Newsletter #125 - January 2012
- From me to you, Paul Lam
- Apply Tai Chi Principles. An Extract from Teaching Tai Chi Effectively, Dr Paul Lam
- Evaluation Results from TCA Workshops in Dareton & Dubbo, NSW, Australia, NSW Population Health Services
- Structure of a 2-Day TCH Instructors’ Training Workshop, Fiona Black and Dr Paul Lam
- Harmonizing with Life, Caroline Demoise
- Why Tai Chi for Health, Ellen Reistma
- Feature Profile – Jenny Sheldon, Joyce Boon
- Humour, Laughter and Radiant Health, Bob McBrien
- Apply Tai Chi Principles. An Extract from Teaching Tai Chi Effectively, Dr Paul Lam
- Evaluation Results from TCA Workshops in Dareton & Dubbo, NSW, Australia, NSW Population Health Services
- Structure of a 2-Day TCH Instructors’ Training Workshop, Fiona Black and Dr Paul Lam
- Harmonizing with Life, Caroline Demoise
- Why Tai Chi for Health, Ellen Reistma
- Feature Profile – Jenny Sheldon, Joyce Boon
- Humour, Laughter and Radiant Health, Bob McBrien
Click on the title above to read the articles, this link to read all previous newsletters and here to subscribe.
On behalf of the Tai Chi for Health Institute I would like to wish you all a healthy and fulfilling 2012. It is our
responsibility to maintain good health as no government can take care of everyone’s health adequately. The Tai Chi for Health programs make taking care of our health an enjoyable experience, doing something for pleasure rather than a task. I hope you have had the opportunity to try one or more of our Tai Chi for Health programs and discovered the enjoyment and many health benefits they provide.
responsibility to maintain good health as no government can take care of everyone’s health adequately. The Tai Chi for Health programs make taking care of our health an enjoyable experience, doing something for pleasure rather than a task. I hope you have had the opportunity to try one or more of our Tai Chi for Health programs and discovered the enjoyment and many health benefits they provide. As the number of training instructors in our Tai Chi for Health programs increased over the years, I began devoting more time and energy working on the depth of tai chi. Understanding the depth of tai chi not only improves the level of tai chi, it delivers more health benefits while making it enjoyable at the same time. Thus began a series of “Exploring the Depth of TCA” workshops nearly 10 years ago. Since then I have conducted many of these workshops all over the world working with thousands of participants. It is most satisfying to see participants’ enthusiasm and enjoyment. Here is Maree Lamb’s experience; she has attended several of these workshops.
In the “Exploring the Depth of TCA” workshops I work closely with participants on deepening the understanding of the inner meaning of tai chi principles. When these principles are applied to tai chi practice it has the near magical effect of health improvement. I incorporate these principles into the participants’ forms. I share the breathing techniques and demonstrate how it is related to the circulation of qi (life energy) and how the energy flows, strengthens and expresses as a force. We work to fuse the theories through movements and to feel how it works in the body. You will feel the breathing and qi circulation techniques regenerate more qi and internal force.
I am planning to post a series of YouTube videos to explain the above points. Starting with the importance of tai chi principles and how to incorporate these principles in your body. These videos were recorded during some of my recent workshops. Watch out for them in the February or March issue of the newsletter.
We have often been asked how can an instructor be trained in two days. In this newsletterm Master Trainer Fiona Black and I will explain. This also ties in with how “Exploring the Depth of TCA” workshops are programmed. One of the greatest tai chi masters ever was the creator of Sun style tai chi, Master Sun Lu Tang, who learned tai chi after he turned 50 and only for three months. The legend tells us age and time is no barrier to how high you can go in tai chi. It is not the total length of time but how much you actually learn that matters. We in the Tai Chi for Health Institute have an established and proven system to ensure certified instructors acquire the skill to teach safely and effectively.
