again, the struggle is upon us.  T'ai Chi Chih is a wonderful spiritual practice because it requires each practitioner to discover his or her own way within the guidelines of the principles. As teachers, we must help out students learn how to move properly, and encourage them to continually examine the movements for new insights. I often tell students that it is impossible to think your way through the movements. You must feel your way along, as if searching in the dark for some unknown thing. There is no way to describe what you're looking for, so any advice you receive from the outside is of little help. Just keep focused on alignment and flowing from the center, be willing to try different approaches, and feel your way along. Eventually, you'll discover it, and then you'll know.  When teaching, I note which students are struggling and which ones are complacent. The latter ones are the most concerning because they rarely break through to the deeper levels in their T'ai Chi Chih practice. The struggle is a necessary part of the growth process, and a good teacher will respect and assist the student in every way possible without getting in the way. I encourage students to use unwavering attention during their practice, and to focus on the feeling rather than trying to remember every important point. Just let T'ai Chi Chih do T'ai Chi Chih and get out of the way. This can only be accomplished by letting go.  When a problem area is discovered in the T'ai Chi Chih movements, it is an invitation to deepen the practice, and this is something a serious student will not ignore. At times, the self-discovery process can be awkward, or even emotionally painful. This release is necessary to allow the Chi to flow more freely, and until that happens, it may feel like every way is blocked with no escape. If we stick to the principles we will make progress. Gradually, inevitably, a way through the barrier will be discovered, and a whole new world opens up in the practice, and in our lives.  ~Ed Altman  December 2000 Vital Force Journal  Reprinted with the permission of The Vital Force.  The Vital Force Archives: click here	
Events lead by the T'ai Chi Chih Guide and Teacher Trainers
2016
Feb. 24-28 Colorado INTENSIVE with Sandy  Contact: Marie Dotts mcdotts@hotmail.com
March 13, Oakland, CA, Teachers Workshop with Dan Pienciak  Contact: TBA
March10-13 Santa Barbara Teacher's Retreat with Sandy  Contact: Pam Towne pamtowne@gmail.com
March 15-18 Santa Barbara Teacher and Student Retreat with Sandy  Contact: Pam Towne pamtowne@gmail.com
Apr. 10-13 Aston, PA Teacher Symposium with Sandy  Contact: April Leffler lirpaleff@rcn.com
May 4-7 Prescott, AZ TCC Retreat with Pam  Contact: Pam Towne pamtowne@gmail.com
May 27- 29 Mendham, NJ Seijaku Teacher Training with Pam  Contact: Bill Moore tccwithbill@yahoo.com or 862-668-5753
May 29-June 4 Aston, PA TEACHER ACCREDITATION with Pam  Contact:TBA
June 19-25 Colorado TEACHER ACCREDITATION Daniel  Contact: Marie Dotts mcdotts@hotmail.com
Oct 9-13 Aston, PA INTENSIVE with Daniel  Contact: TBA
Oct. 16-19 Aston, PA Prajna Retreat with Sandy  Contact: April Leffler lirpaleff@rcn.com
Oct. 21-24 Near Orlando, FL TCC Silent Retreat with Pam  Contact: Anita Vestal vestala7@gmail.com or Susan Quinn rsusanquinn@gmail.com
Nov. 17-19 Albuquerque, NM Seijaku Accreditation with Pam  Contact: Robert Montes de Oca r_montes7769@msn.com
More T'ai Chi Chih Events
Click here for additional events including those lead by dedicated Teachers, as well as the Guide and Teacher Trainers  Attending T'ai Chi Chih events is an excellent way for you to receive helpful feedback, improve your practice, and to be with other T'ai Chi Chih practitioners.	
Links to Resources & Materials
T'ai Chi Chih Photo Textbook Phone Apps  For both iPhone & Android phones can be downloaded and purchased online for only $9.95.  Get the Android application: click here
Get the Apple app: click here
Justin Stone's: DVDs/Videos, Books, CDs/Audios - click here
Sandy McAlister's Seated T'ai Chi Chih DVD - click here
Pam Towne's Serenity in the Midst of Activity DVD: click here
Skype Lessons with Pam: click here
Seijaku Booklet:  $3/copy + $1.20 (1st Class)  $20/ 10 copies + $3.60 (1st Class) or $2.70 media rate  $35/ 20 copies + $6.00 (1st Class) or $3.20 media rate  Make checks payable to:  T'ai Chi Chih International Foundation  Send check to:  Ann Rutherford, 1534 Wagon Train SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123
Web Resources:
Official website: click here
Facebook: click here
Pinterest Justin's Quotes: click here
Pinterest: click here
Instagram: click here
Twitter: click here
Flickr: click here
Youtube: click here
T'ai Chi Chih Community: click here
T'ai Chi Chih International Foundation:  A 501(c)3 nonprofit agency which:  Sponsors our annual Teachers Conferences;  Provides scholarship funds for Teacher Accreditation and Continuing Education;  Tax deductible donations can be made out to and send to: T'ai Chi Chih International Foundation, PO Box 517, Midland Park, NJ, 07432
T'ai Chi Chih Association: click here  Produces a monthly publication - T'ai Chi Chih News. Sells books from Justin Stone's Recommended Reading List.
The Vital Force newsletter: click here
The Vital Force Archives: click here
T'ai Chi Chih Guides' free monthly newsletter -- Sign-Up link: click here
T'ai Chi Chih Guides' Archived newsletters:click here	
 	
Mission Statement
The International T'ai Chi Chih Community of students and accredited teachers is dedicated to the personal practice of T'ai Chi Chih and to sharing with the world this form of moving meditation and its benefits affecting body, mind, and spirit.	

  	

	
©2016 T'ai Chi Chih | P.O. Box 361, Tupelo, MS 38802

	
	
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