US Winter Teacher Training in Florida, 2024

by

Margaret Olmsted

The US Winter Teacher Training was held January 14-19, 2024, in Neptune Beach, Florida in Donnalea and Tome Goelz’s beautiful studio. Neptune Beach is a charming beach community where restaurants and hotels are within walking distance of the studio as well as Airbnb accommodations nearby.

Forty-eight teachers gathered for deep study and playful fun. The yin quality of winter was present with mostly overcast skies, rainfall, and temperatures down to freezing on occasion. The weather complemented our meditative, inward self-reflection experienced through our form, sensing hands, and sword work.

The theme throughout the training was set by lead teacher Jonathan Stow: Unity – within ourselves and with others. Other senior teachers who taught were Paul Campbell, Greg Woodson, Margaret Matsumoto, Margaret Olmsted, Thomas Malone, Bob Etherington, Kate Mansfield, Vicki Shackford, Mark Preston, and Steve Shulman. Each teacher wove the theme of unity into the work they presented – whether it was form work, push hands, or sword form and fencing. A great emphasis was on softening in our responses, from the feet up, softening our attitudes toward ourselves, and how to convey a soft relaxation to our students.

In addition to classes all together, there was advanced work for some, and a B1 apprenticeship for eight students who were trained on how to teach the first third of the form. We also had a lecture on Polyvagal Theory, which is about the role of the vagus nerve in emotional regulation, social connection, and somatic fear responses and about how tai chi is of great benefit to this.

Another highlight of the training was the Kids’ Games that had been developed by Patrick Watson. We were guided through the games with the help of two apprentices at the training that were among the first kids to learn the games with their parents many decades ago! There was much joy and laughter as we enjoyed fun ways to explore tai chi principles. We hope to offer these games more often.

In the final Treasure Chest on the last day, participants expressed gratitude for the unity of our community and the joy of working together.

The training ended with a fun party and delicious Thai food. We enjoyed a funny skit and some jokes, poetry, and music.

Many thanks to Tom and Donnalea for hosting us, to the local apprentices Michael Tillman and Jay Fogg for taking care of security, the new B1 apprentices for helping with the party, and to everyone else who organized and taught, and made the training such a rousing success.

See you at the next training!

Photos by Brian Blackmore