Tai Chi Vermont Instructors’ Manual Revised April 2023 www.taichivermont.org

Introduction & Welcome
Thank you for taking on the joys and responsibilities of teaching Tai Chi. We welcome you to our Vermont Tai Chi family and will support you in every way we can. By sharing the physical, mental, and social benefits of Tai Chi with others you are contributing to your community. When you first begin teaching you may have some doubts about your abilities, skills, and knowledge. People in your classes may ask questions you can't answer. Or you may encounter people who doubt that you can teach Tai Chi after attending a two-day workshop. We hope the guidelines provided here will help you deal with those situations as well as understand the teaching, certification, and mentoring system(s) we have developed.

This set of guidelines is brief, and highlights only certain important points. You will add to your knowledge through Training Workshops, Skillbuilder Workshops, Enrichment Workshops, conversations with other instructors, reading, and practicing on your own.

What is Tai Chi Vermont? Tai Chi Vermont, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization incorporated in the state of Vermont (www.taichivermont.org). Our mission is to train, certify, and mentor instructors who can lead safe and effective Tai Chi classes for residents throughout the state. Our Board of Directors works collaboratively to set teaching and certification standards, create policies, manage a budget and provide workshops. Tai Chi Vermont works with the
five Agencies on Aging and SASH (Support and Services at Home) to plan certification trainings.

These agencies are willing to pay tuition for people to be trained who will then teach a certain number of courses under their auspices without
charging participants. Of course, once trained an individual can also charge for classes beyond those offered through the agencies. Some individuals prefer to remain “independent” of an agency and pay their own tuition for workshops.

Tai Chi Vermont has five Trainers who run our training workshops.

Anne Bower
Ellie Hayes
Marty Kidder
Laurie Knauer
Suzanne Lemire

Fall Prevention Tai Chi
Most of us begin our instructor training with Fall Prevention Tai Chi. It’s derived from Sun style and has distinctive ”follow steps,” not found in other forms. Additionally, it incorporates qigong deep breathing.Some people prefer to use the title “Sun Style Short Form” or “Introduction to Tai Chi” or “Beginning Tai Chi.” All those names are fine, but do let people know that this particular form is designed to highlight movements that help with balance and fall prevention.

At your first trainingworkshop—Level One—you’ll learn movements that keep participants
mostly facing to the front. The second workshop offers training in Level Two, where participants will be turning left and right as they take on moves with more complexity. At the third workshop we work on Level Three, which includes movements to both sides as well as to the back of the room. This is the most challenging level. Each certification is good for two years and always recertifies your prior certification in the level below the one you’re studying.

Level One
Commencement, Open and Close,Single Whip, Wave Hands in Clouds, Closing.

Level Two
Brush Knee, Play the Lute,Parry and Punch, Carry the Tiger, Push the Mountain.

Level Three
Leisurely Tying the Coat,Diagonal Single Whip, Punch under Elbow, Repulse Monkey, Apparent Closing Up, Push the
Mountain.

Tai Chi derives from martial arts first practiced in China more than 800 year ago. Over the centuries various styles of Tai Chi evolved. You may hear reference to Yang Long Form, Sun 73, Chen 36, Yang 24 and others. Each has its own characteristics and sequence of movements. To become masterful in teaching traditional Tai Chi styles (Yang long form, Yang 24 forms, Sun 73, Chen 36, etc.) requires years of study, with lots of dedication,
motivation, and a great deal of practice. But we have found it is possible to become an effective and safe instructor of shorter Tai Chi forms by
learning different segments of the form in separate workshops with teaching practice and mentoring in between each of those workshops.3

Why is this form calledFalls Prevention Tai Chi (although it can be called by other names)?
One of the greatest problems among Vermont seniors is accidental falls. Every year one out of three Vermonters (and this is pretty much true across the nation) takes aserious fall. The costs are huge—not only to the individual but to her/his family and community and to our public health system. A shocking number of people even die from falls and the complications resulting from falls . Numerous studies have found thatTai Chi is one of the best forms of exercise for improving balance and reducing falls. Sun style is particularly well-suited for working with older people who wish to improve their balance as it is more upright and uses smaller steps. The Centers for DiseaseControl and Injury Prevention (CDC), the Administration on Community Living (ACL) and the National Council on Aging (NCOA) have recognized Tai Chi for Arthritis—the same form we use but call Fall Prevention Tai Ch--as among the highest tier of most effective falls prevention programs for older adults.

