Tai Chi Teacher Training: A New Adventure Begins

He who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones. — Confucius (c. 500 BCE)

For the past seven years, I’ve been quietly following the graceful rhythm of Tai Chi for Balance. What started as a curiosity has become a constant companion. It has helped me breathe deeper and move easier. It keeps me grounded through life’s changes. And I’ve had several in the last month.

Last week, I opened my email and grinned like a kid at Christmas. I’ve been accepted into the Tai Chi Teacher Training Program!

Excited? Absolutely. Nervous? You bet. But at my age, it feels pretty good to be learning new tricks. It feels even better to know I’ll soon be able to share them.

A Bolt from the Blue

The decision came to me like lightning on a clear day.

At Lilies War, there’s always someone teaching belly dancing—every single year. It’s beautiful, fun, and full of energy. But one day it hit me: no one teaches Qigong. Not once. And Qigong is at least as old as those ancient dances!

So I asked around on the Calontir Facebook group, hoping someone might step forward. Crickets. That’s when I realized—if no one else was going to bring Qigong to Lilies, maybe it was time I did.

And that’s how this adventure began.

What the Training Teaches

This program isn’t just about memorizing movements. It’s about learning how to share something meaningful:

• Tai Chi Fundamentals — the philosophy, principles, and gentle power behind each move
• Teaching Skills — how to adapt routines for all ages, health levels, and comfort zones
• Health Benefits — guiding others toward better balance, focus, and peace of mind

In other words, it’s about helping people feel stronger, calmer, and more centered—one mindful breath at a time.

Butterflies and Balance

I’ll admit, I have a few butterflies. My shoulder still complains most days, and public speaking has never been my favorite thing. But everytime I picture a group of SCAdians learning to move with calm and intention my nerves turn into excitement. Besides, it’s never too late to stretch a little further, literally and figuratively.

An Itinerant Scribe’s New Path

Over the next few months, I’ll be diving deeper into Tai Chi and Qigong philosophy. I will be learning safe teaching techniques. I will also be crafting routines that fit both newcomers and reenactors. My notebook is already filling up with ideas. These include names for classes, bits of history, and ways to blend mindfulness with the SCA’s love of learning.

For years, The Itinerant Scribe has chronicled my journey through art, history, tours and creativity. Now it’s guiding me into something else new—a way to connect movement, mindfulness, and medieval curiosity.

Turns out, you can teach an old dog new tricks.
And sometimes, those tricks lead straight to balance, laughter, and a brand-new adventure.