Newsletter #141 - May 2013

• From me to you, Dr Paul Lam
• Tai Chi for Kids, Daniela Ostezan
• Relax with Tai Chi, Marjory Grenfell Christchurch, New Zealand
• Put yourself in someone else’s Tai Chi Shoes, Sandi Wicher, USA 
• Living in Your Comfort Zone, Caroline Demoise, USA
• Lorna Nixon Cootamundra,NSW says Thankyou to Tai Chi for Health
• Humour, Laughter and Radiant Health, Bob McBrien
  

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Hello Everyone,

Two months ago the CDC (Center of Disease Control and Prevention) wrote to me about Tai Chi for Arthritis being included on their official guide for falls prevention (for more details, see the March newsletter). 

Already several master trainers have informed me that they have acquired funding because of the CDC listing.  Very interestingly, Susan Scheuer, Master Trainer from Sarasota, was asked to teach a tai chi for falls prevention class.  The co-ordinator realised that a more effective way to use the funding would be if they asked Susan to train 10 instructors which would in turn teach a lot more people! I believe one of the reasons the CDC lists the Tai Chi for Arthritis program is that the Tai Chi for Health Institute has an established and proven training system. And just as importantly, that the training system is available through the USA and many parts of the world. You can check out the 63 Master Trainers  who can provide training around the world.

If you apply for funding for falls prevention do keep in mind that funding our Master Trainers to train instructors is more effective because it will benefit more people. The Southern Area Health Service, Department of Health in NSW, has over the last 10 years invited our Master Trainers to train hundreds of instructors. These instructors have reached a significant percentage of its half a million population. The cost by the NSW government is $76 per head per year - less than one medical consultation and yet it saves many times the health dollar that would have been spent on falls and many other medical conditions. More importantly, those who practice tai chi enjoy a better quality of life.

I am getting ready to leave for my global tour. It is wonderful to return to Singapore and London, two of my favourite cities! and great people! I have heard so much about Madrid and am really looking forward to seeing it and meeting new friends. I am very excited with the one and only Tai Chi for Beginners instructors training workshop this year being the pre-conference workshop on 8-9th June. I hope you will come to join me, whether to learn tai chi for yourself or to teach others.

With the USA One Week Workshop almost upon us, we will be feeling the loss of our dear friend, Russ Smiley, who was an integral part of the workshop. I have made a short YouTube tribute to Russ and would like to share it with you.

Did you know there are more than 30,000 visits daily on my clip of this program on YouTube?  There are a few placements for instructor training in the June pre-conference workshop.

The annual one week June USA workshop is practically full, except there are a few places left in the 42 Forms Sword and a couple of other classes. Do contact us as soon as possible if you are thinking of attending.

Did you know I have posted many videos on YouTube?  Everything from free lessons, short previews and Power Point to the Sydney New Year firework display!  Check out the first FREE lesson of Tai Chi for Beginners or go to www.youtube.com and type in “Dr Paul Lam Tai Chi”.  

Once you have had a look at a video, remember to “Like” it.  (Click on the small “thumbs up” icon below the video screen). You can also subscribe to my video channel, which will send you an alert each time something new is posted.  Just click on the “Subscribe” link below the title.  Knowing what everyone “likes” helps us to develop new programs and keeps us on the right track!

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In this newsletter:

• Daniela Ostezan brings Tai Chi to the Kidz and their 'Pot of Honey'!
• Enjoy Marjory Grenfell's experience of freedom and rebellion and living life to the full with the help of Tai Chi
• Sandi tells us how tai chi has impacted her life at the Sydney 15th Annual Tai Chi workshop January 2013
• Caroline Demoise shares how she is living 'within her comfort zone
• Lorna Nixon tells us about her wonderful Tai Chi learning experience
• Humour, Laughter and Radiant Health with Bob McBrien

This months special:  

Tai Chi for Kids
Daniela Ostezan, Instructor, Michigan, USA 

Weeks of communication back and forth led me to teach Tai Chi to a special group of students, no taller than my waist. The audience was curious and eager to learn as we started warm-up exercises. As I was explaining the spine stretch, I used the analogy of a bear stretch. “Do you mean Pooh?” I was asked. That was a defining moment. What was only a few minutes prior a following group, the students became alive with many questions, interjections, advice regarding fictional and realistic characters. The floods were open, we had fun!

