The
Voice of TCAA
A
Newsletter from the Tai Chi for Arthritis Association
For more info about the program, an application form
August 2004 - Issue 5 - click on the title to view the article
CONTENTS
- Editors Letter
- President's Message by Pam Kircher, M.D.
- Teaching Sun Style for Chronic Back Pain by Caroline Demoise
- Wanted-and Found: Tai Chi Students by Arlene Faulk
- Ask Dr. Lam
- Benefiting From Our Shared Vision by Shelia Rae
- TCAA Membership: A Good Deal
- How to Get Insurance
- How to Order Products
- Upcoming Workshops
Welcome back! Actually, this is the second edition of the August 2004 newsletter. The first one was mailed out in hard copy to current members of TCAA. At Asilomar, the TCAA Board of Directors voted a bonus for members only. We decided to send the quarterly online newsletter in hard copy twice a year in addition to the quarterly online. While the hard copy newsletter will contain virtually the same information as the online edition, the Board felt that TCAA members should enjoy the benefits of the printed word.
On a more personal note, I want to say goodbye-well, sort of. I've resigned as editor of this newsletter. At the risk of sounding trite, I want time to smell the roses. But we're lucky. Fellow board member and master trainer Pat Lawson from Florida has consented to take over for me. I know from experience (she assisted me with this issue) that she'll do a great job. Please send your questions, stories, what-have-you to Pat at plawson6@hotmail.com. She'll be glad to hear from you. And if you want to use me as a sounding board, feel free. nkieffer@astound.net. I'll be supporting Pat until her feet get fully wet.
I've enjoyed working with you, and I'll miss those emails coming in.
Best to all of you.
Nancy Kieffer, editor
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PRESIDENT'S
MESSAGE
By Pam Kircher, M.D.
While the recent workshop
at Asilomar was a wonderful success on many levels, I would like to dwell
on its impact on the TCAA organization. 
TCAA arose as a concept only two-and-a-half years ago when several Americans were sitting around a table in Sydney at the close of the January 2002 workshop. We thought how wonderful it would be if we had an organization in the U.S. that would be like the one in Australia which helped put on the annual week-long workshop and that supported people in their practice and in their teaching of TCA.
Six months later when the Master Trainers (MTs) met to study with Paul in May 2002, we decided that we would like to help create such an organization in the U.S. Over the course of the next year, we decided that our mission was "to improve the quality of people's lives through the Tai Chi for Arthritis program." Our overall goals would be to "promote interest in tai chi for health, provide a forum for education and the sharing of ideas, and promote workshops for developing tai chi skills."
In keeping with our goal to promote workshops for developing tai chi skills, TCAA helped Dr. Lam put on the first USA week-long workshop in Connecticut in June 2003. During that first year, group liability insurance was obtained and quarterly e-mail newsletters were sent out to members. Also, members were given a 10 percent discount on workshops and on videos, CDs, and DVDs from Dr. Lam's website, <www. taichiproductions.com>. In order to receive the discount, members do have to mention their membership when ordering items or enrolling in workshops.
In Asilomar at the
second annual USA week-long workshop, participants were invited to join
TCAA as well as to talk about what more they would like to see the organization
do to promote the mission and the overall goals. Some wonderful ideas
were generated that I would like to share with you: 
Members would like to have hard copies of the newsletter. In response to that request, the quarterly newsletter will be sent as a hard copy twice per year and as an e-mail copy four times per year. Members are encouraged to share their newsletters with others who might be interested.
In a panel and group
discussion about expanding teaching opportunities, several venues were
mentioned:
" Contacting HMOs to suggest tai chi classes as a part of preventive
medicine
" Contacting businesses to have tai chi classes in order to provide
healthy breaks for employees and as a way to decrease absenteeism
" Working with the Native American population to decrease the incidence
of diabetes
" Teaching tai chi in college classes as an antidote to the stress
and speed of college life
" Offering tai chi instruction in assisted living facilities to help
people gain strength and balance
One TCAA member stated
that he would like to work with national fitness organizations, but that
it would be important for there to be instructors in many cities when
he did that, so that interested people really could find an instructor.