Black and I will explain. This also ties in with how “Exploring the Depth of TCA” workshops are programmed. One of the greatest tai chi masters ever was the creator of Sun style tai chi, Master Sun Lu Tang, who learned tai chi after he turned 50 and only for three months. The legend tells us age and time is no barrier to how high you can go in tai chi. It is not the total length of time but how much you actually learn that matters. We in the Tai Chi for Health Institute have an established and proven system to ensure certified instructors acquire the skill to teach safely and effectively. The former Greater Western Area Health Service in NSW staged a two day workshop in two locations, Dubbo and Dareton. Click on the locations for a summary of the success of these training workshops. They won our innovative award with a study collaborating with the Australian National University showing how a health service can facilitate this program to thousands of people successfully making a difference to the many lives at the cost of only $76 per person per year – roughly the cost of one medical consultation. By improving one’s health it can potentially save thousands of health dollars.
In this newsletter you can also read and watch the video about Ellen Reitsma’s, a physical therapist and Master Trainer from Switzerland, perspective both as a health and tai chi professional on the effects of the Tai Chi for Health program. She presented this talk at the June 2011 workshop in Terre Haute, IN, USA.
We were fortunate enough to be at the Opera House right in front of this year's fireworks. I would like to share the experience with you. Enjoy!
Best wishes for the New Year and I hope to see you soon.
In this Newsletter:
-
Apply tai chi principles, an extract from “Teaching Tai Chi Effectively”.
-
The NSW Population Health Services published a detail summary of evaluation results on two 2-day workshops held in June and July, 2011 in the far west NSW region of Dareton and Dubbo.
-
Fiona Black and Dr Paul Lam explain how instructors can be adequately trained in a 2-day TCH workshop to teach the TCH program safely and effectively.
-
Caroline Demoise describes tai chi’s remarkable ability to teach you how to harmonize with life.
-
Ellen Reistma’s goal is to teach qualified people to be safe and effective instructors of the Tai Chi for Health program.
This Month's Special:
-
Tai Chi for Arthritis DVD (2 Disc Set)
-
Tai Chi for Arthritis Part 2 DVD
Purchase the Tai Chi for Arthritis and Tai Chi for Arthritis Part 2 DVDs and receive $15.00 off. Please quote Coupon Code 0112JAN.
Click here for more information or to place your order.
Upcoming Workshops: by Dr Paul Lam
January 09 - January 14, Sydney, NSW, Australia
One Week Tai Chi Workshop
One Week Tai Chi Workshop
March 10 - March 11, Zhuhai, China
Tai Chi for Arthritis Instructor Training
April 28 - 29, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Tai Chi for Osteoporosis Instructor Training
April 28 - 29, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Tai Chi for Arthritis Instructor Training
April 28 - 29, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Tai Chi for Diabetes Instructor Training
April 28 - 29, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Tai Chi for Arthritis Multiple Updates
May 22 - 23, Petra Kauniainen, Finland
Tai Chi for Osteoporosis Instructor Training
May 26 - 27, Stockholm, Sweden
Exploring the Depth of Tai Chi for Arthritis
June 09 - June 10, Memphis, TN, United States
Tai Chi for Energy Instructor Training
June 11 - June 17, Memphis, TN, United States
One Week Tai Chi Workshop
Many other workshops conducted by my authorised master trainers are listed in Workshop Calendar.
Yours in Tai Chi,
Paul Lam, MD
Apply Tai Chi Principles. An Extract from “Teaching Tai Chi Effectively”
Dr Paul Lam, Director, TCH Programs, Narwee, NSW, Australia
Tai chi was created based on the ancient philosophical understanding of nature. Sun Lu-tang (1861–1932), one of
the greatest tai chi masters in history and creator of the Sun-style, said that the highest level of tai chi is understanding the Dao. The Dao, often referred to as the way of nature, is based on the ancient Chinese philosophical understanding of the universe. In nature, there is both yin and yang, with motion and stillness complementing each other, e.g., calm and stormy weather. The ultimate goal of tai chi is to achieve harmony with nature.
The essential principles of tai chi evolved to harmonise, or balance, the yin and the yang. These principles can be applied not only to improving your tai chi, but also your tai chi teaching. For example, one essential principle says tai chi movements should be well controlled, so the movements are slow, smooth and continuous. Thus, tai chi has a rhythm that is not rushed and flows smoothly. Applying this principle to teaching means that you should not rush your participants, nor shower them with too much information or explain too many techniques before they are ready. Instead, take time to teach everything smoothly and carefully, while maintaining the flow.
