The
Voice of TCAA
A
Newsletter from the Tai Chi for Arthritis Association
For more info about the program, an application form
Home Videos Instructors Workshops Links
August 2003; Issue No. 1
CONTENTS
- click
on the title to view the articles.
-
Book Review: Overcoming Arthritis by Dr. Paul Lam & Judith Horstman
back to the complete list of newsletters
Welcome to TCAA’s
first newsletter. We have much to share with you. Our goals in
publishing this quarterly newsletter include keeping you informed,
helping you in anyway we can, amusing you when appropriate, and keeping
you in the loop.
While members of the
TCAA Board of Directors wrote the articles for this first issue, we
don’t want to keep it that way. We want your input.
We welcome articles or even ideas for articles from all of you. Give
us letters, questions, whatever. Please send them to <nkieffer@astound.net>.
Thank you to Dr.
Paul Lam for so generously donating his time and the space on his
website so that this newsletter could be received by 6,900 people. Can
you imagine the cost if we had to send out hard copy to that many
people? Most of us in the tai chi world are not geared toward that kind
of expense.
From the articles
listed below, you’ll get information on what TCAA is and what it
offers. We encourage you all to join TCAA and get the benefits from it,
which include: Discounts on workshops; discounts on videos, CDs, and
DVDs; and, access to insurance. (Please read the article listed below
entitled “Members: Who They Are and How to Become One.”)
We hope you enjoy
this newsletter and let us hear from you.
Nancy Kieffer, editor
WHAT IS TCAA?
By Patricia Lawson, TCAA secretary 
It was a breezy, clear January 2002 day in Sydney, Australia when a handful of American tai chi practitioners sat around a table and bandied about the idea of an American tai chi association, free of boundaries drawn by style, lineage or school.
We had all met through Dr. Paul Lam’s Tai Chi for Arthritis program, and we had all completed an invigorating week of training in various styles at the annual Sydney workshop, sponsored by Paul Lam.
What a wonderful time we had! We got to know practitioners from all over the world, from different backgrounds and with a variety of tai chi styles. We wondered aloud whether such an event—an alliance, you might call it—could be formed in North America, an alliance for mutual support and benefit, spanning another continent. We formed the nucleus of the Tai Chi for Arthritis Association of American and elected our president, Dr, Pam Kircher.
By May 2002, we were able to hold our second Board meeting and begin our work—developing a mission statement and our goals. (See Letter from the President.) To help accomplish these goals, we have created this newsletter, organized Tai Chi for Arthritis Instructor workshops in the U.S., and successfully held the First Annual TCAA Workshop at Connecticut College this June. 8
The American week-long workshop provided a wonderful opportunity to train in an open, sharing environment under the tutelage of Paul Lam, guest instructors including Kam Lau Fung and Ian Etcell, as well as eight American master trainers, plus one from Australia. The 2004 Workshop will be held June 20-27 in Northern California.
Consider joining our network. It’s not intended to replace any other systems you already have, nor do we represent any particular style or school. Rather, through our diversity, we aim to help more people, instructors and students alike. Our differences expand our possibilities, while our similarities maintain our focus.
We are a friendly, caring association of people that share the same vision. Dues are modest, and benefits include discounts on workshop fees and products, access to group liability insurance, and newsletters to keep current on developments in research and training opportunities. Most of all, membership provides the opportunity to network with a great group of supportive leaders in the tai chi field and to share a wonderful vision. Join us. Be part of the greater whole.
back to the top
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dr. Pam Kircher
Dear TCAA Members,
Welcome to the first Tai Chi for Arthritis Association (TCAA) newsletter. This newsletter’s purpose is to keep members abreast of what’s happening in the Association, to provide a forum for exchange among members, and to provide education to members. It’s an avenue for staying in touch between the annual workshops. As such, your comments and suggestions for the newsletter are much appreciated. Please do send those comments to our editor, Nancy Kieffer, at nkieffer@astound.net.
This June, as president of TCAA, I discussed the history of the organization at the first annual U.S. workshop in Connecticut. I didn’t talk about our mission statement and goals, developed by the TCAA Directors in May 2002 in Pagosa, Colorado.
Mission: We are dedicated to improving people’s quality of life through the Tai Chi for Arthritis program.
