In-Person: TCA/TCAFP Instructor Qualification Training & Updates w/MT Heather Chalon, MPH

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.

This training has two parts, a self-paced online portion and a live interactive portion. The Self-Paced Instructor Preparation Package (SIPP) is a self-paced virtual program containing essential material plus instruction in the basic movements to train effective and safe instructors. All you have to do is follow the sequence with Dr Lam’s video guides for every step. Complete the quizzes at the end of each unit to move on, and at completion of the SIPP you download your Certificate of Completion to send to the Master Trainer.

After completion of the SIPP, you are ready for the live interactive instructor training workshop to be eligible to become a Tai Chi for Health Institute (TCHI) board-certified instructor. All TCHI Master Trainers around the world can conduct this workshop as listed online at the Tai Chi for Health Institute (tchi.org) website. The listing will indicate whether it is offered on a virtual platform or in-person, and how the hours (minimum of 8) are distributed into 1 or 2 sessions.  

Suitable participants include health and fitness professionals or those with other similar qualifications, and experienced tai chi students.

The live workshop is very personal. The Master Trainer will work with you to answer your questions, help to improve your tai chi, and ensure you can teach the program safely and effectively.  There will be discussions, practice sessions, and sharing of skills and knowledge, Question and Answer portions, and, most importantly, personal interaction. The Master Trainer will give you feedback on what you did well and how you can improve your tai chi and teaching skills and connect you to the Tai Chi for Health Institute (TCHI), fellow instructors, and Senior Trainers and offer continual support.

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

Who Can Come?

Anyone with or without prior tai chi experience can attend this workshop. However, preparation is mandatory.

Registration Process

When you register for the live interactive training, you will receive a link to purchase the prerequisite online SIPP course. Normally priced at USD 80, your link will allow you to purchase it at a discount of 30%. You must go to Online Tai Chi Workshops and purchase this separately from paying your course fee to the Master Trainer. It must be completed before the live interactive training. Allow 25-70 hours, on your schedule, and forward the Certificate of Completion to the trainer to qualify you for participation in the live interactive workshop. Do enroll ASAP because you must complete it before participating in the live interactive portion. You will have access to the online SIPP material for one year, and you will find it a great support to your teaching skills.

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

Thank you for taking a few moments to thoroughly read the following information before you register.   

NOTE: If you will be flying in for the workshop, please complete your registration, submit your payment, and ensure we are in communication prior to purchasing your plane tickets.

Tai Chi for Arthritis (TCA) / TCA for Fall Prevention (TCAFP) Instructor Qualification Training, with options for:

1. First-time TCA/TCAFP Instructor Certification with an option to add Seated TCA if well prepared and approved by Heather.
2. Previously TCA/TCAFP Certified, but more than 2.5 years since your last certification with an option to add Seated TCA.
3. Current TCA/TCAFP instructors to recertify/update their current TCH certifications and/or add Seated TCA.  Recertifcation is required every 2-years, currently with a 6-month grace period.
4. Skill Development / Just for Fun - space permitting for those who want to deepen their existing skills.

Welcome!  Thank you for taking this step for your own health and wellness, in addition to gaining a powerful skill set for serving others in your community.   We look forward to supporting your tai chi for health journey.   

This workshop is designed to train participants to safely and effectively deliver instruction in the Tai Chi for Arthritis / Tai Chi for Arthritis for Falls Prevention (TCA/TCAFP) program to others.  

TCA is the Tai Chi for Health Institute's flagship program, recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for preventing falls and increasing the overall health of participants.  TCA is also recommended by Arthritis Foundations, National Council on Aging, Health and Wellness Agencies and Health Departments around the world.  Many people who teach Seated TCA are amazed at how much depth they gain for themselves and their participants. STCA engages the mind-body connection and is fun to play with all skill levels and abilities, so it makes for a great bridge in mixed-level classes and for bringing new participants into an existing class. TCA2 offers you and your participants new challenges and opportunities for fun times together by adding additional moves and new skills for depth of the core set.

Your preparation / pre-requisites:   

• Participants study/practice a recommended minimum of 20-35 hours with the required Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention Self-Paced Preparation Package Online Course (SIPP), the Tai Chi for Arthritis and Falls Prevention Handbook and the Teaching Tai Chi Effectively Book prior to the workshop.
• Email the following to Heather for review prior to the workshop:
  • For first-time certification, your ‘Certificate of Completion’ from the required online SIPP program.
  • For recertification, your written Google Forms assignment.
  • Although not required, videos of you performing the TCA movements are strongly encouraged as a tool for self-discovery of tai chi forms and preparation accountability partnerships.  
• Further details for your time-efficient preparation will be provided in your email welcome package after you register and submit payment for the workshop fee.

By the end of our time together we will be able to demonstrate basic ability to follow the program using the prescribed teaching method and proficiently demonstrate the warmup, cool down, basic 6 tai chi moves to both sides, and the extended 6 tai chi moves to the left, including seated. 

