How to Become a Certified Tai Chi Instructor of Dr Paul Lam’s Tai Chi for Health Programs

The Tai Chi for Health Institute offers a comprehensive training program that combines self-study, interactive learning, and continuous support to prepare safe and effective instructors for their communities. Our training, endorsed by over 35 medical studies, is not only specific and practical but also enjoyable, with over 50,000 instructors trained globally. 

To earn your Board Certified Tai Chi for Health Instructor title, you need to meet two key requirements: complete a Tai Chi for Health program qualification and maintain an active TCHI membership.

1. REGISTER
   Instructor Training Workshops are available In-person and Online. 

2. PREPARE
   Complete the Self-paced Instructor Preparation Package (SIPP) and read Teaching Tai Chi Effectively

3. PARTICIPATE
   Attend an in-person or online workshop

4. JOIN
   As a board certified instructor, you will join a passionate global community of tai chi practitioners, and your name will be listed in the TCHI instructor directory.

Find a TCHI Instructor Training Workshop at the Instructor Training workshop calendar. These workshops are run by Master Trainers. Dr Lam also offers Instructor Training workshops listed on his calendar. Instructor training courses are also offered at the two major annual week-long workshops in the USA and Australia – these are taught by Master Trainers but listed on Dr Lam’s Workshop Calendar. 

There are two types of workshops: In-person and Online (Zoom). These workshops include a minimum of eight hours of live training, in one or two-day formats.

If you need assistance finding a workshop, please contact the TCHI staff at service@tchi.org. If you have questions about a particular workshop, please contact the Master Trainer directly.

Preparation for the workshop will take 10-150 hours, depending on your prior tai chi and other experience.

Participants must complete the Self-paced Instructor Preparation Package (SIPP) and read the book Teaching Tai Chi Effectively by Dr Lam. SIPP is an online course in which Dr Lam will guide you in a natural sequence of all you need to know to meet the requirements.

• Step-by-step video course with Dr Lam
• Background knowledge, theory, and practice with quizzes and guides
• Includes the program DVD/Online Lesson instructional videos
• 10-150 hours of work, depending on prior tai chi experience

In addition, there are tips about best approaches, key information for safe and effective teaching, and short assessments. It is a complete guide from Dr Lam that can be completed on your own time.

Participants must also read Teaching Tai Chi Effectively, which is available at Tai Chi Productions and as an ebook on Amazon and other sellers.

Participation in a live interactive workshop involves (in-person or via Zoom) work with Dr Lam or one of the many Master Trainers around the world.

Our training workshops are designed to be practical and safe, allowing participants to enjoy learning all the required skills and knowledge in a friendly and interactive environment. At the workshop, you will be assessed on your performance of the tai chi forms and your ability to teach the respective program safely and effectively.

Almost all qualified participants who have prepared before the workshop will meet the requirements after the workshop. MTs are happy to work with you if you need extra support – every participant will be supported until they succeed!

Joining the Tai Chi For Health Institute after completing a workshop is simple. When you fulfil all of the requirements, you will receive an invitation to become a Board Certified TCHI Instructor. You will choose between a Standard and Premier Membership and pay a small annual fee.

As a member of the Tai Chi for Health Institute, you will be listed in the TCHI Instructors’ Directory, which includes a full-page profile and location-based search. Other benefits include discounts on instructional materials and workshop fees.

All instructors are required to update their qualifications every two years to refresh their skills and knowledge of the program.

If you have further questions please check our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to see if there is an answer for you.

What are the Tai Chi for Health programs?

Dr Paul Lam and his team of medical and tai chi experts have created 12 Tai Chi for Health programs to empower people to improve their health and wellness. All programs are easy to learn, effective for health and safe. Dr Lam’s unique teaching method makes learning easy and enjoyable. Millions of people around the world have benefited from these programs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Council on Aging, Arthritis foundations and health departments around the world support one or more of these programs because they are proven by medical studies. More

What is the Tai Chi for Health Institute (TCHI)?