Goal 1: Improve health and wellness through the Tai Chi for Arthritis program.
Goal 2: Expand good knowledge of Tai Chi through education and training.
Goal 3: Expand Tai Chi for Arthritis programs.
Goal 4: Disseminate information on the medical aspects of Tai Chi.
Goal 5: Develop a support network for instructors.
Goal 6: Support medical research related to Tai Chi.
Goal 7: Increase the use of Tai Chi for health.
As you consider our goals, if you feel drawn to work on a particular goal or have ideas about particular goals, please contact me at pmkircher@compuserve.com. The members are the organization. The success of any organization depends upon the dedication of its members to its mission and goals. Those of you who were the first people to commit to this new organization have already shown your dedication by your commitment. Please do become actively involved in the organization with your ideas, your support in areas that are of interest to you, and your good wishes. It is my great pleasure to be your first president and to support this organization as it begins its mission in the United States.
Sincerely,
Pam Kircher, M.D.
back to the top
HELLO FROM DR. PAUL LAM
Welcome to the inaugural edition of The Voice of TCAA. About six years ago, the idea of a special Tai Chi for Arthritis program struck me like a thunderbolt. I soon found a group of experts consisting of a rheumatology physiotherapist, a rheumatologist professor, a rheumatologist, and several tai chi colleagues to work on this program. We tested and revised the program with many people, and took great care to make the program easy, effective and safe. Looking back six years later, I must say that the program has exceeded all our expectation and has reached over 100,000 people worldwide.
I’m thrilled to have worked with the 10 American master trainers who decided to form TCAA. Already, the Board members of this association have had two major successes: first, their work with the Arthritis Foundation of America and its many chapters to train instructors throughout U.S. And second, the organizing of the Connecticut workshop last June. I’m so happy that TCAA is now ready to take in new members.
I am honored to be TCAA’s Honorary Consultant. I shall contribute to the best of my ability. I would like to urge you to join the Association. United we can work more effectively to help others and to help ourselves.
back to the top
WE GAMBLED; WE WON: THE CONNECTICUT WORKSHOP
By Nancy Kieffer
“Why don’t we give a week-long workshop in the United States with Paul, just like he does in Sydney each year?”
That idea, presented almost two years ago at a meeting of Dr. Paul Lam and his American master trainers (the TCAA Board of Directors), went over big. It also opened a can of worms. Where could we hold it? Would enough people come? What would we offer? Have we got enough instructors?
We shouldn’t have worried. The June 9–15 workshop in Connect was an all-out success. We had 83 participants divided into six classes: the Sun 73 (29 students); TCA (25); Sword (7); 36 Chen (5); 24 Forms (5); 42 Forms (12).
“Relaxed atmosphere, with ample chance to learn our chosen form.”
— June Kostelnik
Participants came from all over the United States, from Florida to Colorado, from North Carolina to Arizona.
“Friendly co-students and instructors – easy to talk to.”
— Steve Seligman
On the whole, the evening activities were also a great success with maybe one exception—the bus tour of New London and Mystic.
“Everything was great although the bus trip could have been better. The course teaching plan was very well planned and effective.”
— Elan Abneri
The bus was comfortable, the towns interesting—maybe. Fog prevented us from seeing anything that was more than a few yards away.
“Beautiful location, great group of people. I was amazed how much I learned.”
— Daniel Biittner
With opinions like that, how can we go wrong? Next year, Asilomar, in Monterey, California, June 20–27. See you there.
back to the top
TCAA MEMBERS:
WHO THEY ARE, HOW TO BECOME ONE, AND WHAT YOU GET
It’s easy. It’s inexpensive. It’s beneficial. So why not join TCAA and enjoy the benefits of membership? For $45 a year, you’ll get:
Discounts on workshop fees
Discounts on videos and DVDs
Access to group liability insurance
To become a member, you’ll find an application by clicking here,
or email membership chairman Caroline Demoise at taichi@frontier.net
TCAA Members as of July, 11, 2003: 
Mary Bainto
Barbara Bakelaar
Karen Bene' Coleman
Karen Dodge
Robert Feeser
Mavis Jones
Deborah Leong
Ruth Anne Plourde
Guy C. Prentice
Veronica Sheffel
David A. Tymecki
Members and Directors of TCAA:
Nancy Kieffer
Dr Stephanie Taylor
Yanchy Lacksca
Troyce Thome
Dan Jones
Jay Van Schelt
Dr Pam Kirscher
Pat Lawson
Caroline Demoise
Professor Vince McCullough
Doug Sams
back to the top
EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT THE MASTER TRAINERS
Caroline Demoise (Bradenton,FL), a teacher of Sun style tai chi, has been learning and practicing tai chi for 15 years. She created a tai chi rehab program in a community hospital through the Wellness Center in Colorado. She has been a teacher of the deaf, and
coordinator of educational programs for physicians and is a massage
therapist. Caroline recently relocated to Florida. She has studied tai chi with Dr. Paul Lam in both the U.S. and Australia.