When we have an appropriate number of instructors, he will move forward
with his plan and it will greatly increase the number of people who are
exposed to tai chi for health, one of our major goals as an organization.
So that's where you come in.
" If you are a Tai Chi for Arthritis and/or Tai Chi for Diabetes
instructor, but haven't yet registered with Dr. Lam's website <www.
taichiproductions.com>, please do so.
" Also, if you are an instructor and a TCAA member, please do drop
a note to Troyce Thome, our workshop coordinator, at tthomer@cox.net,
to let her know that you are a USA instructor.
" If you would like to become an instructor or if you need recertification
as an instructor (required every two years), please contact Troyce about
upcoming workshops.
These are some of the ideas that were generated at Asilomar. This is your organization. As you think of ideas that would promote the goals of the organization or that would be helpful to you as a member of TCAA, please let me know at pk@pamkircher.com. Meanwhile I wish you well in your tai chi practice and teaching and hope to see each of you at our next workshop in June 2005 in Sarasota, Florida.
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TEACHING
SUN STYLE FOR CHRONIC BACK PAIN
By Caroline Demoise, Master Trainer, Florida
Back pain is an extremely common problem in our society. Almost 90% of the population will experience back pain sometime during their life. For many people, back pain is a recurring problem that has a heavy effect on their lives. Learning strategies that will reduce pain and disability from back injuries is essential to maintaining a good quality of life.
In the body, there are two muscular systems. The internal system is composed of the muscles close to the spine, the pelvic floor muscles, the inner layer of abdominal muscles and the diaphragm. These are deep stabilizing muscles that support and protect the spine. The muscles that move the body are the visible muscles that belong to the external system. Athletic conditioning is primarily involved with the more external muscle system. Tai Chi training works effectively with both the external and internal muscle systems. This makes tai chi valuable in the rehabilitation of muscles from back injuries and in managing back pain.
Being a well-conditioned
athlete doesn't insure that you'll be free of lower back pain. The traditional
training and conditioning that produces athletic fitness appears to work
more with the external muscles and not as much with the deep stabilizing
muscles that are often the cause of back pain. Many athletes suffer from
back pain despite all their training. 
Tai chi training, especially the abdominal breathing method and the qi cultivating method centered in the dan tian, works with the deep stabilizing muscles as well as external muscles. A new workshop created by Dr. Paul Lam called Tai Chi for Back Pain offers Tai Chi for Arthritis instructors the opportunity to build on their previous Sun style instructor training to work effectively with people suffering from back pain.
Throughout the entire program, Dr. Lam has integrated modern medical findings with the ancient arts of tai chi and qigong. Instructors will learn techniques to activate and strengthen the deep stabilizing muscles during tai chi movements. These new techniques are taught in a seated position as well as in standing and moving positions. Designed to help people with back pain better cope with daily tasks as well as improve their mental and physical health, the program is adaptable for people who are wheelchair bound and people with other chronic disabilities.
The Tai Chi for Back
Pain workshop is designed as an advanced training in Sun style for instructors
already familiar with the Tai Chi for Arthritis program. Goals of the
workshop are to:
" Improve your teaching skills.
" Adapt the short-form Sun style to people with back pain, people
in wheelchairs, and people with other chronic conditions.
" Discover the causes of back pain and how to use tai chi principles
and simple Sun style movements to help people with back pain.
" Improve your depth in Sun style.
If you're interested in this new back pain workshop by Dr. Lam, read about it on Dr. Lam's website <taichiproductions.com>. To register for the first Tai Chi for Back Pain workshop in the USA, October 16 and 17, 2004 in Bradenton, Florida, contact Caroline Demoise at taichi@frontier.net. The early registration date to receive a discount is August 16, 2004.
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WANTED-AND
FOUND: TAI CHI STUDENTS
BY Arlene Faulk, TCA Instructor, Chicago
Promotion. Visibility. Determination. Attention. By following those active thoughts as well as concrete action steps, I launched a successful Tai Chi for Arthritis class in Chicago. I was teaching some small classes in individual homes, but I wanted to teach in hospitals, rehab centers and academic institutions. Although I knew Tai Chi for Arthritis was being taught in at least four suburbs of Chicago, I couldn't find anything offered in the city. Surprising since I live in a city of millions!