Throughout this book, I will continually discuss how, and where, you can apply the essential tai chi principles in both your practice and teaching. In Chapter 8: Follow through with tai chi principles; I will specifically define each of these essential principles.
For more information or to purchase the book "Teaching Tai Chi Effectively", please click here.
Evaluation Results from Tai Chi for Arthritis Workshops in Dareton and Dubbo, NSW, Australia
NSW Population Health Services (the former NSW Greater Western Area Health Services)
NSW Population Health Services (the former NSW Greater Western Area Health Services)
7th and 8th June 2011 at Dareton, NSW, with Master Trainer Libby Godden
Sixteen health service staff and Local Health District (LHD) volunteers attended the two-day training. All were accredited as Tai Chi for Arthritis (TCA) leaders and are now able to teach the first set of Tai Chi moves. The leaders came from eight communities; Broken Hill (5), Wilcannia (2), Menindee (2), Wentworth (2), Dareton (2), Buronga (1), Pomona (1) and Balranald (1). Some plan to run classes in other small communities along the Murray.
accredited as Tai Chi for Arthritis (TCA) leaders and are now able to teach the first set of Tai Chi moves. The leaders came from eight communities; Broken Hill (5), Wilcannia (2), Menindee (2), Wentworth (2), Dareton (2), Buronga (1), Pomona (1) and Balranald (1). Some plan to run classes in other small communities along the Murray.Four of the leaders were volunteers. The health workers were from a range of roles; Day Care Co-ordinator, Aged Care Worker, Aboriginal Health Worker, a range of nursing and assistant nursing roles, a Social Worker and a Health Promotion Officer.
This was the first time Health Promotion had been able to provide training directly to leaders in the Far West LHD. In the past, leaders have been funded to attend training offered by Arthritis Victoria in Swan Hill. Libby was assisted by Jenny Day, another Master Trainer, on Day One.
Evaluations were completed by 14 leaders (88%).
Read the full results here.
9th and 10th July 2011 at Dubbo, NSW, with Master Trainers Jenny Day and Libby Godden
Twenty-five people attended the two-day training and all were accredited as Tai Chi for Arthritis (TCA) leaders. They are now able to run groups and teach the first set of TCA moves. The leaders came from 16 communities; Dubbo (4), Bathurst (2), Canowindra (2), Coonabarabran (2), Cowra (2), Balranald (2) and Dunedoo (2) as well as one leader from Grenfell, Eugowra, Mudgee, Narromine, Molong, Orange (Bloomfield Hospital) and Wellington. Two leaders work in the small communities of Hill End and Glen Alice near Rylstone. Several plan to run classes in other small communities that they work in.
Leaders came from a wide range of backgrounds and organisations. Five were volunteers, some of whom also worked at a residential aged care facility. The 15 health workers had many different roles; nursing and assistant in nursing roles, physiotherapists (3), occupational therapists (2), mental health staff (2) and a Health Promotion Officer. Other leaders were a Buddhist nun, a private fitness leader and 2 staff from a mobile preschool service.
Two people who had registered withdrew at the last minute; one due to an injury and a GP who thought it was a One day workshop.
Leaders came from a wide range of backgrounds and organisations. Five were volunteers, some of whom also worked at a residential aged care facility. The 15 health workers had many different roles; nursing and assistant in nursing roles, physiotherapists (3), occupational therapists (2), mental health staff (2) and a Health Promotion Officer. Other leaders were a Buddhist nun, a private fitness leader and 2 staff from a mobile preschool service.
Two people who had registered withdrew at the last minute; one due to an injury and a GP who thought it was a One day workshop.
Evaluations were completed by 23 leaders (92%).
Read the full results here.
Read the full results here.
Structure of a Two-Day Tai Chi for Health Instructors’ Training Workshop
Fiona Black, Master Trainer, Narwee, NSW, Australia
Dr Paul Lam, Director, TCH Programs, Narwee, NSW Australia
Fiona Black, Master Trainer, Narwee, NSW, Australia
Dr Paul Lam, Director, TCH Programs, Narwee, NSW Australia
Fiona Black writes:
Ray Chappell, a tai chi practitioner who teaches “authentic Tai Chi Chuan, Chi Gung, Ba Gua Zhang and Taoist meditations.” posted a précis of a talk, which he delivered in May this year at the Congress of Rheumatology in London. This caused a flood of mail from ST’s and MT’s. In this article we want to look at both what Christopher said and our responses.
