What "promotion" means...this Saturday

At Body Balance Academy, we have promotion ceremonies about every other month.  The next one is Saturday September 10 at 10:00am.  You may have noticed that this ceremony coincides with our curriculum: we spend about two months teaching/learning each section of the Yang Style Tai Chi form.

The promotion ceremony is an opportunity:

• for students to demonstrate their knowledge of Tai Chi principles as expressed in the Yang Long Form,
• for the instructors to see all students at one time, performing the section that they just learned,
• to celebrate the growing community of Tai Chi practitioners,
• to meet other members of our community (e.g., those who come to class on T/Th night if you attend M/W morning classes)
• to enjoy the inspiring music of Bill Douglass and friends,
• ________ (your favorite reason here).

Through out the years that BBA has held these ceremonies, I've heard some students say that even the word "promotion" doesn't appeal to their sense of what Tai Chi means to them.  Some are not interested in performing "in public".  Or they perceive the promotion as a "test" of their ability.  Some have asked, "What are you writing about us on that piece of paper?"

Shih Fu Eileen has said over and over that the promotions are NOT a test.  She, and the other instructors, works with students in classes to make sure that they grasp the fundamentals and principles of each section of the Tai Chi form.  Students are invited to the promotion to celebrate what they've learned and accomplished through diligence and hard work.  Everyone who comes to a promotion has already demonstrated their mastery of the section.  We welcome students to come together with the entire school to practice together, enjoy music and drink tea.

This Saturday, a group of Lotus Scholars will present a special musical performance that sets the poetry of the Tao Te Jing to South Asian dance steps. Conceived by Bill Douglass and Anya Devi, this performance includes readings by Anya, Matthias Schossig and Catherine Stifter.  Anya will dance to the tabla percussion of Joe Fagen.

Come for music, come for practice, come for a celebration of knowledge, but don't miss Tai Chi with Tea this Saturday, September 10th at 10:00am.