Tai Chi for Health Institute is a non-profit educational organisation that was founded in 2010 by Dr Lam and his Tai Chi for Health colleagues with the purpose of empowering people to improve health and wellness through the Tai Chi for Health programs. It sets and controls the quality and standards of the training and provides support for instructors. Registered in Australia and governed by a democratically elected and unpaid board who volunteer their skill and time. It is a different entity from Tai Chi Productions, which was created by Dr Lam to produce useful learning materials for the Tai Chi for Health programs.

Click here for more information.

What is the difference between TCHI and TCP (Tai Chi Productions)?

Tai Chi Productions was created by Dr Lam to produce useful tai chi learning materials. Its purpose is to empower people to improve their health and wellness through the programs and learning materials. See the first answer above for TCHI.

What is a TCHI Board Certified Instructor?

Board Certified instructor is a person who has fulfilled the requirements, holds a qualification in the training of a Tai Chi for Health program, adheres to the TCHI Code of Ethics and is a member of the Tai Chi for Health Institute Board.

To be a Board Certified Tai Chi for Health Instructor, you must hold two requirements–a qualification to teach a Tai Chi for Health program and a TCHI membership.

All Board Certified Instructors must:

• Complete SIPP and fulfil requirements to be safe and effective instructors of the respective program
• Register as a member of the Tai Chi for Health Institute (Anual fee)
• Update their qualifications every two years to maintain their skill and knowledge
• Adhere to the TCHI code of ethics

Qualified participants include:

• Tai Chi teachers or advanced students (at least one year of experience)
• Physiotherapists or physical therapists
• Occupational therapists
• Allied health professionals
• Nurses
• Rheumatology professionals
• Qualified exercise instructors/leaders
• Other appropriate health professionals

What does it mean to be a Board Certified TCHI Instructor?

Only Board Certified Instructors and their classes are listed on our website, they are licensed to teach Tai Chi for Health program/s and allowed to use the Institute’s logo and Dr Lam’s name. All Board Certified instructors are required to update their qualifications every two years to maintain and update their skills and knowledge.

How can I become a Board Certified Instructor?

To become a Board Certified Tai Chi for Health Instructor, you must hold two requirements–a qualification to teach a Tai Chi for Health program and a TCHI membership.

Once you have completed your training or update workshop with Dr Lam or one of his Master Trainers, you will be entitled to register as a member. An invitation with payment instructions will be sent to you by the Board. If you have not received your invitation two weeks after your training workshop, please contact your Master Trainer or contact the Institute via service@tchi.org (with all relevant information including the date of training, the master trainer’s name, country and a copy of your training completion certificate).

Why Become A Board Certified Instructor?

Developed by Dr. Paul Lam in collaboration with medical specialists and Tai Chi experts, these programs are designed to be safe, easy to learn, and effective for people of all ages and health conditions. Become part of the team to help others improve health, wellness, and quality of life. Our training is comprehensive, practical and specific to our programs. Over 35 scientific studies have shown our programs to be effective for many aspects of health.

Board certification will align the Institute with similar professional bodies to provide recognition with an internationally respected qualification. It is vital to maintain the integrity and the quality of the Tai Chi for Health programs, including our standing with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Council On Aging, Arthritis Foundations, many health departments and other supporting bodies.

Teaching tai chi for health is one of the most fulfilling experiences; almost all qualified participants who prepare well will be certified at the end of the training.

What Are the Benefits of Board Certification?

You will enjoy discounts on purchasing instructional material. And there are many other good reasons. You can feel good about becoming a teaching member of the globally respected Tai Chi for Health Institute. Assurance to your students and employer that you are qualified and passionate about empowering people to improve their health and lifestyle, as well as:

• Be listed online with all other current Board Certified instructors at the Tai Chi for Health Institute website Only currently Board Certified instructors are listed.
• On application and agreement to the conditions, you can use the Institute’s official logo, brochure, business card and banner to promote your class. Contact us at service@tchi.org for more information.
• Belonging to a global organisation supported worldwide for its quality of training in teaching evidence-based programs. Comprehensive training material is available and all levels of instructors have intensive training. More than 35 published medical studies have shown the health improving effects of the Tai Chi for Health programs. The Tai Chi for Arthritis program is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov) for fall prevention. Health departments and many Arthritis Foundations around the world support the Institute.
• 25% discount on instructional material (DVDs, Charts, Books and CDs) from Tai Chi Productions when you spend over $200. (Premier Instructors are entitled to a 15% discount on any purchase and a 35% discount for orders exceeding $200. To find out how to become a Premier Instructor, please scroll down.)
• 5-10% discount on selected workshops by Dr Lam and his Master Trainers.
• Authorised to use the Tai Chi for Health Institute logo for promotion and business cards. You must be currently registered and adhere to the Code of Ethics. Full instructions will be given on registration.
• Use of workshop brochures, presentation PPT and materials provided by the Institute to promote your classes.
• Ability to enter and edit your profile online at the Tai Chi for Health Institute website to post your photo, classes, time and any relevant training and experience. These are searchable through the internet. The Institute’s website is visited daily by thousands.
• Receive a digital certificate that can be forwarded to anyone who needs proof of your teaching qualification.
• An indication that you are supporting your institute and its purpose to empower people to improve their health and wellness.
• Support from the Institute.

Is there a fee to register?

Annual membership fee of $AUD40 (approx USD$27, or GBP£21). TCHI will send you a reminder each year. Why is there a fee?

I am an instructor for several programs, do I pay a fee for each program?

One registration fee will cover all programs you have been trained to teach for one year. For example, if you are trained to teach Tai Chi for Arthritis, Tai Chi for Energy and Tai Chi for Diabetes, you will only be required to pay one annual registration fee.

How do I pay my fee?

When it is due you will be sent information on how to pay. You can visit this link for helpful information.

What currency are the fees paid in?

TCHI fees have always been charged in AU dollars. When you make the payment it will automatically be converted to your local currency. Paying anything by credit card online generally incurs a small fee when you are not paying in your local currency. If in doubt please contact your credit card provider.

What is a Premier Board Certified instructor?

A Premier Board Certified Instructor is the same as a Board Certified Instructor except for three things. Firstly, Premier instructors will be entitled to a 15% discount on any purchase of instructional material (DVDs, Charts, Books and CDs) from Tai Chi Productions, and a 35% discount for orders exceeding $200 after the discount has been applied. Secondly, your name on the online list would be more prominent with bold text. Lastly and more importantly, indicating your strong support for the Institute.

How can I become a Premier instructor?

Upon your invitation to become a Board Certified instructor, you will have this option by paying an extra $AUD30 at the time of registration.

I am a Premier instructor now, what will happen?

You will continue to be listed as a Premier instructor until the tenancy runs out in one year, then you will be invited to become a Premier Board certified instructor.

Would I still be awarded the embossed or a special digital certificate after the training or update workshop conducted by MTs?

Yes. You will receive the special certificate either on paper with the embossed Tai Chi for Health logo or a digital one that can be printed in high resolution and many other features as the certification of your successful training.

Can I teach the Tai Chi for Health program without being TCHI Board Certified?

The Board certification is your license to use the title Dr Paul Lam’s Tai Chi for Health program’s and to prove that you have been trained, meet the Board’s standards and are qualified to teach the program’s.

Many governmental and funding bodies require proof of an appropriate qualification to teach tai chi. Tai Chi for Health programs are backed by medical evidence. The Institute ensures all our Board certified instructors are well trained and qualified to teach these programs safely and effectively, they are recognised and respected worldwide. Your participants can be reassured that they are in good hands.

How is Board Certification related to Continuing Education Units (CEUs)?

CEUs are related to the attendance of the training workshop. They are awarded by an outside body, many organisations worldwide grant CEU points for your training. Also many would assess each case individually, our reputation of the quality of training is well recognised.

How do I prepare for a workshop?

All participants who attend the workshop will receive either an instructor/leader or an attendance certificate. Different programs have different requirements for preparation, but they are similar to the Tai Chi for Arthritis program (described below). It will take from 10 hours to 300 hours to prepare depending on your experience in tai chi and health education. For example, an experienced tai chi practitioner would not need as much time (about 10 to 50 hours) to learn the program from the instructional DVD or Online Lessons.

