Tai Chi for Arthritis for Fall Prevention

Dr. Paul Lam and his team of medical and tai chi experts designed this program to be safe and effective for people who are at increased risk of falling. It will also provide health benefits and improve almost anyone’s quality of life. More than 30 medical studies have shown its efficacy, and millions of people around the world have gained health benefits. This is why the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.gov), government agencies, and arthritis foundations around the world support it. Tai chi is proven to improve immunity by about 50%. It also relieves stress and improves almost all aspects of health.

Based on the Sun style of tai chi, Tai Chi for Arthritis for Fall Prevention (TCAFP) is easy to learn, effective, and safe. It improves flexibility and muscle strength, increases heart/lung activity, aligns posture, improves balance, and integrates the mind and body.  The TCAFP program includes warm-up and cool-down exercises, the teaching method, knowledge about arthritis and the cause of falls, and how to teach this program safely. This program is the same as the Tai Chi for Arthritis program with the addition of a specialized module to further enhance its efficacy in preventing falls.  Qualified participants who successfully complete the course may be accredited by the Tai Chi for Health Institute to teach this program.

Reasons to Come

• Enjoy learning at your own pace and the personal training to become eligible to be an instructor of this program
• Learn how to teach this program effectively and safely
• Discover how tai chi improves health and relieves arthritis
• Learn Dr Lam's Stepwise Progressive Teaching Method
• Gain essential knowledge about arthritis and fall prevention
• Learn about the essential principles of tai chi
• Improve your level of tai chi in a positive, enjoyable, and interactive environment

Requirements

Anyone is welcome to attend, but in order to qualify to be certified as an instructor, please check the recommended qualifications listed below.

• Physical therapists or physiotherapists
• Tai chi teachers or advanced students
• Exercise instructors
• Other similar professionals

By the Completion of the Workshop, you will:

• Know the Tai Chi for Arthritis for Fall Prevention set at a deeper level
• Understand how tai chi improves health and relaxation and helps prevent falls
• Have learned how to teach this program effectively and safely
• Have improved your tai chi skills and knowledge
• Have learned how to attract and retain more students

Clothing

Wear loose comfortable clothes and flat shoes suitable for exercise.

NB:  The name of the Master Trainer authorized by Dr Lam to conduct this workshop is displayed on the workshop location and details page. 

Tai Chi for Health Program Updates

At this workshop, instructors have an opportunity to update their other Tai Chi for Health certifications. Let the Master Trainer know in advance that you are interested in updates. Additional fees apply.

For more information please click here

Workshop Details: 

Please Enrol NOW … and then attend the training workshop.

* After your successful completion of the 2-Day training workshop & TCHI BCI payment … You will receive 3 certificates (TCA, TCAFP, STCA)
* Read below for Refresher/Updates

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Step 1 ~ Enrol and Pay your Workshop Course Fee(s) to the Master Trainer (section below)
Step 2 ~ Order Required Resources (section below)
Step 3 ~ Register with TCHI (Dr Paul Lam’s Tai Chi for Health Institute Inc) (Link Coming Soon)
Step 4 ~ Prepare for the Instructor Training Workshop: Learn from the required DVD, and read the Teaching Tai Chi Effectively book.
Step 5 ~ Complete pre-workshop paperwork (Google Forms emailed before the workshop)
Step 6 ~ Attend the training Workshop
Step 7 ~ Become a TCHI BCI (Board Certified Instructor) … read below
Step 8 ~ Share your knowledge and skills with others …
Step 9 ~ Update/Refresh your qualification(s) every two years, practise tai chi & have FUN!

TCHI Board Certified Instructor fee is required on successful certification:

The Two-year membership fee is payable directly to the Tai Chi for Health Institute. Following successful completion of the instructor training workshop, you will receive an email invitation to become a Tai Chi for Health Institute Board Certified Instructor (BCI), which is required before teaching the program (if not already a member). Two-year membership fee of AUD $99 (Standard Membership) or $169 AUD (Premier Membership), regardless of the number of certificates you have. A TCHI Board Certified Instructor is a person who has fulfilled the requirements, completed the training of a Tai Chi for Health programme, and is registered with the Tai Chi for Health Institute board. For detailed information, please go to this link HERE

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.

