Newsletter #77 - January 2008
-- From me to you, by Dr Lam
-- Win a scholarship to the June 2008 USA workshop
-- A letter of appreciation from scholarship winner, Beverley Walker
-- Teaching and promoting Tai Chi 4 Kidz at the FitFuture Kids Fest, by Sherry Jones
-- Physiotherapy and tai chi exercise, by Wilfred Kwok
-- Dolphins love tai chi too! by Tony Garcia
-- This tai chi stuff is very cool! by Martin Kidder
-- “Breathing underwater”: a review of Margaret Emerson’s book, by Shelia Rae
-- Why the chicken really did cross the road, by Dr Bob O’Brien
Click on the title above to read the articles, this link to read all previous newsletters and here to subscribe.
Happy New Year! On behalf of the entire newsletter team I would like to wish you a happy and most fulfilling 2008. We start this year with a celebration for the 10-year anniversary of our Sydney workshop. I am sure there is going to be much sharing of tai chi knowledge during the week. We will publish some of its talks, articles and photos in the newsletters over the next few months.
Congratulations to the 3 winners of scholarships to this year’s Sydney workshop: Beverley, one of the winners, tells us how she feels about winning.
Tai Chi for Health Community, a non-profit organisation aiming at sharing tai chi to improve health, is working with me to offer two full and two half-fee scholarships to the June 2008 Massachusetts, USA workshop. For more information about the scholarship, read the article in this newsletter.
Our new website is now up and running. We would love to receive your feedback. Write a review of the new website and for the next month we will pick the most helpful review for a prize, which is your selection of one of my instructional DVDs from the Health series. This special prize will run concurrently with our usual award of a free Tai Chi Music CD for the best review of our products and workshops.
My wife and I had a very enjoyable Christmas in Taiwan, with my older brother Burn and my sister-in-law. Burn is a great photographer. He experimented with his fish-eye lens, taking a couple of pictures of me doing tai chi at the Sun Moon Lake in Taiwan on Christmas Day. I would like to share them with you, as well as pictures of my Tai Chi for Osteoporosis workshop in Korea recently. 
I met Margaret Emerson in the Oregon 2006 workshop. Margaret is a wonderful tai chi practitioner with very special personal energy, and I’m so happy to read Sheila’s review of her book Breathing Underwater. I consider it a great privilege to be able to meet and work with so many wonderful tai chi practitioners like Margaret around the world. Thank you all for sharing your art and friendship.
Last month Dr Pam Kircher, Ralph Dehner and Rani Hughes shared with us their perspective of tai chi for health: this month, Wilfred Kwok shares his view as a physiotherapist and ergonomist.
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Find out how you can win a scholarship to the June 2008 USA workshop.
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Beverley Walker was one of the scholarship winners for this January’s Sydney workshop. Here’s her letter of thanks.
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Wilfred Kwok, a physiotherapist and ergonomist writes about the value of tai chi in physiotherapy.
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Sherry Jones tells us about how she recently taught and promoted Tai Chi 4 Kidz at the Fort Worth FitFuture Kids Fest.
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Tony Garcia has a fascinating story about how dolphins seem to love watching tai chi.
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Martin Kidder thinks tai chi is very cool! He believes, in a recent car accident, that applying basic tai chi principles helped him even more than his seatbelt and airbag.
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Shelia Rae reviews a book by Margaret Emerson called Breathing underwater, in which she explains how the study of tai chi can enrich all aspects of life.
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Dr Bob O’Brien, in his regular dose of healthy humor, tells us why the chicken really crossed the road.
With the Christmas frenzy behind us, let's look to more leisurely times ahead. Whether taking off to the beach, or sitting by a roaring fire, January is a time for self-reflection and self-renewal through reading and contemplation.
Keeping your place becomes meaningful when you use one of our Tai Chi for Health bookmarks. Free with any book order this month, we will include this sturdy and a handsome book mark with each book to save your place and keep you focused.