Participants who meet the requirements for certification will receive "Instructor Certification” with an invitation from Dr. Paul Lam/ Tai Chi for Health Institute to register online to become a Board-Certified Instructor with the Tai Chi for Health Institute. Those who need more time will work with the MT to meet the requirements prior to instructor certification being awarded

Register By:  

• First-time certification registration, February 1, 2025, 5:00 pm MST
• Current instructor, recertification or needing to be reinstated, February 12, 2025, 5:00 pm MST 

NOTE:  If you are already a certified TCHI instructor, you will need to login to the TCHI.org website before you register for this workshop on the same site.  Use the "Lost Password" link to reset your password if you are having difficulties logging onto this website.

Certification Options:

1.  First Time TCA/TCAFP Instructor Certification or Previously Certified and more than 2.5 years since your last certification.

• Select both Certified TCA and TCAFP Instructor options under Courses when registering.   
• With some teaching TCA experience and commitment to arrive well prepared, Seated TCA may be added.  Select Certified STCA Instructor under Courses when registering.   

2.  Recertifications/Updates (currently within 2.5 years since last certification) with Option to Add Seated TCA:

• Recertification is every 2 years, currently with an additional 6-month grace period. Additional fees apply for each update/recertification program in addition to the TCA/TCAFP workshop fee.  Including Seated TCA and/or TCA Part 2.
• If you are currently certified and seeking recertification in TCA, TCAFP, Seated TCA and/or TCA Part 2 then select the applicable programs under Refresher Courses when registering. 
• If you are adding Seated TCA to your current TCA/TCAFP certifications, then also select Seated TCA under Courses when registering.

3. Current TCA/TCAFP Instructors: Add First Time Seated TCA Certification with Skill Development (not recertifying in TCA/TCAFP at this workshop)

• If you are adding Seated TCA to your current TCA/TCAFP certifications, then select Seated TCA under Courses when registering.

4. Skill Development Options for Current TCA/TCAFP Instructors (not recertifying or adding certifications at this workshop)

• Add "Skill Development" in the Comments section on the last page of registration. You will then be added to our waitlist and informed as space permits.

NOTE: Assignments and video demos must be completed and returned to Heather at heatherchalonevents@outlook.com and approved by February 19, 2025 - 10 days prior to the workshop.

Instructor Certification in TCA/TCAFP :  

Total Cost:  $490 ($380 Workshop Fee, plus $110 required Materials and Membership Fee)

• $380:  2-Day In-Person TCA/TCAFP Instructor Training Workshop with Master Trainer Heather Chalon, MPH
  • NOTE:  Additional $50 for Seated TCA if well prepared and approved by Heather
• $110:  Required Training Materials & Membership Fee (purchased separately by each participant) includes:
  • Tai Chi for Arthritis & Fall Prevention Self-Paced Preparation Package Online Course (SIPP) - $56
  • Teaching Tai Chi Effectively & Tai Chi for Arthritis & Fall Prevention Handbook - $27
  • 1-year Standard Board Membership with Tai Chi for Health Institute (TCHI) - $27
    • Please read http://taichiforhealthinstitute.org/faq-for-becoming-a-board-certified-instructor/ 

Recertifications/Update TCA/TCAFP (currently certified in TCA/TCAFP):  $200 Workshop Fee.   

• Add $50 EACH for Additional Update in Seated TCA and/or TCA2.
• If you are recertifying/updating, you should already have the required training materials. If you for any reason you do not have these materials, discount codes will be provided in your welcome letter to acquire them. While not required, you are encouraged to purchase and complete the SIPP program.

Skill Development/Just for Fun (JFF):  $175 (not certifying or recertifying at this workshop). Enter "JFF" in the comments section on the last page of your registration. Details will be emailed to you after registration.  

Payment:  You will not be asked for payment when you submit this registration, though it will be time efficient if you take your next step and submit payment following the instructions below.  You will be emailed a confirmation by TCHI upon registration, followed by a welcome email from Heather Chalon.  Thank you for promptly taking the next step - to submit payment for the workshop fee to the Master Trainer, Heather Chalon.  NOTE:  Registration is not considered complete until payment has been made.

1)  Zelle, Cosmic Dolphin LLC, heather@heatherchalon.com / 520-780-6751.   NOTE:  Please make a notation within the transaction to identify the purpose of the transaction "TCA WS 3/1" along with your name.

2) Agency Payment - communicate your request to heatherchalonevents@outlook.com

CANCELLATION FEE:  If a request to withdraw from the workshop is received within 3 days of registering and not less than 14 days prior to the workshop is received in writing AND with a written (email) confirmation from Heather, a refund minus $75 administration fee will be possible.  

Harmony Community Healthcare, 310 South Williams Blvd, Suite 210, Tucson AZ 85711  (Note: If you have attended a previous workshop at Harmony, their location has changed)

Questions should be directed to workshop coordinator and TCHI Senior Trainer, Judy Safarewitz, at jsafarewitz@outlook.com

TCHI Master Trainer:  Heather Chalon, MPH,  heather@heatherchalon.com    www.heatherchalon.com

Event information and general correspondence will be sent to you from email address:   heatherchalonevents@outlook.com

Phone numbers will be provided with your welcome email.   

Check your spam/junk folder if you feel you have not received welcome and preparation information within 3 business days of registering for this workshop.