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ABOUT THE WORKSHOP

This workshop is personal. The Master Trainer will work with you to answer your questions and help you improve your tai chi and ensure you can teach the program safely and effectively.

There will be discussions, practice sessions, sharing of skills  and knowledge, Question and Answer portions, and, most importantly, personal tuition. The Master Trainer will give you feedback on what you did well and how you can improve your tai chi and teaching skill  and connect you to the Tai Chi for Health Institute (TCHI), fellow instructors, Senior Trainers and offer continual support.

What is Tai Chi for Arthritis for Fall Prevention?

Dr Paul Lam and his team of medical and tai chi experts designed this program to be safe and effective for people who are at increased risk of falling. It will also provide health benefits and improve almost anyone’s quality of life.

Based on the Sun style of tai chi, Tai Chi for Arthritis for Fall Prevention (TCAFP) is easy to learn, effective and safe. It improves flexibility, muscle strength, increases heart/lung activity, aligns posture, improves balance, and integrates mind and body.

The TCAFP program includes warm-up and cool-down exercises, the teaching method, knowledge about arthritis and the cause of falls, and how to teach this program safely.  This program is the same as the Tai Chi for Arthritis program, with the addition of a specialised module to further enhance its efficacy in preventing falls.

Qualified participants who successfully complete the course will be accredited by the Tai Chi for Health Institute to teach this program.

Thousands of people around the world have gained health benefits from the TCAFP program. Many scientific studies have shown that the program relieves pain, improves quality of life and makes people feel better. Studies also shown the program helps prevent falls; that is why the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention recommends it for this purpose. It is supported by many Arthritis Foundations, including the USA, Australia and the UK.

Reasons to Come

• Enjoy learning at your own pace, and the personal training to become eligible to be an instructor of this program
• Learn how to teach this program effectively and safely
•  Discover how tai chi improves health and relieves arthritis
• Learn Dr Lam’s Stepwise Progressive Teaching Method
• Gain essential knowledge about arthritis and fall prevention
•  Learn about the essential principles of tai chi
•  Improve your level of tai chi in a positive, enjoyable and interactive environment

Requirements

Anyone is welcome to attend, but to be eligible for certification as an instructor, please check the recommended qualifications listed below.

•  Physical therapists or physiotherapists
•  Tai chi teachers or advanced students
•  Exercise instructor
•  Other similar professionals

Participants will receive either an attendance or an instructor/leader’s certificate.

• By the Completion of the Workshop you will:
•  Know the Tai Chi for Arthritis for Fall Prevention set at a deeper level
• Understand how tai chi improves health and relaxation and helps to prevent falls
• Have learned how to teach this program effectively and safely
• Have improved your tai chi skill and knowledge
• Have learned how to attract and retain more students

Clothing

Wear loose, comfortable clothes and flat shoes suitable for exercise.

Course Fees: 

Registration Course Fee Includes: 2-Day Workshop, morning and afternoon teas.
*Participants provide their own lunch
*Participants must have the required resources, see below
*Cancellation administration fee $150 (transferable to a future TCHI Workshop with MT Tamara Bennett)

Fee sections below:

1. Full Price Workshop
2. REPs, TCHI BCI Member 
3. Resources Required
4. Refresher/Updates

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1. Full Price Workshop (Non-TCH Member)

ADD TO CART (LINK coming SOON) ~ 9-10 MAY 2026 … 2 Day
Early Bird $360 incl GST  (After 2 April 2026, $400 incl GST)
Prices subject to Change – 2026 Price Update Coming Soon 

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2. REPs, TCHI BCI Member or Live Stronger for Longer Instructor(15% Discount)

REPs CPDs to be confirmed

ADD TO CART (LINK coming SOON) ~ 9-10 MAY 2026 … 2 Day
Early Bird $305 incl GST (After 2 April 2026, $340 incl GST)
Prices subject to Change – 2026 Price Update Coming Soon 