Congratulations to Dahlis Roy from Stevensville, MI, for her review of the 42 Sword Form DVD:
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February 16-17 2008, Perth, Australia
Tai Chi for Arthritis Instructors' training -
March 8-9, Sydney, Australia
Tai Chi @ Work Instructors training workshop -
April 4-5, Melbourne, Australia
Tai Chi 4 Kidz Instructors training workshop -
April 19-20th, Sydney, Australia
- Tai Chi for Arthritis Instructors training workshop
- Tai Chi for Arthritis Update and Part II workshop
- Tai Chi for Diabetes Instructors training workshop
- Tai Chi for Diabetes Update and Enhancement workshop -
May 16-17, Adelaide, Australia
Tai Chi 4 Kidz Instructors training workshop -
May 24-25, Singapore
Tai Chi for Arthritis Instructors training workshop -
May 26-27, Singapore
Tai Chi for Osteoporosis Instructors training workshop -
May 30-31, Zurich, Switzerland
Tai Chi for Arthritis Instructors training workshop -
June 7-8, Bologna, Italy
Tai Chi for Arthritis Instructors training workshop -
June 14-15, Mount Holyoke College, Massachusetts, USA
Pre-conference: Tai Chi @ Work Instructors training workshop -
June 16-21, Mount Holyoke College, Massachusetts, USA
One week Tai Chi Workshop with Ten Courses
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August 2-3, Sydney, Australia
Exploring the Depth of Tai Chi for Arthritis workshop -
August 21-22, Sydney, Australia
Therapeutic Tai Chi for physiotherapists and occupational therapists -
Sept 13-14, Sydney, Australia
- Tai Chi for Arthritis Instructors training workshop
- Tai Chi for Osteoporosis Instructors training workshop
Paul Lam, M.D.
Scholarships for the June 2008 USA Workshop
Application deadline extended to February 1, 2008
Scholarships to the 2008 USA Tai Chi Workshop are being sponsored by the Tai Chi for Health Community (TCHC), Dr. Paul Lam, and a generous member donor. Two full and two half scholarships are offered.
The deadline for scholarship applications is February 1, 2008. We know that the holidays are a busy time and we want to give you every opportunity to apply for one of the scholarships that are offered for the first time this year. Awards will be announced by March 1, 2008.
The scholarship committee made up of five members of TCHC will consider the following criteria for the awards:
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your seriousness of purpose to develop tai chi for health knowledge
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your intent and defined goals to help people in the community with your tai chi for health knowledge through teaching or other means
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your past history of community service involvement
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financial need.
Applicants must be a TCHC member in good standing upon submitting the application.
A letter of thanks to Dr Lam from scholarship winner, Beverley Walker
Beverley Walker from Young, New South Wales, was one of 3 winners of a scholarship to this year’s annual workshop in Sydney, Australia.
Dear Paul
With heartfelt appreciation I would like to thank you for making the scholarships possible, and the panel for their confidence and encouraging support in awarding me a scholarship. I was amazed and had to read the letter twice before realising I had won. I am intensely aware of the quality and expertise the other applicants would have, and both humbled and strengthened by the recognition shown to me. As I attend the workshop I will endeavour to improve my tai chi to a higher level of knowledge and physical fitness. This will enable me to continue to promote and share Tai Chi for Health with the wonderful ladies I have the pleasure of teaching in Young.
Sincerely
Beverley Walker
Teaching and promoting Tai Chi 4 Kidz at the FitFuture Kids Fest, by Sherry Jones
Imagine being told tai chi was not appropriate for kids. This was what Mary Schimmoller at the Tarrant County Health Department was told when she inquired about having tai chi for kids at a FitFuture Kids Fest she was planning in Fort Worth. Luckily, she did not accept this and looked it up on the internet. She told me when she saw Dr Lam's DVD, Tai Chi 4 Kidz, she knew this tai chi program was appropriate for kids.
Next she sought to find who could bring Tai Chi 4 Kids to her FitFuture Kids Fest. This festival has all interactive activities, from learning to fix healthy snacks to all different forms of exercise. She came in contact with Shelia Rae, who then gave her my email address. I had taught Tai Chi 4 Kidz one summer when some of my students brought their grandchildren to class with them. I was very excited about demonstrating Dr Paul Lam's Tai Chi 4 Kidz program at her festival. When I found out that those who did demonstrations could have a booth at a greatly reduced price, I jumped at the chance to inform everyone at the fest about Tai Chi 4 Kidz and Tai Chi for Health.