The local school district allowed me to advertise Tai Chi classes as an afterschool program. One elementary school responded and I had a four week trial working with grades K-5. I was enthused by the feedback that I received from the students and parents alike. In the Fall I was invited to other elementary schools in the district to teach their students.

I would like to know if there is anyone within our organization that has experience teaching Tai Chi to this age group or is conducting research. If so, I would like to connect and communicate with them to make this program a success. My email address is taichihelps@comcast.net

Using imagery, visualization, and combining story telling with movements I was able to keep their interest. Teaching Tai Chi in small blocks was helpful. Now, I am looking to learn more about exiting ways to bring the “pot of honey” to the new generation embracing the ancient art of Tai Chi.

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Living Life to the Full with Freedom and Rebellion
Marjory Grenfell TCA & TCE Instructor, Christchurch, New Zealand

The motorbike has always been a classic symbol of freedom and rebellion.  Who could forget the Great Escape, Mad Max and The Wild One?

As a less than conventional “senior”, therefore, no-one was wildly surprised when I announced that for my 75^th birthday what I really wanted was a ride on a motorbike.   Oh yes, and it had to be a Harley Davidson!

One of my daughter’s workmates agreed to take me for a “gentle” spin.  I’m not sure quite what he was expecting, perhaps a delicate lady on a walking frame, who would be happy to potter up and down the street.  I think he was a little taken aback when I bounded out to meet him, wearing my first ever pair of jeans, bought especially for the occasion.  After eleven years of tai chi at three lessons a week I certainly didn’t have any problems hopping on to the pillion!

A few safety points later we were off on what, prompted mainly by my enthusiasm, turned into a 100k round trip.  We travelled out of town along spectacular steep and winding roads, overtaking cars and smaller motorbikes, leaning into the curves with me loving every minute!  We stopped at the picturesque village of Little River for a welcome cuppa, but before long I was itching to get back on the Harley!  I arrived home not tired and achy, but exhilarated and full of energy.   I had been warned that bike riding is hard on the joints, but the next day I didn’t experience one single twinge, apart from one of regret that I couldn’t do it all over again!

Tai chi lets me relax, go with the flow and be an Easy Rider!

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Sandi  Wicher, Master Trainer, Walla Walla, USA

We are all so lucky when we are able to go to a workshop to improve our Tai chi skills or to learn a new Tai Chi form.  We are fortunate to be around other teachers and master trainers and to be reminded what is like to go back to being a beginning student again.  This past year, I put myself in someone else’s Tai Chi shoes.

 

I have always had a very active life style.  Now as a wife, homemaker and grandmother, my daily life involves taking care of and exercising my two dogs, three horses, being an active member of the Walla Walla Sheriffs department of Search and Rescue, Mounted Patrol, teaching Tai Chi and Qigong classes, as well as owning and managing a Wellness Centre.

Early last year, 2012, my knee arthritis became so painful it was affecting my daily activities.  I began to sit more with my legs up and resting,  as well as wearing two knee braces while teaching Tai Chi  to remind my busy brain that there was something wrong with my knees.  When I would step wrong and gasp with pain I would not only remind myself to do only what I  feel comfortable doing but my students would also remind me to slow down, work in my comfort zone, breath and focus on weight shift and balance.  I was pleased that my teacher training book “Teaching Tai Chi Effectively” had gotten thru to my students.  They were reminding ME!!

Following my own advice, I made an appointment with my doctor and was told that I would need not one, but two knee replacements.

In October of 2012, I scheduled surgery for bilateral knee replacements.   On day two after surgery, the Physical Therapists had me up to walk with the aid of a walker.   As I hung on the walker, hunched over focusing on my knee pain, my Tai Chi training came into play.  Stand tall, good posture, don’t look down, awareness of weight transference, balance, slow controlled movements and do only what I could do.   One step at a time, one day at a time.

The first three weeks at home, I added seated Tai Chi to the exercises the physical therapist had given me to do.  He did not know anything about Tai Chi but as quick as I was progressing he said he wished all his patients knew Tai Chi.   (I can deal with that, offer a new TCA class!)