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3. Pre-Workshop Training Resources Required:

You have two OPTIONS:

1. Purchase and study with the DVD and TTCE book
2. Purchase and complete the SIPP online training.

DVD(s), TTCE book, plus charts:

ADD TO CART Teaching Tai Chi Effectively book 2011 ($25 discounted price for workshop participants ONLY)

ADD TO CART  Tai Chi for Arthritis DVD ($35 discounted price for workshop participants ONLY)

PLUS …

ADD TO CARTRecommended Additional Resources:  $30 extra for the Tai Chi for Arthritis Handbook, Tai Chi for Arthritis movement chart and the Warm-Up & Cool-Down chart ($39 if purchased separately from workshop registration) ($30 discounted price for workshop participants ONLY)

ADD TO CART  Recommended: Seated Tai Chi for Arthritis DVD ($30 discounted price for workshop participants ONLY)

SIPP? (Self-paced Instructor Preparation Package)

ADD TO CART  $100 

Dr Lam and the TCHI Board created the SIPP training system.

1: Complete the SIPP for the TCHI program you are enrolled to train in. The SIPP a self-paced online virtual program containing essential material to train effective and safe instructors. All you have to do is to follow the sequence with Dr Lam’s online training.

• After you enroll and pay for this workshop, you will receive a link to the SIPP that you can complete in your own time.
• Enrol asap, because you must complete the SIPP before the workshop.
• Depending on your experience, it may take anywhere from 10 to 70 hours.

2: Attend the TCHI Workshop: After completion of the SIPP, you will be ready for the ‘Live Interactive Training Workshop’ LITW (either via ZOOM or In-Person), at a one or two day instructor training workshop to be eligible to become a Tai Chi for Health Institute (TCHI) Board Certified Instructor (BCI).

First Aid 

Note: A current First Aid certificate is required for all Tai Chi for Health Institute Instructors and workshop participants. Students are welcome to attend as course participants (Attendance certificate)

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4. Refresher / Update(s)

TCA, TCAFP, STCA, TCA2 (TCA Suite) Refresher/Updates:

Prices subject to Change – 2026 Price Update Coming Soon 
ADD TO CART (LINK coming SOON) ~ 9-10 MAY 2026 … 2 Day
Early Bird $150 NZD incl GST (After 2 April 2026, $165)
*If you’re Refreshing/Updating TCA and want to gain the Tai Chi for Arthritis for Fall Prevention qualification and/or Seated TCA as well, then you must attend both Sat & Sun.

Please email Tamara to let me know which qualifications you want to update.

Other Updates
ADD Additional Refresher/Updates to the workshop price for $40/each.
NOTE: Your assignment(s) will be emailed after enrollment and payment is received, and your TCHI registration has been completed online.

TCO     ADD TO CART
TCD     ADD TO CART
TCE     ADD TO CART
TCE 2  ADD TO CART
TCK     ADD TO CART
TCR     ADD TO CART
TCM    ADD TO CART
TCHC  ADD TO CART
QH      ADD TO CART       
TCL    ADD TO CART

NOTE: If you are updating 4 or more Additional qualifications, the maximum ‘Update’ payment of $125  ADD TO CART
Prices subject to Change – 2026 Price Update Coming Soon 
Please email Tamara with the names of the updates you need.

The Sharda Retreat Centre (15 Percy Graham Dr, Tuakau 2121)

Accommodation Optional: Contact Tamara by email to book a room
$60/night room share with bedding
$50/night room share no bedding

• Communal kitchen onsite and Tuakau township is a 10 minutes walk to cafes, restaurants and shops
• Sharda is 35 minutes drive from the Auckland Airport. Buses and trains are available. Combining shuttle trips is a good idea … let Tamara before you book your flight and she will try to link you with other people from our of town.

Contact

Tamara Bennett
TCHI Master Trainer
taichi@smilingdragon.co.nz
021 255 1087