So, now I needed to make an informative and eye catching booth. I took information from the DVD and articles from Dr Lam's website to come up with a Tai Chi 4 Kidz information sheet and had some big posters made of the Tai Chi 4 Kidz logo. My good friend and fellow Tai Chi for Health instructor, Lynn Young, made a Tai Chi for Health brochure for the booth. In order to have some sort of measure of interest, I decided to have a drawing for free Tai Chi 4 Kidz shirts and DVDs. In order to be in the drawing, people had to fill out an information sheet indicating if they wanted Tai Chi 4 Kidz or Health in their school, local YMCA, recreation center, etc, and a means of contacting someone. I asked on the form if anyone wanted to become an instructor as well. Of the 58 forms that were filled out, 44 were interested in classes and 6 were interested in becoming instructors. There were about 3,000 people attending this event. There was never a time during the festival that we were not busy at the both answering questions and giving out information, plus during the demonstration, the booth was swarming with people wanting to know more. There were many more who did not fill out the form, but took our information, brochures, and cards.
Now I am enlisting the Tai Chi for Health instructors in this area to make the contacts in their geographical area for those interested in classes and demonstrations for both Tai Chi for Heath and Tai Chi 4 Kidz. We are hoping that once we get classes started, there will be even more interest, which will then require us to have more instructors. It is my dream to have an instructor in tai chi in every school or community, so that our community can begin to see the positive effects that tai chi can have on them and their children's health and their children's performance in school. I know that with the help of my Tai Chi for Health instructor family and Dr Lam, in time this dream can come true. I have already been asked to do a demonstration and have a booth at next year’s FitFuture Kids Fest.
sherryljones@sbcglobal.net
Physiotherapy and tai chi exercise, by Wilfred Kwok
Wilfred Kwok is a Master Trainer with the Chronic Disease Self Management Program, Stanford University, USA and of Dr Paul Lam’s Tai Chi for Health programs. Wilfred works as a physiotherapist/ergonomist in Hong Kong and Melbourne Australia. 
Physiotherapy is the art and science of rehabilitation, preventing injuries and disabilities, restoring independence and promoting a maximal level of function to individuals with physical and psychological disorders.
Physiotherapists use physical techniques such as exercise, training, movement rehabilitation, mobilisation, manipulation, and the application of electrophysical agents.
Amongst all treatment modalities we use, we concentrate particularly on exercise therapy in promoting overall health and well being and in preventing and managing the public health problems that are currently facing society.
Tai chi chuan is an ancient Chinese martial art, an exercise that requires control for gentle movements that are practiced in a relaxed and slow tempo, Some styles are more energetic and involve kicks and deep knee-bends.
Now tai chi (chuan) is practiced around the world as an effective exercise for health, and Dr Paul Lam, from Australia, has developed the Tai Chi for Arthritis program using the Sun Style, which has slight knee bends and more health benefits.
From the physiotherapy, anatomy and physiological perspective, tai chi exercise fits into all the basic rules for good exercise practice including:
Improving cardio-vascular function
During the practice of tai chi exercise, since it is of a moderate intensity, 4-6 METS, it will work up the heart and lung function in a safe and gradual manner; there shouldn’t be any shortness of breath during the exercise.
Improving balance and stability
When the knees are in slight flexion (bent), it strengthens the quadriceps muscle, which is important for balance and walking. Thus with tai chi exercise practice, these thigh muscles are strengthened, which helps in falls prevention.
During tai chi exercise, all the body muscles are activated at the same time, promoting coordination for arms and legs, also back movements. The left and right arms have to be coordinated, then the arm and leg movements and finally the back is involved in rotational movement, which again is in a slow and controlled manner.
Improving flexibility
In doing tai chi exercise, most movements are done within the “mid-range” of joint movement, which will help to prevent over-stretching of soft tissue in body joints. Thus in doing the exercise, it will increase joint stability and functionality of arms and legs mobility.
Improving posture
One of the essential principles of tai chi exercise is good body posture: good posture is always required to enhance arms and legs movements. It is also important for Qi energy to flow in the body. Thus is doing the exercise, it will help to improve body posture in back and limbs.
Enhancing relaxation
Due to the demand in all tai chi movements for coordination or control, such as of the left and right arms and legs; arms with legs; eyes with hands; good posture of the back, it required lots of concentration and leaves no room for thoughts or worries for that moment. Thus it helps to momentarily override anxiety and panic attacks, further enhancing a relaxation phase while practicing tai chi.
I believe tai chi exercise will become a fresh perspective on Movement for Life, which will also enhance self efficacy too. Just imagine that you have learnt and know how to practice the whole set of Tai Chi for Arthritis: it involves 12 movements, it is all in coordinated sequences, well designed movements, well controlled movement of arms, legs and with good back posture. You will be proud and happy of your own achievements. This will also boost your own self confidence.
