Tai Chi for Health

01/09/2025

Empower People to Better Health and Wellness | Dr Lam Tai Chi and Health Newsletter (September 2025) - https://mailchi.mp/tchi/dr-paul-lam-tai-chi-for-health-newsletter-sep-2025

20/08/2025

Donnie's Journey
Donald Poling, Senior Trainer, Arizona, USA
Philosopher Lao Tzu said, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” He was not wrong, but my tai chi journey began a bit differently. It started in the summer of 2000 with an accident. I do not remember a lot of it, but was told it was spectacular, flipping over my Harley’s windshield and doing a series of cartwheels down the fast lane of the interstate one early morning while on my way to work.

After I was released from the hospital, I found myself at home, confined to bed for ten weeks, and only allowed standing for bathroom breaks and showers. Once allowed to stand for prolonged periods, I was hobbled by crutches for another month, and then a cane for several more. The stake through my heart was I had been proscribed blood-thinners.

I have always led an active life; grew up hunting and hiking, Shaolin kung fu student since seventeen, career military officer, solo backpacking in my beloved Rincon Mountains, Senior Olympic gold medals in power lifting, and anything outdoorsy. It all seemed a distant memory as I gained weight, lost balance, range of motion, and flexibility. I was trapped. Worse still, I was becoming depressed. I needed to find a path forward.

That path came when I was finally allowed to stop taking blood-thinners and thought I would return to kung fu. Unfortunately, that direction was blocked because my 63-year-old body just wasn’t up to the challenge. Luckily, a close friend thought I might benefit from the tai chi class taught at the local library. Best of all, it was free.

I took that first tai chi step in 2001. It was a few months later in my journey that I discovered Dr Lam’s Tai Chi for Health Programs, and as it is said, “The rest is history.” For me, though, it was historic. Within months I regained balance, flexibility, and range of motion. I was once again hiking among the Ponderosa pines. I bought a new Harley. My weight was controlled and most importantly, my positive outlook on life and the future returned.

I practiced, took more classes, and seeing what Dr Lam’s program had done for me, I decided to become an instructor. Sharing with others the tai chi that had helped me became even more important. The first forms for fall prevention and arthritis soon led to learning the seated forms. It was not long until I learned the Sun 73 forms and became a Senior Trainer. It was still not enough. Looking for more, I played the Energy forms which led to learning the Chen 36.

I am still refining and working to improve. When struggling with one of the Chen 36 forms, I was reminded of something a very wise mentor told me. He said, “Perfection is unattainable, but through practice, improvement is inevitable.” So, I practice often and pray I improve. I also thank Dr Lam for giving me support and direction on my journey to better health and happiness. I am in this for the long haul. That motorcycle accident, instead of holding me back, put me on the path to better health and happiness. In the end, it turned out to be a blessing.

17/08/2025

Letter to Dr Lam: New Beginnings in the UK
Philip K**s, Master Trainer, Belgium

On the weekend of July 12–13, I had the honour of leading my first Tai Chi for Arthritis and Falls Prevention (TCAFP) workshop in Nottingham, UK, as a newly appointed Master Trainer. It was a wonderful and inspiring event, made even more special thanks to the support of Certified Instructors Julie Barker and Jane Gordon. Their help and dedication played a key role in the smooth running and success of the workshop.

We had a group of 14 enthusiastic participants. Some were new to Tai Chi but came well prepared through their SIPP lessons, while others had many years of experience. This mix created a dynamic and enriching learning environment. Because we had two full days together, there was ample time not only to deepen our practice, but also to connect on a personal level. The warm and relaxed atmosphere allowed everyone to grow, share, and enjoy the journey together.

At the end of the weekend, we received very positive feedback, which left me with a deep sense of gratitude and joy. I’m truly happy I took the step to become a Master Trainer. Not only has it greatly improved my own Tai Chi practice, but during my time in Australia, I had the chance to build meaningful connections with like-minded people from around the world. Now, by leading workshops for the Institute, I continue to meet inspiring new people and contribute to spreading Dr Lam’s vision across Europe.

Thank you, Dr Lam, for your ongoing inspiration and support. I’ve already spoken with several people in the UK who would be absolutely delighted to welcome you in person for a future visit or workshop — hopefully not too far in the future, as many would love the opportunity to learn directly from you.

I also asked Julie to share her experience of the weekend with us, and she kindly agreed. She also took some beautiful photos during the workshop, which she will be sharing as well.

15/08/2025

48 Years of Tai Chi Journey in 3 Canvases
Moving to the new office prompts me to decorate the wall with the nearly 50 years of tai chi journey, with photos. Also record a video explaining the photos and the history of them. From beginning of a spark to great flame that has risen to empowering millions of people to improve health and wellness. The photos and video of Dr Lam and his colleagues' near 50 years tai chi journey.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCwR5KWTaew

14/08/2025

Extending Early Bird Discount / Dr Lam Workshop Notification Email - https://mailchi.mp/onlinetaichilessons/2025-06-wne-5484051

12/08/2025

Agewell Tai Chi Instructors Honored at the Governor’s Awards for Service & Volunteerism
Patricia FitzGerald, Instructor, Volunteer Agewell Program Advisor

Southern Maine Agency on Aging’s (SMAA) Agewell Tai Chi Instructors were honored at the Maine Governor’s Awards for Service & Volunteerism with Exemplary Recognition as an Outstanding Volunteer Team who committed significant time and effort to improving the life of individuals or the community through volunteer service.

