Simple and proven methods to make tai chi accessible to everyone

225 Pages & 81 color photos

An Australian family physician, Dr Lam is one of the most experienced and respected tai chi teachers in the world. He has trained over five thousand teachers using his unique teaching system based on more than 30 years’ experience, the latest research relating to learning, tai chi philosophy and medical knowledge. This system, along with his teaching method, has been adopted by tai chi teachers worldwide, resulting in dramatic reductions in drop-out rates and greater student and teacher enjoyment.

Within these pages you will find:

• an analysis of an effective teacher.
• a practical and comprehensive teaching system, illustrated with real life examples.
• a treasure trove of useful teaching tools.

Now revised and updated with a new section designed to guide the teacher working with people of different ages and conditions — from people with arthritis to Parkinson’s to children, pregnant women, older adults and people in the workplace.

“This remarkable book needs to come with a warning: ‘Beware, Dr. Lam’s extraordinary passion for Tai Chi and creating teachers will change you and the world". It could not come at a more opportune time as we search for practical and effective solutions to the epidemic of chronic disease. The role of Tai Chi to influence the course of most if not all chronic diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease has very much come front and center as an important healthcare strategy. Bravo, a new day cometh.” John H. Klippel, M.D., President & CEO, Arthritis Foundation, USA

“Here is wisdom distilled from decades of experience in the art of Tai Chi. Dr. Paul Lam's insights into this art, and its instruction, resonate with profound beauty and simplicity. Through these meditations and their lessons, both the destination and the pathway are illuminated." Vincent Lam, M.D., author of Bloodletting and Miraculous Cures, winner of the 2006 Scotiabank Giller Prize, Toronto, Canada

“Medical research supporting Tai Chi's health benefits has greatly fanned its popularity. A new generation of Tai Chi instructors, armed with both practical and professional skills, is needed to teach this art to an increasingly diverse population. Teaching Tai Chi Effectively is an invaluable resource for new instructors wanting to develop their Tai Chi teaching skills and for seasoned teachers wanting to deepen their craft.” Peter Wayne, Ph.D., Director of Tai Chi and Mind-Body Research Programs, Harvard Medical School

“Dr. Paul Lam’s revised edition of Teaching Tai Chi Effectively presents a systematic collection of comprehensive and practical advice from one of the world’s top Tai Chi experts. This advice is applicable for Tai Chi teachers of all levels, as it covers all aspects of teaching Tai Chi, not only instruction of a class, but also marketing and financing considerations— items which most Tai Chi teachers must handle themselves. Particularly noteworthy is the section on how to differentiate teaching for various types of students: small children, teenagers, pregnant women, people in working setting, and people with chronic conditions and limited mobility. Complimenting the advice are Dr. Lam’s and his certified trainers’ real world experience found in the Teaching Tips, Food for Thought, and My Story snippets. These help the reader to better apply the given advice. This book contains a rich mine field? of knowledge. The American Tai Chi and Qigong Association strongly recommends it to Tai Chi instructors of any level or of any style.” Gary Jiang, President, American Tai Chi and Qigong Association

“I have found Teaching Tai Chi Effectively an excellent teaching resource. It focuses on topics so often neglected in Tai Chi Manuals, such as how to; encourage learner’s confidence, give feedback on performance, work at learner’s? individual pace, and create a positive learning environment.” Dr. Alastair Black, Consultant Psychotherapist, UK

"As a research rheumatologist and having conducted extensive research studies of tai chi for arthritis and related conditions, I know it is of vital importance when teaching tai chi to people with arthritis to do so safely and effectively. Dr Lam is an experienced family physician as well as a tai chi teacher. This book is a must read for teachers who work with older people or people with chronic conditions such as arthritis.” Chenchen Wang, MD, MSc, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA