Newsletter #51 - November 2005
In this issue:
-- From Me to You by Dr Lam
-- Depth of Tai Chi for Arthritis Training by Caroline Demoise
-- Sales Training for Tai Chi Instructors by Pat Lawson
-- Do You Have Metabolic Syndrome? By Your_Health
Click on the title to read the article, and here to read all previous newsletters
I have just finished my workshop world tour. The most important thing I've learned is that the more I share my knowledge the more I enrich my own tai chi skill. The essential principles of tai chi are the key elements to progress and gain health benefits as opposed to how many forms one knows or how complicated they are. We have proven this in the Exploring the Depth of Tai Chi for Arthritis workshops. All instructors and participants improved significantly by studying the simple set of Tai Chi for Arthritis. Mr Sun Lu-Tang, the creator of Sun style tai chi, said that the highest level of tai chi is the Dao. The Dao is nature. Nature is simple yet it's deep.
I would like to thank all the participants who came to the workshops. Many of you have travelled from another country or another state. It was wonderful working with you; I appreciate the new friendships, love, and catching up with old friends. I especially want to thank the local coordinators who have made these workshops possible as well as the master and senior trainer colleagues who have helped me make these workshops so successful.
- Caroline's article about the Depth workshops describe them well.
- Pat Lawson, one of our master trainers, is small in stature and incredibly nice. Looking at her, one can't imagine she has been training at a martial art and tai chi for 40 years. She is so modest, not only she doesn't show off her martial skill but it took me years of knowing her to find out that she has a master degree in education. Pat decided to join Mary Kay, the multi-billion dollar cosmetic company, as a consultant. At the workshop, she was giving us a talk about the basic principles of Mary Kay. Pat dressed up with fancy jewellery and makeup just like one would expect of a cosmetic consultant. As she was talking, Dan, another master trainer, who is huge compared to Pat, came out pretending to attack her. Pat demonstrated her skill using tai chi principles to throw Dan around, flattening him on the floor. Quite a sight to see! The article of Pat's talk at the Florida workshop would more effective when you read it with the imagery of Dan attacking Pat in your mind.
- Do you have metabolic syndrome? "Your_Health," our regular Australian medical newsletter has simple and useful advice.
This month's feature package is the newly completed 32 Sword DVD (USD$39.95), together with the 24 Forms DVD (USD$29.95). For this month if you buy the two DVDs (USD$69.90) together you get a free DVD or video of your choice. Be sure to specify which one and whether it is DVD or video at the 'comment' section. Click this link to place your order.
Classes at the January Tai Chi workshop in Sydney are filling up fast, please send in your registration as soon as possible. You can find out more details at this link.
Next year the one week Tai Chi workshop in USA will be held at the beautiful St Mary's College, Terre Hawte, Indiana on the 5-10th June 2006. I shall post more information online later.
Yours sincerely,
Paul Lam, MD
http://www.taichiproductions.com
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Depth of Tai Chi for Arthritis Training
By Caroline Demoise
In October, 2005, Dr. Paul Lam began his new depth of TCA series in the United States with weekend workshops in Bradenton, Florida and Durango, Colorado. Dr. Lam was joined by some of his teachers in the US to assist with small group practice sessions. Seventy delighted workshop participants from around the country received both theory and supervised practice in this inspiring new workshop that focuses on creating depth in the short Sun Style form called Tai Chi for Arthritis.
Many of the workshop participants are teaching Tai Chi for Arthritis classes in their local communities and came for personal enrichment and growth as a teacher. Local students from the Bradenton and Durango area came to study with the creator of the Tai Chi for Arthritis form and enrich their practice. Everyone left with an expanded understanding of the underlying Tai Chi principles and new ways to apply them to their forms.
One of the best ways to evaluate a workshop is to listen to what people who attended the training say about their experience. Here are some comments from participants:
" I feel that I have made a big shift in my understanding of the movement of the energy in the form as a result of our in depth week-end study 
." Dee Hammons, Tennessee
"The theory directs the practice and the practice proves the theory true." Barbara Addison, Florida
When asked what she liked best, Katherine Vaccaro, from the Florida Keys said: "Balance between lecture and practical. Inspiration of meeting other wonderful practitioners.