The movements you will learn and teach emphasize:
-Deliberate weight transference
-Healthy posture
-Relaxed breathing
-Body awareness
-Use of "follow steps" which improve balance and agility

How to get the most out of yourTraining Workshops
Each time you register for a training workshop, yoube sent videos that help you learn/review the tai chi movements and our fundamental exercises (a set of gentle exercises that we use at the beginning ofeach class). Since the actual training workshops are only two days long, it’s imperative that you work as much as possible beforehand to become comfortable with the form’s movements. If you can attend a class taught by one of our certified instructors, that is also a great way to prepare for a training workshop and for becoming an instructor yourself.

During the two-day in-person training, we not only do lots of practice of the tai chi movements, becoming more and more comfortable with the sequence, but we work on the teaching too. You’ll role play teaching a couple of times and receive feedback to help you improve your teaching method. Discussion sessions explore issues such as providing a safe teaching environment, how to organize your classes, and a bit of tai chi history.
At the end of a trainingworkshopyou receive your certificate. Occasionally, when the Trainers feel an individual isn’t ready to teach on his/her own, they’ll issue a “provisional certificate,” specifying what the person needs to do before that is converted into a full certification.

Once certified we encourage you to begin teaching as soon as possible. When you teach, you learn! New instructors often find that team-teaching or co-teaching is a great way tobegin. Team-teaching really works well for instructors at any level. Remember:If an Area Council on Aging (or SASH) has paid for your certification, the Memo of Understanding you sign with them (it could be called a contract or statement of understanding) obligates you to teach 2 8-week sessions of tai chi per year as a volunteer. (You may teach additional classes and charge for those, if you wish.)

Recertification Requirement
No matter what level a person has reached in his/her training, we require recertification every two years.We also require that between each certification you take at least one skillbuilder workshop to freshen and deepen your skills.

Learning Opportunities
We at Tai Chi Vermont hope that you will become intrigued by and infatuated with the complexand rewarding practice of Tai Chi. You initially will learn just the surface structure of the movements. But you may soon find that you can probe more and more deeply into the mechanics and benefits of this ancient art. We offer you the following suggestions for deepening your practice and improving your teaching:

Skillbuilders: Free Opportunities to Learn, Practice, and Network with your Peers. You are required to take at least one every two years. Some skillbuilders are in person (6 hours) and some are by Zoom (3 hours). At these events we study and refine various movements and work on our teaching skills.

Enrichment Workshops: Most of these are 3-hour Zoom sessions that delve into special areas. They are supported by the Area Agencies on Aging, but “independent” instructors” can pay for them on their own.

Other Learning Opportunities
Because we are a small organization, limited to operating just in Vermont, we can mentor our instructors, answer emails, and assist them in many ways that larger training/certification organizationscannot. We offer specialsummer workshops in various Tai Chi styles, and continually encourage our instructors to take Tai Chi classes with teachers outside our own organization.

Things to Consider when Creating and Teaching Your Class
How Should I Name my Class? Because the short form we teach is based on Sun 73 forms, we could name our classes: Intro to Sun Style Tai Chi, Sun Style-Short Form, Beginner Tai Chi, Fall Prevention Tai Chi. But it’s important to let people know this is an evidence-based program that is especially good for fall prevention.
Those who obtain certification in Sun 73 Forms, use that designation or "Fall Prevention Tai Chi-Long Form."
When certified to teach Yang 24 Forms, few people use any other name for the form.

Publicizing and Marketing
Word of mouth remains the best way others learn about our Tai Chi classes. PLEASE let your Agency on Aging (if affiliated with one of those) know your schedule so they can post it on their website. Advertise your classes and events in local “shopper”newspapers, on listservs, Front Porch Forum, and distribute posters too. A number of occasions provide opportunities to publicize our work:

September is National Fall PreventionAwareness Month a great time to give demonstrations, invite people to observe your classes, or cooperate with physical therapists and medical practitionersputting on special fall prevention sessions.

