Dr. Lam with some of his students
Update January 2012:
I have just received my newest certification to teach the entire Tai Chi for Arthritis program fully sanctioned by the Arthritis Foundation of America
Millions of people have benefited from Taiji training and yet many have not been able or have not felt able to participate. Now almost anyone can participate in a Taiji program. For years, I have done classes at retirement homes like Roselani Place and Kalama Heights and I had found a way to bring Taiji to those that have a limited range of movement by simplifying the form. Many of my students cannot stand or walk and yet it has been possible for me to share these life-changing arts with them in this way.
Recently Dr. Paul Lam has designed a system specifically for students in this situation and I have received training from one his trainers. I feel this is an excellent program as it allows everyone to learn some Taiji and is fully accredited by the Arthritis Foundation and backed up with medical evidence as to its efficacy. Having this accreditation is important for application to people with “special needs”.
I am pleased to announce that I will be offering this program at Kaunoa in Sprecklesville starting immediately every Wednesday from 1:00 to 2:00 PM. For many new students this will be a boon, finally giving them an opportunity to benefit from Taiji. If you have been holding back because you have felt unable to join before, now is the time to check it out. In addition, for existing students, please tell your friends about this new program it is so simple they can even participate while sitting down.
This program uses a very simplified set of Qigong movements and Taiji form. Derived from the “Sun” (pronounced “soon”) Style it roughly follows the same structure as the Yang style and a beginner could easily learn this style and then segue into Yang Style later. Frankly, I enjoy doing this form as it is performed very slowly and with a minimal amount of stepping which gives it a feeling almost similar to zhan zhuang training. Proponents of zhan zhuang like Fong Ha and those of you that attended my workshop with him will understand what I am saying.
This program is not intended to replace any of my other training options. I feel Yang Style is still the best for most people and I would not recommend you give up on that practice. Still, my heart goes out to those that up until now have not been able to do my regular classes, and so, at last I have a sanctioned option for those people to discover the wonders of Taiji.
For more information about this program click: Tai Chi for Arthritis
Taiji on Maui 