A local Bradenton student, Vivian Dauber commented: "Thanks for a transforming experience. I especially liked the pulling together of the three principles - control of movement, focus on internal strengthening and the articulation and practice of body alignment and weight transferring." 
Chris Furer, a Tai Chi practitioner in Durango shared: "Dr. Lam brings a library of knowledge that he shares with all levels of students. He also has a great sense of how much depth to give his audience, thus adding to our knowledge without overwhelming us."
Dr. Lam's presentation is clear and precise and he is very open to questions. I especially like breaking into smaller groups to work on specifics. Lynnis Steinert, Durango, Colorado
People who came to Florida had an opportunity to linger after the workshop and enjoy the beautiful warm weather and sunny beaches. In Durango, some of the participants took part in a guided tour of the Chimney Rock area.
Those of us fortunate enough to be able to come and assist with group practice sessions were enriched as well by Dr. Lam's expertise, the camaraderie and sharing with each other and with workshop participants and were fortunate to have another transformational experience. 
I invite all of you who know all of the Tai Chi for Arthritis movements to join us at future workshops in 2006 to grow in your depth of Tai Chi principles through the short Sun Style set.
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Sales Training for Tai Chi Instructors
By Patricia Lawson, M.T., USA
As some of you are aware, I am an Independent Sales Consultant for the #1 Skin Care and color cosmetics company in the USA: Mary Kay. Mary Kay Inc. spends millions of dollars training and motivating the sales force each year. The company does not pay for advertising (as of this date) but relies on word-of-mouth and the Independent Sales Consultants for growing the business. Since tai chi teachers generally can not pay for much advertising either, I thought it might be helpful if I shared what I have learned as a result of this corporate investment in top sales training. It might help those of us starting or expanding classes.
Here are some nuggets direct from our sales training materials:
1. Make sure you have a good foundation. If your foundation isn't right, nothing else will look good either. (Hmmm…sounds familiar?)
2. Never let them see you sweat. If you don't know the answer, tell them you will find out and get back to them.
3. Think about your client and what they need. Remember, it's about them, it's not about you.
4. Mary Kay once said, "You can do everything right but have the wrong attitude and you will fail. You can mistakes and have the right attitude and you will succeed." Attitude is everything! Besides, no one improves without making mistakes.
5. Don't try to cover everything in one class! It will just confuse your clients. (Now, where have we heard that before?!) People learn better in small pieces.
6. One last thing, perhaps the most important to remember, a direct quote from Mary Kay: "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care".
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Do You Have Metabolic Syndrome?
By Your_Health - an Australian medical newsletter
Up to 1 in 4 adult Australians has 'metabolic syndrome' and is at greatly increased risk of heart attack, stroke and diabetes. This serious condition is spreading at an alarming rate. 
An international panel recently updated the definition of metabolic syndrome. The main feature is a large belly or 'apple shape' body - a waist measurement of 94 cm or more for men and 80 cm or more for women of European origin (for Asians/Chinese men 90 cm and women 80 cm). Measure your waist with a tape measure to see if you are at-risk.
Fat around the tummy is more harmful than in other places. It produces chemicals that harden the arteries and disturb blood glucose and fat levels.
To have metabolic syndrome, you also need 2 or more of the following:
o High blood pressure.
o Raised triglycerides (a blood fat).
o Reduced HDL (good) cholesterol.
o Raised blood glucose or diabetes.
Metabolic syndrome can be reversed by weight reduction and exercise.
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END OF NEWSLETTER
Warning: Dr. Lam does not necessarily endorse the opinion of other authors. Before practicing any program featured in this newsletter, please check with your physician or therapist. The authors and anyone involved in the production of this newsletter will not be held responsible in any way whatsoever for any injury which may arise as a result of following the instructions given in this newsletter.
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