Chinese New Year (also known as Lunar New Year) , which falls in late January or early February (based on the lunar calendar) can be a wonderful festive cultural and Tai Chi time with decorations, exposure to Chinese New Year traditions, some basic Tai Chi instruction, demonstrations, special foods, etc. A fine time to work with your local library or arts center, senior center or recreation center.

World Tai Chi & Qigong Day, celebrated worldwide on the last Saturday of April, from 10-11 a.m. brings all Tai Chi and qigong practitioners a sense of connection. Weather permitting, our groups try to practice outdoors, with both experienced and inexperienced folks participating. The motto for this gathering is “One World, One Breath.” Some of us, thinking about climate change, have added the words, “One Climate” to that slogan.

Paperwork and Data collection duties vary from one Area Agency on Aging to another, but youdefinitely want to make sure that on day one of class you have everyone sign a release form. This not only releases you from responsibility should anyone have any ill effect from Tai Chi but gives you permission to take and use photos of classparticipants (helpful for publicity sometimes). The release form includes an emergency contact person and way to reach them. Keep the release forms with you during every class you teach.

Creating an email group in advance is helpful so you can contact the class in case of changes to the schedule, emergency cancellations, etc.

Insurance: If you are a volunteer instructor with one of the Agencies on Aging or work for SASH, check with them about insurance—it should cover you and your classes--they can usually provide their policy to the location where you are teaching. Some locations/organizations require additional liability insurance to insure their facility. This can be provided by your sponsoring agency. However, many instructors find it advisable to carry their own personal liability insurance as an additional protection. (Many of us get this through the Philadelphia Insurance Company’s Yoga and Fitness policy.)

If your agency is collecting data about students’ experiences with tai chi and its benefits, please cooperate with them. They will let you know their procedures.

Safety and Room Set-up
Accessibility is key—the parking area must be free of ice and mud, lights outdoors are needed for dark days, and if your class is upstairs or in a lower level, having an elevator can be crucial forsome participants. The room itself should havea level floor-wood or linoleum preferable, low-pile carpet okay. Discuss appropriate foot wear. Lighting needs to be adequate. Heating and ventilation should provide acomfortable environment. Chairs should be available. Remind the class about the importance of hydration and to bring a water bottle. If possible, provide fresh water and cups,
or let people know if adrinking fountain is at hand. Make sure your cellphone works at this location or you have access to a landline; record the
address of your location so you can give it to a 911 dispatcher in case of emergency.

Teaching Method
As we become more and more experienced at teaching Tai Chi, each of us will find and develop our own unique style. However, Tai Chi Vermont will show you and ask you to use the "stepwise progressive method" to provide the underlying and consistent structure for your classes. This method is effective and is validated by research.
>Always demonstrate the whole move you’ll teach. Do so facing the class and in silence. Then you start teaching with your back to the class, just one little piece at a time. When they follow you, your words will help them a lot.
>After a number of practices with just a part of the move you get to turn around and see how things are going. (You might say something like give that a try; or okay—your turn; practice that on your own; give that a whirl; let’s see how that goes for you; etc.)
>Once it seems that most folks have the whole move you’re teaching, practice it multiple times with them (possibly turning the whole group to face a different direction for each round of practice).

Rehearsing the movement you’ll be teaching is smart—pretend you’ve got a class with you at home and go through all the steps of teaching, practicing your verbal cues as well as how you’ll break down the movement.

Basic Principles
A number of basic principles characterize the Sun style of Tai Chi (from which our Fall Prevention Tai Chi is derived). Once your class has learned to link together several of the movements, you can start mentioning these principles, but present them only one at a time, perhaps one every couple of weeks. Otherwise, a new student can become overwhelmed by all she is expected to keep in mind. One suggestion is to try incorporating one of the
principles into the Fundamental Exercises segment of your class.

Of course, in ALL Tai Chi we aim for slow, continuous movement against a gentle resistance.
In addition, we want to focus on:
Posture/alignment—from crown of head through feet, back straight but not rigid, shoulders relaxed, aligning core in direction of weighted foot
Unlocking or opening the joints so that energy radiates from the center outward
Mindfulness—clearing the mind of all distractions

How to Run your Class
Most of us teach in one-hour sessions, always beginning with the Fundamental Exercises. Then the class reviews what has been learned before. Next comes learning or deepening a new move. After that it ishelpful to practice the full form (as the class knows it), incorporating the new or improved move. Class ends with cool-downs and reminders of schedule changes and such. If a class consists of people who have been participating for a while and some who are newcomers, one has to find strategies to keep everyone moving forward. For those who co-teach(which is wonderful), the class can be divided into two sections with one instructor for each. If there isno co-teacher, sometimes the more experienced students can be given
something to practice together while you teach the newer folks a piece of a movement. Then while the newcomers practice their newpiece, you can return to the other people and give them feedback/inspiration. Giving students time to practice on their own can also be fruitful. You can pass among them giving gentle reminders or answering questions.

One of the reasons we recommend that people come to our Skillbuilder workshops is that they can learn so much from other instructors about how to organize classes and keep all your participants movingforward.

Modeling safe ways of moving
Your students rely on you to show them how each movement goes, so you must demonstrate using good form. Practice at home using a mirror to make sure your own posture is upright, that your steps aren't too large, that you are doing the form correctly. Go back to the training videos often to practice and make sure of your movements. This is true whether you're doing the Fundamental Exercises, actual Tai Chi, or cool-downs. Be observant as you watch, listen and sense what is happening in your class. For example, we sometimes find that our class participants copy our gestures in an overly exaggerated or overly large way (Americans have this idea that “bigger is better” but this is NOT true in Tai Chi). If you see that kindof over-expansion remind the class as a whole that Tai Chi is a relaxed form without exaggerated movement and that they will derive more benefit from
keeping the movements a bit smaller.

We never offer a correction to one person—if we see something going amiss we offer the correction to the whole group. This one correction or suggestion is “sandwiched” between an initial compliment (such things as: wow—you folks are making great progress; I like the way
your keeping your steps reasonably small; excellent concentration on everyone’s part; nice work understanding the direction of the move; etc.) and ending with another compliment.

We have a “no touch” policy—this protects you and your class participants from harm. If you want to demonstrate a martial application for a movement, do so with another instructor, NOT a class participant. And always remind participants to make adjustments to suit their own bodies since each person's body is different. Some people have arthritis or still suffer from an old injury, some have other health conditions that limit flexibility or perception. Find multiple ways to remind people to “move within your comfort zone,” “adjust how you turn if needed,” and remind them that pain is NOT gain in Tai Chi. Ask them to let you know if a movement is uncomfortable and help them find an adjusted way to do it that suits that
person's body. This is their Tai Chi, not yours, and they should feel free to make adjustments accordingly.

Remember that you are not a doctor and never offer medical advice of any kind. Your class participants will ask all kinds of things and confide all kinds of things. Resist the urge to offer advice. If they ask a medical question, ask them to see their own health provider. If you offer advice you set yourself up for being responsiblefor their health and could even open yourself up to litigation. Avoid the temptation to play doctor!

Our Trainers
Trainers have years of experience learning Tai Chi forms and teaching. All of our Trainers began their work with our organization as certified instructors, but then decided they were willing to take on more responsibility. In order to become a Trainer, an instructor needs to have been teaching at least two years and be familiar with the Sun 73 forms Tai Chi style. After assisting at a few certification workshops and/or
skillbuilders, an individual may be invitedt o take on the Authorized Trainer role.