From our point of view Chris’s most contentious statement was “(I am strictly against the teaching of Tai Chi Chuan by people who do not have a personal practice and gain certification to teach others after one weekend training.)”
Taoist meditations.” posted a précis of a talk, which he delivered in May this year at the Congress of Rheumatology in London. This caused a flood of mail from ST’s and MT’s. In this article we want to look at both what Christopher said and our responses. From our point of view Chris’s most contentious statement was “(I am strictly against the teaching of Tai Chi Chuan by people who do not have a personal practice and gain certification to teach others after one weekend training.)”
The success of the weekend workshops for TCA leaders hinges on the fact that our focus is on training health care and fitness professionals and advanced tai chi students and teachers, all of whom have undergone extensive training in their selected area. TCA training consists of self-study and preparation done prior to the workshop, face to face learning at the weekend workshop followed by ongoing support and resources and updates.
This has proved to be a very effective paradigm producing many leaders who offer a safe and effective tai chi for health program to their community. Clem Spence from Scotland has had RA for almost thirty years and thinks “Tai Chi for Arthritis is one of the best forms of exercise for people with arthritis because it is slow moving, which really does help those stiff joints and reduce pain.” For her, and many other participants “Tai chi is a lifestyle”, one they were introduced to via a week end workshop. She does however feel that
“You need to attend multiple workshops and get the proper training to enable you to instruct your classes well.” A sentiment shared by many of our respondents.
To sum up, as a community we fully respect experienced traditional tai chi practitioners but we are convinced “that if instructors follow the (TCA) programme then they will be safe practitioners.” Patricia Lawson succinctly summed up the article when she stated, “The writer seems to agree with our own philosophy and methodology.”
We agree that “tai chi is a wonderful intervention in the treatment of Osteo-Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia,” that it is not “a tablet or a magic gesture", that “ there is not a one shoe fits all practice of Tai Chi Chuan for chronic conditions” and that instructors must “be capable of modifying the tai chi form.”
Experience has shown that our weekend training workshops can achieve all of this and more and that “As long as the teaching is safe, supportive, continues to evolve, and guides participants to improved health, balance and strength” participants in our week end workshops will continue “Empowering people to improve their health and wellness.”
And very importantly, a body of published medical studies had proved our training method together with its safety and efficacy (references available on www.taichiforhealthinstitute.org or on request).
Dr Paul Lam writes:
Occasionally some people misunderstand the Tai Chi for Arthritis and instructors training workshops as only a weekend training workshop. However there is much more. As detailed in the website only qualified participants with prior knowledge, e.g. physical therapists, health professionals and advance tai chi practitioners are certified to teach our programs. Pending on their experience, they are required to study carefully designed material prior to the workshop to expedite learning, most participants are required to study between 50 to 200 hours prior to the workshop pending on their individual qualifications. During the workshop they will be trained according to a proven curriculum constructed and reviewed by medical, health and tai chi experts.
This curriculum not only has input from my team but also relevant organisations such as the Arthritis Foundation in America, and national government bodies in New Zealand, Singapore and Australia. Our 60 Master Trainers around the world (who carry out workshops) adhere strictly to this curriculum. Among them are university professors, experienced tai chi practitioners and educators… all of whom underwent extensive training.
The trained instructors are subject to vigorous scientific studies, the outcome showing high level of efficacy and safety in their teaching. References to these studies can be viewed online. We also offer support after the workshop, continual education material in terms of books, instructional DVDs, personal guidance, group training and further workshops. Updates are required every two years to improve and standardise our instructors’ skill and knowledge.
Over the last 13 years our programs have reached millions of people attesting their efficacy, safety and enjoyment.
We have great respect for traditional values and principles and for that reason TCH programs have incorporated the tai chi principles in their forms. Our Tai Chi for Health programs is effective because we use modern medical knowledge, innovative teaching methods and up to date material to enhance our training. More importantly we are focused on health. Our instructors only teach the Tai Chi for Health program designed for health and which they are certified for.
