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Each year in January, the teachers of the Tai Chi Foundation meet to work and train together in the US and Europe. This year in the US, we met in Nashville, Tennessee, for the first time. Kudos to local TCF Tai Chi teacher Anna Teeples for finding Millenium Dance Studio, an affordable place with multiple rooms available to us. The studio walls were adorned with inspiring words: All is One, Unity in Diversity, Imagine. We felt at home, with all our needs met, and were grateful to new teachers Kimiko and Richard Tucker for providing healthy snacks, tea, coffee, and other support. We all felt well taken care of! At least two great restaurants (Thai and Uzbeki) were within walking distance, and hotels and Airbnbs were close enough to drive to at lunch. Carpools ensured transportation from the hotel, and Ubers were available as needed.
Margaret Olmsted, Gerrie Sporken and Greg Woodson were the Legacy Holders (senior teachers who studied with TCF founder Patrick Watson), ensuring the quality of the teaching with support from a host of other teachers. There was a lot of goodwill as the 46 participants practiced and learned together. On the first day, local Nashville students were invited to practice tai chi rounds with us, and many came, filling the large studio. Most had never had the experience of doing tai chi with such a large group and were delighted to be part of it.
On the third day, we celebrated our school’s 50th anniversary!! We showed a new video of Patrick Watson, shared stories, and answered questions. We also reflected on what is needed to ensure 50 more years.
TCF is experiencing wonderful growth. It was great to offer apprenticeships to teachers from all our main centers. We were happy to welcome eleven people to the beginning, B1 apprenticeship and 13 others to their next level in learning to teach.
Classes taught:
- Apprenticeships: B1, B2, Fundamentals, Intermediate Form and PH 2
- The Meaning of the Form Experienceship
- How to Adjust Seminar
- Daily meditations
- PH 2, 4 and 7
- Two levels of sword form
- Winter Form Work
- 8th level advanced work
Four inches of snow fell on the last day of the training and created a winter wonderland. We met it with mostly good cheer. After all the classes, we had the final treasure chest, which brought out lots of warm feelings and positive reports, with one new teacher saying we had restored his faith in humanity. Wherever we go, we generate good qi and good feelings together. We really are One.
On the last night, the new B1 apprentices presented a very funny skit: demonstrating the “fourth third” of the form, with the apprentices doing the form on their knees – in tai chi shoes. The final party took place in a restaurant we could all walk to – OSH – with Uzbekistan regional cuisine. Very tasty! We gave the restaurant hosts a hearty cheer. After dinner we enjoyed songs and poems from those attending.
Thank you again to all who participated, and kudos to the local team, Tai Chi Nash, for their superb preparatory work. We all went home with a big dose of Nashville qi!
We hope to see everyone—teachers and students alike—at one of our summer retreats later this year: Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, in June, Whidbey Island in Washington State in July, and Cheltenham, England, in August. TCF retreats are a great way to begin a tai chi journey, and the public is invited to attend.
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Experience our community and the richness of studying tai chi.
You can learn more about tai chi by exploring the diverse offerings of the Tai Chi Foundation (TCF). TCF provides live online courses, allowing you to participate in guided sessions in the comfort of your home. These virtual classes offer unique opportunities to connect with experienced instructors, ensuring that you receive personalized guidance and feedback. Additionally, the Tai Chi Foundation offers Teachable on-demand classes, providing a flexible and accessible way to learn at your own pace. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced practitioner, these online resources offer a wealth of knowledge to enrich your tai chi journey. For those seeking a more hands-on experience, check out the regular course offerings of TCF’s affiliated local schools.
Be sure to check out our new TCF 50th Anniversary Shop, where you can find stylish tai chi t-shirts and other great branded merchandise!
TCF is a not-for-profit educational organization that promotes, funds, and teaches programs that enable people to learn tai chi chuan and embody its principles.
2025 Tai Chi Foundation
Group photo by Patrice Wooldridge
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