Dan Jones (Lansing, Michigan) Over 32 years experience as a martial arts practitioner including 22 years of tai chi quan and Won Chuen temple boxing and 12 years of combined experience in Japanese karate, tae kwon do, Wing Chun kung fu and Shorin Ryu karate. Sifu (teacher) of Won Chuen temple boxing and ASP tactical baton instructor. Certified police officer and security professional with over 23 years of combined experience in law enforcement, hostage negotiations, personal protection and security management. Owner and founder of Moving Stillness, a training business that teaches and promotes the fluid and graceful art of tai chi quan.
Nancy Kieffer, (Walnut Creek, CA) a writer/editor living in the San Francisco Bay Area, has been studying and practicing tai chi for 12 years. For six of those years, she has been teaching several styles of tai chi—Tai Chi for Arthritis, the Sun 73, and Yang style. Nancy has studied under three teachers, including Dr. Paul Lam. She has appeared on television as well as in the newspaper in regard to her successful Tai Chi for Arthritis classes.
Dr. Pam Kircher (Durango, CO) is a family physician and hospice doctor. She graduated from Baylor College of Medicine in 1979 in Houston, Texas. Currently, she serves as the medical director of the Wellness Center at Mercy Medical Center in Durango, Colorado. She speaks nationally on integrating complementary medicine into the conventional medical setting as well as end-of-life issues. She has studied Sun Style Tai Chi with Dr. Lam in the United States and in Australia. She currently serves as president of the Tai Chi for Arthritis Assn.
Yanchy Lacska, MA, LP, EdS (Hudson, WI) is a licensed psychologist and educator. He is an adjunct professor at Northwestern Health Sciences University’s College of Oriental Medicine and in the graduate school at Hamline University. He is a member of the International Association for Conflict Management. His innovative work earned him a place in Who’s Who in American Education. He has studied self-defense for over 30 years, tai chi and qigong for 20 years. He studied conflict management through the Harvard Negotiation Program. He has studied with Master Gin Foon Mark, Dr. Hong Liu, Dr. Ma Xuzhou and Dr. Paul Lam. Yanchy is currently working on a doctorate in natural health.
Pat Lawson, (Stuart, FL) left her career in University Financial Aid Administration to raise her children, continuing her avocational pursuit of martial arts (since 1972) through Horan Judo, Kyokushinkai karate, and kung fu. She has practiced tai chi since 1991, and is the owner and Chief Instructor of Better Health Tai Chi Chuan in Stuart, Florida. Pat has been working with Paul Lam since 1999 and is currently a Master Trainer to share his programs with others. She serves as the TCAA secretary.
Dr. Stephanie Taylor (Monterey, CA) is a physician specializing in women's health care. She is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology, and has taken additional certifications in menopause and Holistic Medicine. She is a Master Trainer in Tai Chi for Arthritis, and is experienced in Aikido and qigong.
Troyce Thome (San Clemente, CA) has been teaching tai chi at Saddleback College for the last 7 years, and is the academic advisor for the Eastern Arts Club, which hosted Dr. Paul Lam for one of his early visits to the USA. Since then, she has hosted and presented several TCA workshops in the USA and continues to train with Dr. Lam and his senior instructors in Sydney, Australia each year.
Jay Van Schelt (Avon, CT) is the president and CEO of InnerChi Methods and Systems and founder of the InnerChi Mind/Body Institute. He’s a co-author of the 4 Steps to Wellness transformative relaxation program and a 6th degree black belt Master Instructor of Shaolin Kempo karate. His 20 years of tai chi experience include the Cheng Man Ching form, the Beijing 24 and 42, and the Sun 73, sword and push hands. Jay is the current VP of TCAA.
