Tai Chi for Health Institute

Dr. Lam Tai Chi for Health Institute

Tai Chi for Health Institute Logo

Tai Chi for Health Institute
https://taichiforhealthinstitute.org

The Tai Chi for Health Institute is the organization for which I am a Master Trainer.  Dr. Paul Lam, whose photograph you see, is the Founder and Director of the Tai Chi for Health Institute.  The following information is a summary of who we are.  Please visit the link above for more detailed information.

What We Do:
Our primary focus is to train safe and effective instructors for the program.

Our Mission:
• To train effective and safe teachers of the Tai Chi for Health programs
• To develop effective programs though research and development
• To make the world aware of tai chi as a modality which promotes health

To make the world aware of tai chi as a modality that promotes health involves:
1) Collaborating with other organizations such as the Arthritis Foundation
2) Serving as a resource for health policymakers, academics, and development practitioners including journalists, teachers, youth and civic leaders
3) Targeting universities, key organizations and work sites for instructor workshops
4) Obtaining accreditation for CEUs for instructors taking the workshops

Providing support to the missions includes:
1) Keeping a data base for all students utilizing the Tai Chi for Health programs
2) Keeping a data base on all research in tai chi for health
3) Creating a speakers bureau and PowerPoint presentations to increase knowledge of Tai Chi for Health programs and their benefits

Programs
Dr. Lam and his team of tai chi and medical specialists have produced an instructional DVD for every one of the Tai Chi for Health Programs. Using them is almost like being in one of Dr. Lam’s classes. Another good way to learn tai chi is to attend one of the classes by his authorized instructors and use the DVD to supplement the lessons.
• If you have a chronic condition such as arthritis or diabetes, see below.
• If your reason for learning tai chi is to strengthen your body and improve your mental balance – see Dr. Lam’s recommendations.

Please find Certified Instructors by clicking this link on TCHI website https://taichiforhealthinstitute.org/instructors/

More detailed answers of what program suits you best?
If you have:
• Arthritis, fibromyalgia, MS or similar condition, asthma/bronchiectasis or if you have had a stroke – Dr. Lam recommends the Tai Chi for Arthritis program. It is supported by Arthritis Foundations worldwide; shown by many medical studies to reduces falls, alleviate pain, improves quality of life better lung capacity.
• Poor balance and want to prevent falls and improve balance and health – Dr. Lam recommends the Tai Chi for Arthritis too since it contains a fall prevention program as does the Centers of Disease Control and Preventions (www.cdc.gov) recommends it.
• A stroke, heart disease, injury, surgical procedure or tiredness and stress – Dr. Lam recommends the Tai Chi for Rehabilitation program because it is very healing and anyone can learn it.
• Diabetes, heart-related conditions – Dr. Lam recommends the Tai Chi for Diabetes program. It is supported by Diabetes Australia.
• Osteoporosis – Dr. Lam recommends the Tai Chi for Osteoporosis program. It is supported by Osteoporosis Australia
• Back pain, or a weakening condition like chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia – Dr. Lam recommends the Tai Chi for Rehabilitation program
• To de-stress or relieve depression – Dr. Lam recommends the Tai Chi at Work or Tai Chi for Rehabilition

What is a Board Certified Instructor?
Board certified instructors have attended training workshop(s), completed prior preparation and fulfilled all requirements to be a safe and effective instructors of the respective program. They are registered with the Tai Chi for Health Institute and they are required to have first aid or CPR or equivalent qualifications and must regularly update their skills.

What is a Senior Trainer?
A Senior Trainer (ST) is an individual who is trained and authorized by Dr. Lam Tai Chi for Health Institute to conduct regional instructor practice sessions, assist and work with Master Trainers (MTs) in all matters relating to Tai Chi for Health programs, maintain communications with a group of instructors and continues to upgrade the skills of those instructors.

What is a Master Trainer?
A Master Trainer (MT) is a individual who is trained and authorized by Dr. Lam Tai Chi for Health Institute to train and certify instructors.

Welcome to Tai Chi for Living!

Welcome to Tai Chi for Living

Life is not measured by the amount of breaths we take 
But by the amount of things that take our breath away

Everything exists while benefiting and reflecting each other
Switching between hardness and softness That is TAI JI

Welcome to Tai Chi for Living! The following includes information about Tai Chi and its benefits, the styles of Tai Chi, its essential principles and what is Qigong. I hope you find this information interesting and helpful as you practice Tai Chi and Qigong.  If you have any questions please leave a comment.

What is Tai Chi? (also written T’ai chi, Taiji, Tai Chi Chuan)
Tai Chi originated from ancient China. It is originally a form of self-defense. It is now practiced throughout the world as an exercise for better health. Many scientific studies have proven that it is effective for health benefits.

Tai chi is
• suitable for almost anyone
• relieves pain and improves quality of life for people with arthritis
• relieves stress and improves concentration
• integrates body and mind
• increases flexibility, improves balance, fall prevention

Styles of Tai Chi:
Chen, (oldest) Yang (most popular in world), Wu Hao (more popular in Asia)
Sun (youngest style developed by Sun Lutang 1861-1932)

Six Essential Tai Chi Principles:
Outward Movements: Do movements slowly without stopping (like water flowing in a river)
Resistance: Imagine you’re moving against resistance (moving against dense air)
Weight Transference: Be conscious of weight transference
Posture: Maintain an upright posture and body alignment
Song (relax and open): Loosen or “song” your joints (relax and gently stretch joints from within)
Jing (focus): Focus on movements (breathing, balance, body alignment, avoid distractions)

What is Qigong?
Qigong or chi kung is the philosophy and practice of aligning breath, movement, and awareness for health of mind, body, and spirit.
Qigong breathing exercises: Diaphragmatic breathing, abdominal breathing, belly breathing or deep breathing is the act of breathing done by expanding one’s belly and thereby allowing the diaphragm to move down creating more room for the lungs to expand, rather than only through chest wall expansion/ movement of the rib cage.