Anne Bower
Anne began learning Tai Chi 35 years ago, learning various Yang style forms of Tai Chi. In 2005 she became certified to teach “Tai ChiforArthritis” through the Arthritis Foundation in Columbus, Ohio. Upon retiring from academic life at Ohio State University, she worked for certification in the Tai Chi for Health Institute, becoming a Senior Trainer in 2011. She became certified in many of the short forms the TCHI offers and took week-long trainings in Sun, Yang, and Chen styles. Anne played a key part in the formation of Tai Chi Vermont and currently manages the website and e-newsletter and serves as secretary to the Board of Directors. She is adept at Sun 73, Yang 24, loves Chen 36 and Yang Cane style, and enjoys teaching Fall Prevention Tai Chi. She lives in South Pomfret. Anne is a published poet, many of whose poems relate to Tai Chi.

Ellie Hayes
Ellie began her Tai Chi practice over forty years ago by learning an ancient form: Hua Yu Style Tai Chi. This form is said to predate all the more popular forms (Chen, Yang, Sun, Wu). Ellie's Hua Yu practice eventually evolved to the point that she became a teacher. She has taught this form now for decades. In addition, she has depth of knowledge of Sun 73 forms and years of teaching Fall PreventionTai Chi. She received her initial certification through the Tai Chi for Health Institute but has played a central role since 2015 in helping Tai Chi Vermont grow into a collaborative, productive organization. Ellie is President of Tai Chi Vermont currently and also as liaison with the Northeast Kingdom's Council on
Aging. She is a skilled calligrapher, has studied Chinesel anguage, and is a musician as well. She lives inEast Calais.

Martin Kidder
Marty is a retired naval officer who started taking traditional Tai Chi and qigong classes about 20 years ago and quickly became addicted. He studied with a variety of masters and eventually became a Master Trainer within Dr. Paul Lam's Tai Chi for Health Institute. During that association he ran numerous certification workshops along with teaching his own classes. He was the first to run Certification Workshops in Vermont, starting in 2011. In 2015 Marty broke away from the Tai Chi for Health Institute and began working with Vermont instructors to form Tai Chi Vermont. At present he is the organization’s long range planner. Marty is equally adept at Sun 73, Yang 24, and the Combined 42 forms Tai Chi styles. He has recently dedicated considerable time to learning and teaching Longevity Tree qigong. He currently teaches Fall Prevention Tai Chi and many other forms by Zoom. He lives in Canton, CT but commutes to Vermont for workshops.

Laurie Knauer
With a B.S. in Physical Education from Springfield College, Laurie has been involved in the fitness/wellness world for over 35 years. She began her career at the YMCA in Rahway, New Jersey. In 1980 Laurie and her husband Kevin moved to Vermont to own and operate a general store. Shortly after moving, Laurie got involved with the Castleton Recreation Commission working mainly with adult programming and teaching several fitness classes. She also began teaching as an adjunct faculty member in the Physical Education Department at Castleton University. Her interest in Tai Chi began about 18 years ago when taking an introductory workshop through AAAI/ISMA. Through her work at the Castleton Community Senior Center and being involved in falls prevention programs, Laurie learned of a certification workshop in Burlington and has been involved in Tai Chi Vermont
since its inception. She is Vice-President of Tai Chi Vermont and Liaison to SVCOA.

Suzanne Lemire
Suzanne’s training began with martial arts, including winning a championship in the New England Regional Middle Weight competition(1978). She has been an instructor for the Academy of Moo Gong Do and has also taught Women’s Self Defense Classes throughout the state of Vermont ,and she remains a member of the National Women’s Martial Arts Federation. In 2011 Suzanne became certified in the Tai Chi for Arthritis Program through
Dr. Lam's Tai Chi for Health Institute. Since then she has moved through the various levels of Tai Chi training and is now an Authorized Tai Chi Trainer with Tai Chi Vermont, Inc. She serves on the Board of Directors and is liaison to SASH. She teaches Tai Chi in Burlington, Vermont at the Heineberg Senior Center.

Tai Chi Vermont’s Board of Directors
Anne Bower, Secretary
Jane Douglas, Treasurer
Megan Elberty, Communications Committee
Ellie Hayes, President
Martin Kidder, Long Range Planning
Laurie Knauer, Vice President
Suzanne Lemiire
Sue Rubel
Dyne Sapp

Tai Chi Vermont’s Website:www.taichivermont.org
Phone & Physical address: 802-457-2877
P.O. Box 74, South Pomfret, VT 05067