Let’s keep practicing this good Movement for Life and also share it with others.
Dear Dr Lam
I have a short true story about some friends I want to share with you.
I was told this last week. Two people that I know were doing their tai chi set in two different locations on two different days. One was doing Tai Chi for Arthritis and the other the 24 forms. Both of them were performing the movements overlooking the ocean. While they were moving, a group of dolphins approached, swam around and remained still while observing and slowly moved their heads up and down almost mimicking them. This same thing happened to the both people at different locations. These stories were told to me by these two people in the same day. They do not know each other.
The dolphins now seem to come around on the days they perform, then they swim away. They do not know how long the dolphins will keep coming. It is beautiful and amazing to see how tai chi crosses all boundaries, not only on land but in our oceans.
Thanks for continuously sharing this art with us.
With my deepest respect
Tony
Dear Dr Lam
Last evening I was hit from behind going to my tai chi class. The seatbelt and airbag helped but I truly believe tai chi help me even more. I saw the car coming at me: I was stopped at a traffic light. I had time to say 'Oh shit' and then to say to myself 'relax, soften, yield and redirect', just as I was hit. I walked away; I am sore, I will be very stiff and sore this weekend, but I'm alive and I am not in the hospital.
Note to self: this tai chi stuff is very cool!
As I was relaying this story to a tai chi friend he remarked about the thought process I had before the impact and where it came from. I had to think about it a while and then it became very clear to me. In almost every class I teach, especially when there are seniors, I talk about relax, yield and redirect. When I talk about falling I mention to them to try and relax and not to brace for the fall. An unyielding object (bones) will break. My mind took over when that car was heading down on me…
Note to self: reinforce the principles - soften, yield and redirect.
And now I have another happy ending story to tell about this wonderful gift given to me only 7 years ago...and why I have to share it. This tai chi stuff is very, very cool!
Wishing you peace and wellness,
Marty
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“Breathing underwater”: a review of Margaret Emerson’s book, by Shelia Rae 
This month’s book review highlights author, Margaret Emerson, who has been practicing tai chi, qigong and meditation for twenty-eight years. She has been teaching for eighteen years, and is certified in Dr Lam’s Tai Chi for Health programs. She lives in Arcata, California where she also writes and paints.
Her most recent book is Eyes of the mirror, a memoir covering five years of grueling transition into a second adulthood. Her other books, which are on tai chi include A potter’s notes on t’ai chi ch’uan and Breathing underwater: the inner life of t’ai chi ch’uan.
A small quote from A potter’s notes gives insight into her writing style: “Creative energy is the will of the spirit to be expressed.”
Breathing underwater: the inner life of t’ai chi ch’uan is a timeless book with appeal to anyone interested in learning tai chi and to everyone who practices tai chi regularly. It is deeply thought provoking and insightful; not a how to learn, teach or do tai chi, but how the practice of tai chi can open the door to unlimited possibilities. How the study of tai chi can enrich all aspects of life is revealed chapter after chapter, providing a course of study or strategy for balance and harmony.
Ms Emerson takes you deeper into the theory of yin and yang, relating the two halves of the symbol to the conscious and subconscious self. She provides insight of how to harmonize these two aspects of yourself with nature to uncover your authentic self.
This book is so well-written, so enlightening you must read it for yourself to understand the true essence and meaningfulness of your own practice and life.
Contact Margaret to obtain your own copy of Breathing underwater either by emailing her at memerson@humboldt1.com or from her website is www.margaretemerson.comand watch for her latest work, not yet completed, a series of essays. She is also a contributor to the book Martial Arts Teachers on Teaching, Black Belt magazine and Aikido Today; also many of her articles have been published in Tai Chi magazine and Qi journal.
We are definitely proud of and endorse this Tai Chi for Health instructor! Please send us other articles about outstanding instructors to share in the newsletters.
Humor, laughter and radiant health, by Dr Bob McBrien 
Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?
We don't really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road, or not. The chicken is either against us, or for us. There is no middle ground here.
Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road.
Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it!
Did the chicken cross the road?
Did he cross it with a toad?
Yes, the chicken crossed the road,
but why it crossed I've not been told.
Ernest Hemingway
To die in the rain. Alone.
Captain Kirk
To boldly go where no chicken has ever gone before.
Dr Phil
The fact that you are at all concerned that the chicken crossed the road reveals your underlying insecurity.
Albert Einstein
Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move underneath the chicken?
Did I miss one?
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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.
