RMTC Teach Tai Chi Foundations Resource Manual Author: Jenny Harrison 0418 566 216 Teach Tai Chi Foundations 2 Table of Contents Welcome to Tai Chi ........................................................................................................... 5 Student Support and Application of Skills and Knowledge ................................................ 6 Continuing Education Credits (CECs) ................................................................................. 7 Code of Ethical Practice .................................................................................................... 8 Grievance and Appeals Procedure .................................................................................... 8 History of Tai Chi .............................................................................................................. 9 Tai Chi Defined ............................................................................................................... 10 Qigong Defined .............................................................................................................. 11 Standing Meditation ....................................................................................................... 12 Benefits .......................................................................................................................... 13 Terminology and Concepts ............................................................................................. 14 ‘Qi’ (or ‘chi’) ............................................................................................................................ 14 Yin and Yang ........................................................................................................................... 15 Breathing ................................................................................................................................ 15 The Dantians ........................................................................................................................... 16 Pressure Points ....................................................................................................................... 16 The Kua ................................................................................................................................... 17 Correct Tai Chi Posture ................................................................................................... 18 The Six Harmonies .......................................................................................................... 19 Stand Like a Tree (Zhan Zhuang) ..................................................................................... 20 Tai Chi Stances ................................................................................................................ 21 Wuji stance ............................................................................................................................. 21 Bow stance ............................................................................................................................. 21 Horseback riding stance .......................................................................................................... 21 Empty Cat Stance .................................................................................................................... 21 Silk Reeling ..................................................................................................................... 22 Being Professional .......................................................................................................... 24 Scope and Practice for Registered Fitness Professionals .......................................................... 24 Medical Waivers ..................................................................................................................... 24 Orientation and Health Screening ........................................................................................... 25 The Venue .............................................................................................................................. 25 Environmentally Sustainable Work Practices .......................................................................... 25 The Exercises .......................................................................................................................... 26 A Fitter, Healthier Australia ............................................................................................ 27 3 Teaching Effectively ........................................................................................................ 29 The 4 Stages of Learning ......................................................................................................... 29 Styles of Learning .................................................................................................................... 30 Personality Types .................................................................................................................... 30 Engaging Each Student ............................................................................................................ 31 Self-Evaluation ............................................................................................................... 32 Class Basics ..................................................................................................................... 33 The Salute ............................................................................................................................... 33 Music ...................................................................................................................................... 33 Cueing .................................................................................................................................... 34 Teaching Image ....................................................................................................................... 34 Postural Functions of Tai Chi ........................................................................................... 36 For Your Library .............................................................................................................. 37 Other Resources ............................................................................................................. 38 National Institutes of Health – US Department of Health and Human Services – ‘Tai Chi Boosts Immunity to Shingle Virus in Older Adults’ .............................................................................. 39 BBC News: Tai Chi ‘Helps Improve Diabetes ........................................................................... 41 The World’s Largest Fall Prevention Study 2007 ...................................................................... 42 Harvard Medical School Studies, May, 2009 ............................................................................ 43 Tai Chi for Medical Condtions ................................................................................................. 43 The Effect of Tai Chi on Arthritis .............................................................................................. 44 Summary of Research On T'ai Chi Ch'uan ................................................................................ 46 Tai Chi for Health Institute and Tai Chi Association of Australia Submission to the Department of Health, 2013 ....................................................................................................................... 48 References ...................................................................................................................... 55 About the Author ............................................................................................................ 56 4 Welcome to Tai Chi The world of tai chi and qigong is truly an amazing one. It is layer upon layer of learning, understanding, practice, paitence and commitment. This course focusses on the foundations of tai chi, giving you a good grounding in understanding the principles and benefits of this beautiful form of exercise. This Foundation course will introduce you to tai chi and qigong principles and theory. You will learn a number of qigong exercises and tai chi postures and will explore different methods of teaching these to a small group of beginner tai chi students. An effective tai chi shifu (teacher, or ‘skillful person’), can change people’s lives, through inspiring, educating and opening a student’s mind to the holistic benefits of tai chi. The shifu gradually builds upon knowledge and skill level, developing an extensive background in practical tai chi training, a knowledge of its history, its benefits, its forms and its techniques. Practising and instructing tai chi is a lifetime of study which encourages a teaching pedagogy of enquiry, reflection and connectedness that builds gradually, layer upon layer. It is a continuous and enjoyable pursuit of cultivating energy, stillness and balance. The Foundation course is more heavily weighted towards learning the principles of tai chi movement, rather than teaching skills. However, teaching methods such as mirror image, cueing and managing individuals within a group are an intrinsic part of any group exercise programme and as such, are included in this course. This course is designed to be the beginning of your journey into teaching tai chi and it is hoped that at its conclusion