Traditional tai chi training is effective in the traditional sense. In the traditional era there was no modern medical knowledge available on safety and health improving efficacy. There was no medical research on effective and safe way of teaching. Most traditional training does not have an established curriculum that has been tested and proven by research studies. It is difficult to set standard and replicate success. A good instructor from one school might teach tai chi successfully, however his training could be totally different from another instructor. Unlike the Tai Chi for Health programs where over 10,000 of our instructors have undergone the same training, test and curriculum endorsed by the Tai Chi for Health Institute.
We would like to propose to our readers to try using our program to see how vigorous, safe and effective it is. We welcome suggestions from those who have experienced the system. We encourage our tai chi friends to refrain from judging before finding out the facts.
Mindful execution of tai chi movements is a powerful pathway to connect with your inner self and harmonize with the underlying flow of life energy. As babies we didn’t come with an instruction book on how to function successfully in life; how to live in an energy world. But if you feel for the energy of tai chi that becomes evident by following tai chi’s principles, you will be guided to harmonize with the underlying energy of life. With an intention to follow the flow, and yield to the incoming forces in life experiences, you are in effect doing push hands with the invisible energetic connections that envelop us all into a web of inter-connection.
Everyday we all have the opportunity to do mental push hands with people in interpersonal relationships; with people at work, people in our local community environment and globally with our thought forms, attitudes and intentions. When we pursue martial arts and tai chi training, we create a micro laboratory to practice these skill sets of turning our focus inward, sensing our energy body and cultivating these subtle skills in a practical learning environment.
the underlying flow of life energy. As babies we didn’t come with an instruction book on how to function successfully in life; how to live in an energy world. But if you feel for the energy of tai chi that becomes evident by following tai chi’s principles, you will be guided to harmonize with the underlying energy of life. With an intention to follow the flow, and yield to the incoming forces in life experiences, you are in effect doing push hands with the invisible energetic connections that envelop us all into a web of inter-connection. Everyday we all have the opportunity to do mental push hands with people in interpersonal relationships; with people at work, people in our local community environment and globally with our thought forms, attitudes and intentions. When we pursue martial arts and tai chi training, we create a micro laboratory to practice these skill sets of turning our focus inward, sensing our energy body and cultivating these subtle skills in a practical learning environment.
I’ve often wondered why tai chi works as a conduit to experiencing the internal energy world. The portals to this world seem to come through the silence that we drop into when we practice the external form and through the attention of a clear, focused mind. In the silence you find underneath your thinking mind is a connection to the oneness powering all of the universe’s unique expressions of life. By cultivating a jing mind and a song body, you are guided to portals that connect you to the inner world of life force energy. A jing mind has a transformational impact on your tai chi skill, on your mental flexibility to respond to life’s challenges and on your spiritual growth. The quietness and stillness of a jing mind enhance your ability to perceive options and evaluate courses of action. A song body is an essential counterpart to a jing mind. When your body’s structure reflects sound alignment, relaxed open joints, good posture and produces graceful flowing movements, mind and body complement and accelerate your progress.
Harmonizing with the internal flow of energy has many benefits. The universe is essentially a friendly energetic milieu that offers support to us regardless of external circumstances. This is good news because the external world continually flows from pole to pole, from yin to yang, creating events that we humans perceive as either good or bad. When you find yourself in a situation that seems undesirable, your best option is to harmonize with the situation by using the tools that tai chi practice cultivates so that your relaxed, quiet mind and soft open body can sense and know the best way to respond in the situation to move you back toward health, or toward harmony and peace. This creates the best possible outcome in your life.
This inner motivation for learning tai chi, for practicing the underlying principles that give life to the choreography, yields the benefit of activating the parasympathetic nervous system that allows you to relax mind-body, repair and nourish the physical body, calm any anxiety and return to the spaciousness of a still, contemplative approach to awareness and consciousness. This state supports your ability to harmonize with whatever life brings your way now and in the future.