Determined, I went after a space in the heart of the city that would be easy for students to get to by walking and /or public transportation. For a while, a common response I received was, "We're interested but we just don't have the space right now." But finally I got approval to hold an eight-week class at a large church, which has a health ministry outreach. Concurrently, I developed a crisp, attractive flyer and determined the location of the target audience.
Pounding the pavement, I took flyers to the local Arthritis Foundation chapter, to my internist, opthalmologist, sports rehab centers and to all my tai chi students at Heartwood Center for Body Mind Spirit in Evanston ( a suburb just north of Chicago), where I teach. The church supported me by announcing the classes in their weekly printed and e-mail newsletters. The response was overwhelming. Twenty-three students, and right away one class became two. Six more people are interested and I'm continuing to get calls. The age range of the students: from 40 to 60, with one couple in their 70s.
What made my class successful? I spent money to make money. I spent it on a great flyer and a great location. I targeted an audience that would be receptive. I took the time to develop a relationship with the local Arthritis Foundation and I enhanced the one I have with the church. Both organizations have been supportive in helping to promote tai chi. And probably the most important thing: I spent many hours developing a plan and then executing it to the best of my ability.
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ASK DR. LAM
Q: (from TCA instructor
Robin Malby, Concord, CA) How safe is tai chi for students who have had
heart surgery, a pacemaker, or any other heart condition?
A: I see no safety problem for anyone with a heart condition as long as they have a clearance from their doctor and as long as the normal precautions (as included in your instructor's workshop training) are taken. In extreme severe cases, a doctor might advise that no exercise would be appropriate. You must never contradict a medically qualified doctor's advice and always be prepared to seek his or her advice and work with your student's medical professional. The vast majority of people with heart conditions need gentle exercise just like tai chi. Tai chi can be classified as a moderate exercise, and with added advantage that the level of exertion can be adjusted by the student. It is an ideal exercise for people with heart conditions to improve their fitness, mental tranquility, and quality of life.
Studies have shown that people with severe levels of angina who have regular and appropriate exercise live a healthier and longer life compared to those who don't exercise at all. In severe angina, the arteries of the heart have been significantly narrowed. Naturally, anything could trigger a heart attack. In fact, people can be sitting in their homes or be sleeping when they suffer a heart attack but if they do exercise sensibly and carefully, their condition can improve and they can live longer and healthier lives.
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BENEFITING
FROM OUR SHARED VISION
by Shelia Rae, TCA Instructor, Memphis, Tennessee
I love to listen to
my friend and tai chi sister, Sandra Pruzansky, talk about her early days
of training at Professor Cheng Man Ching's school in New York City. Her
stories are great. She tells of an openness and sharing in the professor's
school. Perhaps that openness is why his legacy lives on. And perhaps
it's the reason he's still considered a great leader in the tai chi world.
I've heard other stories, however, about some "old school" teachers who would go to such extreme lengths to guard their knowledge that they would actually cover their windows so no one could look in from the outside and learn their secrets. This practice probably trickled down from a need early on to protect themselves and their families from warring villages. Yet, it was this holding back of information that resulted in the loss of many forms. To keep that tradition alive meant that only the select few were able to know the many benefits of tai chi.
As we no longer live in a world where hand-to-hand combat can protect us from weapons that range from guns to chemical warfare, we must re-evaluate this archaic secretive practice. It's time to share all we know about tai chi forms and principles to better our changing world.
That's where Dr. Paul Lam, a true master and leader of our day, comes in. He has opened the door and the windows to bring the TCA program to the world, allowing everyone the opportunity to learn and benefit from tai chi and its principles. The more instructors he can train, the further the vision can reach, healing not only individuals but the very earth we all call home.
I'm proud to be a part of Dr. Lam's vision. We can all contribute to spreading the benefits of tai chi by accepting invitations to speak at rehab centers, support groups, academic and professional conventions, libraries, and local Arthritis Foundation chapters. If we reach out locally, with knowledge and enthusiasm, we will join Dr. Lam in his global effort-making the world a better place to live.