Example: Preparation for the Tai Chi for Arthritis program

Study the instructional Tai Chi for Arthritis Online Lessons or DVD (it consists of twelve virtually real time lessons from Dr Lam), “Teaching Tai Chi Effectively” book by Dr Lam and handbook, and learn how to do the Warm up and Cool down exercises, the Basic Six movements and the Advanced Six movements.

Even if you attend the workshop to learn a program for your health and wellness, Dr Lam strongly recommends you prepare the same way as instructor trainees, as it will enable you to gain more from the workshop. Read the handbook to understand what tai chi is, what arthritis is and how it works. The “Teaching Tai Chi Effectively” book is the textbook for instructors of the Tai Chi for Health programs and would be a useful reference book for any tai chi or exercise teacher. If you are especially interested in medical knowledge of arthritis, “Overcoming Arthritis” written by Dr Lam and Judith Horstman is a valuable resource for both you and your participants.

How long do I have access to the SIPP materials? How long will it take to complete?

You have one year of access from the time you register for the Self-Paced Instructor Training Workshop. You can keep accessing the material (watch and re-watch any of the videos) in the bundle, including the optional webinars, for the entire 365 days.

Completing the SIPP online learning program takes anywhere from 10 hours; for experienced Tai Chi for Health instructors, to 150 hours for participants new to tai chi; taking into account that learning, practising and memorising the form takes time. Please start your preparation as soon as possible and allow suitable time to complete the required program depending on your experience.

How will I access the SIPP training materials?

The SIPP materials are available at OnlineTaiChiWorkshops.com. After registering for an Instructor Training Workshop, you will receive instructions about how to access the materials.

What is the process for becoming a Board Certified Instructor? How long will it take?

After the completion of the instructor training workshop, you will be eligible to become a Tai Chi for Health Institute Board Certified Instructor of your respective program. You will receive an invitation by email within two weeks. Please contact your master trainer or the board if you did not receive your invitation.

The invitation will show you how to pay the Board Certification fee for the license to teach Tai Chi for Health programs. Benefits include using Dr Lam and Tai Chi for Health Institute’s name for teaching, discount on instructional material, use of logo, support and resources.

Please note the training is valid for two years, and Board Certification is valid only for one year.

Why do Board Certified Instructors need to update every two years?

As with all health and exercise professionals, updates are necessary to maintain and improve skills and knowledge. There would be new studies, development and practice emerging to improve your teaching and tai chi skills. It is also an excellent time to share experiences and connect with other members of the Tai Chi for Health vision.

We are proud that our programs are supported by many organisations worldwide, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Council on Aging and Arthritis Foundations and many others around the world. The quality of our programs and instructors is the reason for this level of support. Updating is a necessary part of maintaining our professional status. Our standards and educational programs are constantly monitored and improved. Those instructors who allow the qualification to lapse are not authorised to use Dr Lam and the Institute’s name in their teaching and advertising.

I am an instructor currently listed on the Institute’s website. What happens to my profile and benefits?

For all existing instructors including Premier Instructor, MTs and STs, your profile will still be online and benefits available until the first program needs an update.

Reminders will be sent automatically 6 and 3 months prior. At that point, you will be invited to register. We also encourage all instructors to regularly update their class information.

I am an instructor, do I need to be updated? How and why?

Instructors/leaders are required to renew their certification every two years to update their skills and knowledge of the program. You can attend an update workshop run by Dr Lam or one of his Master Trainers. Available update workshops are listed on this website in the workshop calendar. Many training workshops include updates provided it is arranged in advance and you need to complete a written assignment beforehand. Updates are also available by correspondence for instructors who cannot attend a workshop because of extreme circumstances.

As with all health and exercise professionals, updates are necessary to maintain and improve skill and knowledge. There would be new studies, developments and practices emerging to improve your teaching and tai chi skills. It is also an excellent time to share experiences and connect with other members of the Tai Chi for Health vision.

We are proud that our programs are supported by many organisations worldwide, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Council on Aging, Arthritis Foundations, and many organisations around the world. The quality of our programs and instructors is the reason for this level of support. Updating is a necessary part of maintaining our professional status. Our standards and educational programs are constantly monitored and improved. Those instructors who allow the qualification to lapse are not authorised to use Dr Lam and the Institute’s name in their advertising.

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