This talk was presented at the June 2011 one-week workshop in Terre Haute, USA
‘’Tai Chi was originally a complex martial art. Nowadays most people use tai chi for its health benefits. With the change of focus, the art would serve people better if modified for its purpose. Most research studies on tai chi are based on modified forms. The ideal way to compose a designed program should include health professionals in the respective field and tai chi experts of different styles.’’
change of focus, the art would serve people better if modified for its purpose. Most research studies on tai chi are based on modified forms. The ideal way to compose a designed program should include health professionals in the respective field and tai chi experts of different styles.’’ Dr Lam wrote this in an article about tai chi for osteoporosis explaining the benefits of a modified tai chi program.
As a Tai Chi for Health instructor I have been teaching Tai Chi for Health classes since 2004.
My students are people with different kinds of medical conditions, seniors, younger people; they all come to class to improve their health and quality of life. The number of my students keeps growing. Why? In this busy, fast world of computers, cell phones, globalisation, competition, burnouts and stress more and more people want to do an exercise program that is not too complicated to learn, reduces stress, slows them down, make them feel better. Tai Chi for health programs offers that.
In Switzerland, it takes a little longer to convince people of something new and strange (Chinese!), but things are changing: People hear about tai chi and health; they hear about your classes, they look on your website and the Tai Chi for Health Institute website. They see what TCH is. That it is tai chi made accessible to everyone for health and wellness. That it means no stress, no competition, easy to learn and safe.
Doctors start sending patients with all kinds of physical and mental conditions; even in Switzerland!
Organisations ask you to do talks or give classes.
Organisations ask you to do talks or give classes.
So there is a need for Tai Chi for Health and for TCH instructors.
As a master trainer I have organised TCH instructor training workshops for Dr Lam and we always had a good number of participants. Dr Lam is well known as tai chi master and expert for tai chi and health, so people want to learn from him and meet him in person. I was positively surprised, that my workshops as a new unknown master trainer I had good numbers of participants.
In my TCA workshop in Switzerland three weeks ago, the majority of participants were health professionals, especially physical therapists. We had only a few exercise/sport instructors and no tai chi teachers, yet.
In my TCA workshop in the Netherlands two weeks ago, the majority of participants were tai chi teachers and exercise/sport instructors. The minority were physical therapists and other health professionals.
So different countries, different workshop needs!
In my TCA workshop in the Netherlands two weeks ago, the majority of participants were tai chi teachers and exercise/sport instructors. The minority were physical therapists and other health professionals.
So different countries, different workshop needs!
However, all participants have in common that they want to learn a safe, easy and effective body and mind exercise program to offer their patients, students, and clients.
Tai Chi for Health instructor training workshops offer that.And there is definitely a need for TCH instructor training workshops.
Dr. Lam wrote an article: How to become an Instructor of the TCH program. He says: ‘’Teaching tai chi for health is one of the most fulfilling experiences. Almost all qualified participants who prepare well would be certified at the end of the training.’’ And: ‘’ we put great emphasis on practicality and safety, you will learn in a friendly and interactive environment.’’
What is the goal of an instructor-training workshop?
The goal is not to deliver tai chi teachers or medical experts. The goal is to teach qualified people to be safe and effective instructors of Tai Chi for Health. We need more than ten thousand TCH instructors to bring Tai Chi for Health to the people all over the world.
Feature Profile – Jenny Sheldon, TCH Instructor, Bend, OR, USA
Joyce Boon, TCH Instructor, Bend, OR, USA
Joyce Boon, TCH Instructor, Bend, OR, USA
Stated simply, teaching combines an understanding of human nature with the skill of successful communication. However, it is obviously much more complex because teaching effectively requires passion, dedication, and humility. Functioning as a collaborator, a facilitator and a motivator, a masterful teacher creates an environment that is conducive to learning, one where students feel comfortable and supported.
However, it is obviously much more complex because teaching effectively requires passion, dedication, and humility. Functioning as a collaborator, a facilitator and a motivator, a masterful teacher creates an environment that is conducive to learning, one where students feel comfortable and supported. In Jenny Sheldon’s Bend and Redmond classrooms, her students are the fortunate recipients of her exemplary teaching skills. Her respect for them and her efforts to improve their health through her business, Active Life Fitness, have helped develop a dynamic tai chi community.
