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

Please Enrol NOW … Complete your SIPP Online learning … and then attend the training workshop.

* You will receive the link to complete your SIPP after you have enrolled and paid the fee.
* After your successful completion of the SIPP, 1-Day training workshop & TCHI BCI payment … You will receive 3 certificates (TCA, TCAFP, STCA)
* Read below for Refresher/Updates

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: Complete SIPP, and read the Teaching Tai Chi Effectively book.
Step 5 ~ Complete pre-workshop paperwork (Google Forms emailed before the workshop)
Step 6 ~ Attend the ‘Live Interactive Training Workshop’ LITW
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.

What is SIPP? (Self-paced Instructor Preparation Package)

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 is a self-paced online virtual program containing essential material to train effective and safe instructors. All you have to do is follow the sequence with Dr Lam’s online training.

• After you enrol and pay for this workshop, you will receive a link to the SIPP that you can complete in your own time.
• Do 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).

Suitable participants include: Health and Fitness professionals or those with other similar qualifications, and experienced tai chi students.

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 the quality of life for almost anyone.

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 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 worldwide have benefited 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: SIPP online learning and one-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 TCAFP Workshop)

Fee sections below:

1. $ Full Price Workshop
2. $ REPs, TCHI BCI Member, Live Stronger for Longer Instructor
3. Resources Required
4. Refresher/Updates

1. Full Price Workshop 

ADD TO CART ~ 8 March 2026 … 1 Day
Early Bird $360 incl GST  (After 8 Feb 2026, $400 incl GST) (Includes SIPP online learning link)

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

REPs CPDs (TBC)

ADD TO CART ~ 8 March 2026 … 1 Day
Early Bird $305 incl GST (After 8 Feb 2026, $340 incl GST) (Includes SIPP online learning link)

EXTRA DISCOUNT for attendees of the Live Stronger for Longer Training Day, Sat 7 March 2026
Contact Lily for the CODE

3. Resources Required:

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)     ADD TO CART

PLUS …

Recommended 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)     ADD TO CART

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

4. Refresher / Update(s)

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

ADD TO CART ~ 8 March 2026 … 1 Day
Early Bird $150 NZD incl GST (After 8 Feb 2026, $165)

EXTRA DISCOUNT for attendees of the Live Stronger for Longer Training Day, Sat 7 March 2026
Contact Lily for the CODE
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 is $125 ADD TO CART
Please email Tamara with the names of the updates you need.

VENUE:
Parakiore 

‘VIP Suite’ (50 St Asaph Street, Central City, Christchurch 8011)

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