When starting outpatient physical therapy one of my exercises was lifting my heel back toward my buttocks (flexion) then stepping over a group of small hurdles (extension) moving forward.   The exercises reminded me of a Qigong for Balance walk called “Crane Walking Steps”.  I showed Cory the Crane Walking and said there were several Tai Chi moves that I could incorporate into my exercises that would help me with my strength, flexibility and balance.   I showed him some of the moves the best I could do at the time.  (Both knees!!)  He told me to go for it!  He was seeing improvement in what I was doing with each session and he too had become a believer in the positive effects of Tai Chi for Health.  Cory said he would send students to my classes for strength and balance.

Having put myself in someone else’s shoes, a person with a chronic condition, I have become more understanding of their needs.   I truly understand one wanting a healthy safe exercise, emotional support, encouragement and a social fun atmosphere.     Tai Chi is not just exercise when coming to a class but taking the movements and skills and applying them to our daily lives.    Tai Chi helps one become more aware of their own body and their surroundings.  Moving a little slower with confidence, looking up and seeing the world and those in it.     Learning to listen to your own body for direction.   I know as an instructor I will teach more effectively now that I have tried on someone else’s shoes.

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Living in Your Comfort Zone

Caroline Demoise, Master Trainer, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

Living in your comfort zone means taking into consideration what your mind wants to do and how your creativity wants to express in the world along with honoring the limitations of your physical body. This is not always a favorite lesson in life’s curriculum. However, it is essential to apply the cornerstone of Dr. Lam’s tai chi for health program (staying in your comfort zone) to life decisions. Each one of us comes to understand how this uniquely applies to our life when the moment arises. 

There is nothing I love to do more than share tai chi with people. At age 50, I realized that what I wanted to do when I grew up was to share tai chi with others. Over the years it has become my passion. In private lessons, in community classes, in instructor training workshops and in the annual June workshop I have had an incredible opportunity to teach tai chi. These years have been a peak experience in my life.  When I began to write about tai chi my understanding deepened as I contemplated how to put my thoughts into words. The act of writing became a channel where words flowed effortlessly on to paper. Now at age 70 I am being guided to re-evaluate and restructure my involvement. 

Thank you to Tai Chi for Health Institute
Lorna Nixon, Tai Chi Instructor, Cootamundra, NSW, Australia

Thank you for the opportunity to publicly thank the Tai Chi for Health Institute for the scholarship which I received for the recent January 2013 Workshop in Sydney.  A friend suggested that I apply so I took her advice and am so glad that I did. Being semi-retired and not eligible for a pension as yet, the scholarship has ensured that I was able to attend another workshop.

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Humour, Laughter and Radiant Health
Dr Bob McBrien, Master Trainer, Salisbury, MD, USA

One source of healthy humor is the pun. A well crafted pun is often called a "groaner" since when we get the punch line we often give out what Ralph Dehner calls a "good abdominal groan". We could think of this as a "dan tien" breathing exercise. Along with Ralph several of these "groaners" were contributed by Russ Smiley. This revisit of an earlier essay (2008) is in honor of Russ.  Here are a few puns to enjoy as we remember Russ's ever present smile.

• Two TV antennas met on a roof, fell in love and got married...The ceremony wasn't much, but the reception was excellent.

• Two cannibals were snacking on a clown. One asks to the other,"Does this taste funny to you?"

• An invisible man marries an invisible woman...The kids were nothing to look at either.

• Deja Moo: The feeling that you've heard this bull before.

• Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, so they lit a fire in the craft. Unsurprisingly it sank. This proves again that…you can't have your kayak and heat it too.
• A Buddhist refused his dentist's offer to use  Novocain during root canal work. He wanted to transcend dental medication. 
• The fattest knight at King Arthur's round table was Sir Cumference. He acquired his size from too much pi
• A hungry lion was roaming through the jungle looking for something to eat. He came across two men sitting under a tree. One was reading a book while the other was typing away on his typewriter. The lion quickly pounced on the book reader  and devoured him. Even the king of the jungle knows that readers digest and writers cramp.