Although Jenny is a talented athlete, having coached and taught athletics at the college level, her transformation from a self-described “jock” to a tai chi practitioner/teacher began in response to her mother’s struggle with Parkinson’s disease. As Jenny explains, “I was looking for an activity that would help people stay independent for as long as possible . . .Through the International Council of Active Aging based in Canada, I became aware of Tai Chi for Arthritis.” Having reviewed the Tai Chi for Arthritis DVD, and having practiced the form, Jenny knew she had “found the activity that would be helpful to anyone with mobility issues.” Persistent and wholly determined, Jenny continued to hone her skills with her colleague and friend, Lynelle Thomas. She wanted to make sure that she felt prepared to share her knowledge with others, and Lynelle helped her in that endeavour. Unfortunately, her mother’s condition became more debilitating, and she died without receiving Jenny’s instruction; however, before her death she urged Jenny to continue her exploration of a beneficial movement activity. Referring to her mother as “always the wind under my sails,” Jenny began teaching others the TCA program. As “the wind under her students’ sails,” Jenny continues to honour her mother’s legacy.
A relationship-oriented person, Jenny’s inspirational teaching style motivates her students not only to explore the forms of tai chi, but also to share their stories and concerns. To her, the teaching of tai chi is holistic; when her students’ health improves, they notice other positive changes in their lives. Jenny confirms this with her observation that tai chi “has taught [her] to embrace change, to be patient, and to listen to others, to nature and to [her] body.” Her emphasis upon health and safety, attention to detail, and adherence to Dr. Lam’s “suggested format and his progressions “has enabled her students to learn Tai Chi for Arthritis, Diabetes, and Osteoporosis. When she feels her students are ready, she introduces and demonstrates the longer forms. She has also earned the Tai Chi in the Workplace certification and intends to implement some classes in the future. In short, Jenny’s incremental teaching and her enthusiasm for tai chi help her students feel successful.
Recently, Jenny and her children suffered the unfathomable loss of their husband and father, Dave; the tai chi community also lost one of its most ardent and beloved supporters. Now the practicing and teaching of tai chi is an especially profound experience for Jenny because its emphasis upon the internal is integral to her healing journey. Tai chi has enabled her to focus upon the moment and remain present to whatever comes next. Stated simply, Jenny’s contributions to her students’ quality of life reflect her tremendous integrity and grace.
Recently, Jenny and her children suffered the unfathomable loss of their husband and father, Dave; the tai chi community also lost one of its most ardent and beloved supporters. Now the practicing and teaching of tai chi is an especially profound experience for Jenny because its emphasis upon the internal is integral to her healing journey. Tai chi has enabled her to focus upon the moment and remain present to whatever comes next. Stated simply, Jenny’s contributions to her students’ quality of life reflect her tremendous integrity and grace.
One way to mentally prepare for performing tai chi with the goal of experiencing moving meditation is to begin with
an "inner smile." I find I can smile inwardly by remembering something that brought on a smile. I might remember a favorite Peanuts cartoon, but I have more success by remembering a one-liner or a pun.The pun is considered to be the highest and lowest form of humor. Why? Because it takes creativity to create the 'punch line' in the pun, and the result often produces a groan (that is why puns are also called 'groaners').
Here are a few puns to enjoy or perhaps bring on a groan:
-
Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, so they lit a fire in the craft. Unsurprisingly it sank, proving once again that you can't have your kayak and heat it too.
-
Did you hear about the meditation instructor who refused Novocain during a root canal? His goal: transcend dental medication.
-
If lawyers get disbarred and clergy are defrocked, why don't politicians get devoted, models deposed and organ donors delivered?
One-liners are often clever outlooks on life that bring on a smile. Add these to your humour file:
-
Do they sterilize the needles for lethal injections?
-
If you ate pasta and then antipasta would you end up hungry?
-
If corn oil comes from corn, where does baby oil come from?
-
Why is there an expiration date on sour cream?
If readers have other smile producing puns or one-liners, please send them to me at: drbobtaichi@juno.com
====================
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.
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.
Ask Dr Lam - you can ask me anything about tai chi here.
The complete list of newsletters
Home
The complete list of newsletters
Home