Professor Vincent D, McCullough (Mission Viejo, CA) is Master Trainer Emeritus. He is the former chairman of the Department of Physical Education at Saddleback College and has been teaching yoga and tai chi at the College for over 30 years.
back to the top
GETTING INSURED THE EASY WAY
Don’t be caught with your---oh, never mind! TCAA has managed to line up an insurance package, especially designed for our members. It’s 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. One neat feature, for example. is that if you teach for under five hours a week and aren’t the direct lessee, you receive a lower insurance rate.
For information, contact: Rick Felix at the Fitness and Wellness Insurance Agency, 800-395-8075, ext. 133. You can email him at rfelix@fitnessandwellness.com. Or check out their website, www.fitnessandwellness.com. Remember, you must be a member of TCAA (see accompanying article) to get this insurance.
back to the top
BOOK REVIEW: OVERCOMING ARTHRITIS
By Caroline Demoise, M.A.
Overcoming Arthritis by Dr. Paul Lam and Judith Horstman is a “must read” for anyone with arthritis. This comprehensive look at medical treatments, nutrition and exercise invites those with arthritis to work with their physicians to create the best quality of life possible. Readers will find inspiration and hope in these pages as they meet one of the authors, who for 25 years after being diagnosed with osteoarthritis, has maintained a good quality of life through the daily practice of Tai Chi.
A real plus in this book are the clear and simple explanations of the common forms of arthritis along with the traditional medical treatments and the self-help guidance for healthy diet and safe, simple exercise.
The Tai Chi for Arthritis program, created by Dr. Lam, is beautifully described and illustrated. Although he recommends finding a good teacher, the reader, while looking for one, can at least begin the qigong exercises and Tai Chi movements. Overcoming Arthritis offers ideas on how to find an appropriate teacher, and lists appropriate references books, videos, websites and organizations.
This book clearly makes the point that while there’s no cure for arthritis, the reader can surely influence his or her quality of life. Overcoming Arthritis was written to educate and empower those with arthritis to live life to the fullest. It accomplishes that purpose.
Click here to buy the book online.
back to the top
ENTER
THE CONTEST!
You could be a winner. No, you won’t win money. And no, you won’t win a prize. But prestige? That’s for sure.
We’re looking for your tai chi stories to publish in The Voice of TCAA. If you have an inspirational experience, a humorous happening, or even a practical tip, please share it with us. Write about 250 to 300 words or less and email your story to Nancy Kieffer, nkieffer@astound.net. We won’t guarantee we’ll publish it but we’ll try.
Deadline for next issue: September 15.
back to the top
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
July 26-27 Tai Chi from the Arthritis Foundation; San Antonio, TX by Nancy Kieffer <nkieffer@astound.net>
August 23 Tai Chi from the Arthritis Foundation, Part II; Michigan by Dan Jones <djones@senate.michigan.gov>
Sept. 18–19 Tai Chi from the Arthritis Foundation; Peoria, IL by Caroline Demoise <taichi@frontier.net>
Sept. 20–21 Tai Chi for Arthritis for Instructors; Part I & Part II; Santa Rosa, CA by Nancy Kieffer
<nkieffer@astound.net>
Sept. 27-28 Tai Chi for Arthritis for Instructors, Update/Part II; Lansing, MI by Dan Jones <djones@senate.michigan.gov>
Oct. 4–5 Tai Chi from the Arthritis Foundation; Ft. Myers, FL by Caroline Demoise <taichi@frontier.net>
Oct. 18–19 Tai Chi for Diabetes; Jupiter, Florida by Dr. Paul Lam <taichiproductions.com>
Oct. 18–19 Tai Chi for Arthritis for Instructors; Lansing, MI by Dan Jones
<djones@senate.michigan.gov>
Oct. 25–26 Tai Chi for Diabetes; Monterey, CA by Dr. Paul Lam <taichiproductions.com>
And looking ahead…
June 20–27, 2004—A week-long Tai Chi Workshop, Asilomar (Monterey Co.), CA by Dr. Paul Lam and the Tai Chi For Arthritis Assn. <taichiproductions.com>
back to the top
===========================
THE END OF THIS NEWSLETTER
===========================