Dịch
by Marina Muhlfriedel
The Tai Chi Foundation’s 50th Anniversary summer retreat season began in June at the beautiful Smith College campus in historic Northampton, Massachusetts, and I was delighted to be a part of it. There were 85 of us with all levels of experience gathering for a week of calming and enriching tai chi, qigong, and meditation sessions, along with special evening programs. The retreat was entitled “Nurture and Grow with Tai Chi,” which perfectly captured its essence for me.
As my tai chi practice deepened during the retreat, I met many people in person whom I had previously only known virtually through Zoom. I made new friends and, for the first time in a while, didn’t even think about opening my laptop for days! Although I attended a TCF retreat in Cheltenham, England, in 2023, this was my first US TCF Retreat. While it had its own distinct characteristics, I was pleased to recognize an underlying continuity in the teaching and opportunities for participation across the programming.
Hosted by Blue Ridge Tai Chi of Virginia, the retreat took place from June 7 to 13,
with the first two days dedicated to meetings and training sessions for senior teachers and apprentices. We students arrived on the afternoon of June 8, and I spent a couple of hours exploring Northampton, with its charming stores and cafes, before checking in and settling into my dorm room, distant memories of my college years flooding back.
I loved my view of the park-like campus, stately buildings, and the more modern student center named for celebrated alumna Julia Child. After dinner, everyone attended an orientation session, giving us a sense of what was ahead. I was excited, but still on West Coast time, the thought of getting up for optional morning rounds at 6:45 am was initially a little daunting. As the week progressed, though, I grew to appreciate the opportunity to open and close each day, practicing with the larger community.
Although last year’s East Coast retreat took place at the Hotchkiss School, many participants had previously attended TCF programs at Smith College. They were able to help us newcomers navigate our way along scenic walks to various class locations. The pleasant weather, with occasional drizzles, kept the atmosphere comfortable throughout.
After our early form rounds and breakfast, we came together each day for a helpful class on tai chi principles, taught by various senior teachers who underscored key tenets of our practice. Next, everyone attended their respective form or push hands classes. I was enrolled in an Intermediate Form taught by Sherry Kent, Anna Teeples, and Fran Snyder. I loved the incredible knowledge and intuitive support they provided. Each of the 10 hours I spent with them and my classmates opened new layers of understanding and refinement of the form. It was an extraordinary time of abstract concepts becoming tangible.
Morning classes were followed by seated relaxation and meditation or advanced push hands sessions. Afternoons were filled with more form work, push hands, qigong, and sword form. In the late afternoons, participants could experience Hawaiian swimming classes or take a break. I knew I would need some time to myself, so I passed on the swimming, but I hope to try it one of these years! Instead, during my free time, I visited Smith’s lovely art museum, botanical garden, and greenhouse, which offered pleasant diversions throughout the week.
After dinner, evening programs led by senior teachers invited us to discover different aspects of tai chi and the Tai Chi Foundation. On Monday, Margaret Olmsted and others led a 50th anniversary exploration of what makes TCF the unique school it is. On Tuesday, Bob Etherington and his skeleton co-host guided us through a session on anatomy. Tina Curran and Hal Caswell conducted a poetry workshop on Wednesday, during which we all experimented with writing a few lines; then, those of us brave enough to read our poems aloud did so. On Thursday evening, Michael Braudy hosted “Sound and Health – A Meditative Experience.” We all enjoyed his beautiful violin playing as we vocalized the Indian ragas he taught us. Additional rounds of the tai chi form followed each evening’s program.
Alongside the Tai Chi Foundation retreat, a large group of musicians was on the Smith campus for Django in June, an annual music event where artists from around the world gather for Gypsy Jazz workshops, concerts, and jam sessions. Our two groups dined together, and on a couple of nights, tai chi retreat participants were able to enjoy the spirited live performances.
Friday marked our last evening together, and before our farewell party, we gathered in a large circle for a Treasure Chest — an opportunity for anyone who wanted to contribute the gifts they experienced during the week. It was heartwarming to hear everyone, from tai chi first-timers to senior teachers, express the many positive ways the week had impacted them. At my turn, I stumbled over my words, trying to succinctly sum up how much the retreat experience meant to me. I am shy by nature, and feeling welcomed into the TCF community and growing my tai chi meant a great deal to me. Gratitude for all the teaching, organizing, and inspiration that went into the retreat filled the room with exceptionally good vibes, leading to toasting one another, dancing, and plenty of laughter at the party.
Many thanks to everyone who organized this wonderful retreat and to all the teachers who taught form and push hands classes at Smith this summer.
Many thanks as well to everyone who attended the retreat and helped celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Tai Chi Foundation!
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Explore More Tai Chi with TCF
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, TCF offers Teachable on-demand classes, providing a flexible 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 in-person course offerings of TCF’s affiliated local schools.
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.
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!
Photos by Anna Teeples and Marina Muhlfriedel
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