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TCAA
MEMBERSHIP: A GOOD DEAL
Now you'll get even more for your mere $45 per year membership in TCAA.
Additional benefits now include:
// 10% off all workshops
// 10% off classes that are sponsored by Master Trainers
// Hard copy newsletters twice a year
Other benefits include
discounts on videos and CDs; access to group insurance coverage. Specially
designed for our members, the insurance package is underwritten by the
Fitness and Wellness Insurance Agency. (see below).
.
To join or renew your membership, please contact Caroline Demoise at <taichi@frontier.net>
or Doug Sams at <tcaa.treasurer@earthlink.net>,
or by mail to TCAA, PO Box 21982,Lincoln, NE 68542-1982. And if you've
changed your address since submitting your last membership dues, please
notify Caroline or Doug they can update the records.
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The insurance package, strictly for TCAA members, is underwritten by the Fitness and Wellness Insurance Agency, who have been in business for 18 years. It's the only agency that specializes in insuring fitness instructors. The rates are stratified by where you teach tai chi, how often you teach, and whether you own or directly rent your space.
Check it out at www.fitnessandwellness.com. For general information, call the Fitness and Wellness Insurance Agency, 800-395-8075, and ask for Eileen Romosod, Ex. 167. If you wish insurance coverage, ask for Rick Felix, Ex. 153. You can also email him at rfelix@fitnessandwellness.com. Remember, you must be a member of TCAA to get this insurance.
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Want to order a video,
a CD, a T-shirt, or any other of Dr. Paul Lam's products? You can mail
your order to: East Acton Videos, Inc / Tai Chi Productions, PO Box 3102,
Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-3102 or Telephone: 973-838-8889 or Fax: 800-889-2082
An optional phone number is: 973-283-9699, and an optional fax number
is 973-283-9698.
Enquiries: service@taichiproductions.com
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UPCOMING
WORKSHOPS
Go
to the calendar by Dr Lam and Authorised Master Trainers for more
Tai Chi for Arthritis
Part I, August 21-22, 2004, Bradenton, Florida
Instructor: Caroline Demoise
taichi@frontier.net
Tai Chi for Arthritis Update and Part II, August 28-29, West Palm Beach
Chapter Office of the Arthritis Foundation.
Instructor: Pat Lawson
(772) 288-3284.
Tai Chi for Arthritis
Update and Part II, September 11-12, 2004, Bradenton, Florida.
Instructor: Caroline Demoise
taichi@frontier.net
Tai Chi for Diabetes
and a Walk in the Woods, October 2, 2004, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Glen Deven Ranch,
a part of the Big Sur Land Trust, California.
Instructor: Stephanie Taylor MD
831-649-2320 messages only
staylor5555@earthlink.net
October 9 - October
10, 2004 . Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands , UK
Tai Chi for Arthritis Instructor's; also Part II and Updates
Instructor: Dr Paul
Lam
service@taichiproductions.com
October 16 - October
17, 2004 . Bradenton, FL , USA
Tai Chi for Back Pain Instructor's Training
Instructor: Dr Paul Lam
service@taichiproductions.com
October 23 - October
24, 2004 . Minnesota , USA
Tai Chi for Diabetes Instructor's Workshop
Instructor: Dr Paul Lam
service@taichiproductions.com
October 30 - October
31, 2004 . San Diego , USA
Tai Chi for Diabetes Instructor's Workshop
Instructor: Dr Paul Lam
service@taichiproductions.com
Tai Chi for Arthritis
Part I and Tai Chi for Arthritis Update and Part II, November 6-7, 2004,
Melbourne, Kentucky (just south of Cincinnati, Ohio).
Instructor: Nancy Kieffer
For information, contact Ralph Dehner, ralphdehner@juno.com.
November 20 - November
21, 2004 . Christchurch , New Zealand
Tai Chi for Diabetes Instructor's Training Workshop
Instructor: Dr Paul Lam
service@taichiproductions.com
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