The Tai Chi team includes 19 volunteers; who gave over 3,200 hours of service in the past year. Each instructor co-taught 2-3 10-week classes during the year. They also supported agency staff with outreach and marketing, helped source new class locations, mentored new instructors; and created a safe, supportive environment for participants.

The program is coordinated by volunteers Barbara Bock and Patricia FitzGerald, who set up the classes, monitor program fidelity, recruit instructors, ensure instructor certification and training, and build volunteer team spirit, as well as teaching classes.

The award stated that the team exemplifies the true spirit of volunteerism and that their efforts to promote the physical and mental wellbeing of older adults have made a lasting impact.

09/08/2025

This month marks the 4th anniversary of the TCHI Instructors Forums.

In this month's Forum (August), we explored how tai chi relieves stress and manages anxiety. My colleagues, Master Trainer and retired family physician Dr Janet Cromb, and Dr Amatullah Bahaziq, a Doctor of Psychology, share their views and the great outcome of tai chi’s health benefits.

𝗗𝗿 𝗟𝗮𝗺'𝘀 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗶 𝗖𝗵𝗶 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 - 𝗕𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻 (𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱)

➡️ Click to Read More:

This month marks the 4th anniversary of the TCHI Instructors Forums. The first one started in August 2021. The isolation from the pandemic brought good things too; We found new ways to share tai chi. As more of you are subscribing to my Online Tai Chi Lessons, there are even more reasons to use this...

07/08/2025

Tai Chi and the Power of Self-Compassion
Rani Hughes, Master Trainer and Occupational Therapist, Melbourne, Australia

Over the years, I have met countless people who practice and teach tai chi. It’s always inspiring to see how committed and generous tai chi teachers are with their energy. We give of ourselves physically, emotionally, and psychologically. But here’s the catch: if we teach unskillfully, all that giving can leave us feeling depleted, even burned out. On the other hand, when we approach teaching with wisdom and balance, it becomes a deeply rewarding and uplifting experience — one that benefits both teacher and student.

That’s why I want to share some reflections on the concept of self-compassion, and how it can help us teach and live more sustainably.

Empathy vs. Compassion
First, it’s worth understanding an important distinction: empathy and compassion. These two are often confused, but they are quite different — and the difference matters.

Empathy is the ability to see someone’s struggle and sit with them in it. It’s about being with someone in their pain. This is a beautiful human quality, but it comes with a cost. Neuroscience shows us that when we empathise deeply, the areas of our brain that register fear, pain, and suffering are activated, thanks to our mirror neurons. In other words, we feel what they feel. While that’s powerful, it can also be a burden — and over time, it can lead to emotional exhaustion, what some call “compassion fatigue.”

Compassion, on the other hand, takes it a step further. Compassion arises when we see someone suffering and feel motivated to help, to heal. It’s about action. Compassion is vast, renewable, and actually strengthens our resilience rather than depleting it.

When we see this difference clearly, we can begin to shift our internal framework from empathy to compassion — for others and, crucially, for ourselves.

Turning Compassion Inward
This is where self-compassion comes in. Dr. Kristin Neff, a pioneer in this field and associate professor at the University of Texas at Austin, describes self-compassion simply as turning our compassion inward. She identifies three core elements of self-compassion:
Mindfulness — noticing and acknowledging our own stress, pain, or difficulty.
Self-kindness — responding to ourselves with care and understanding, rather than harsh self-criticism.
Common humanity — recognising that suffering and struggle are part of being human; they happen to everyone, not just to me.
Practicing self-compassion helps us hold space for others without depleting ourselves. It makes teaching and caregiving more sustainable and joyful.

A Practical Example
Let’s bring this into the context of a tai chi class.
Imagine you’re teaching a class, and one of your students shares that their partner has just had a fall and is now in hospital. They recount the distressing experience of finding their partner on the floor, calling the ambulance, and waiting for help. Naturally, as a teacher, you feel their pain and want to support them. But how do you hold their story without becoming overwhelmed yourself?

This is a perfect opportunity to practice Dr. Neff’s self-compassion model:
Mindfulness: Pause and notice how you’re feeling. Perhaps you say to yourself: “I’ve heard many sad stories this week in my classes.”
Self-kindness: Ask yourself: “What do I need right now to take care of myself?” Maybe it’s a moment of deep breathing, or a quiet cup of tea after class.
Common humanity: Remind yourself: “Hearing sad stories is hard for everyone. I’m not alone in finding this challenging.”
This simple internal process can help you stay grounded and present — able to support your student from a place of compassion, not overwhelm.

An Invitation
As you step into your next tai chi class, I invite you to check in with yourself. Are you teaching from a place of empathy or of compassion? Are you noticing and caring for your own needs as well as those of your students?

By cultivating self-compassion, you create a more sustainable and joyful teaching practice — one where both you and your students can flourish.

If you’d like to explore this further, I offer Zoom tai chi classes where I teach from this foundation of compassion. It has been my privilege to teach hundreds of students across Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Hong Kong, and India, and I continue to be inspired by the way tai chi helps us care for ourselves as we care for others.

Wishing you peace and kindness — both inward and outward — in your tai chi journey.

Rani Hughes is an occupational therapist and Tai Chi for Health Master Trainer. She has taught tai chi to hundreds of people across Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Hong Kong, and India. For more information about her online classes, please get in touch. ranihughes@gmail.com

06/08/2025

Sorry, wrong link re last email_I receive an email ... - https://mailchi.mp/onlinetaichilessons/dr-paul-lam-tai-chi-for-health-newsletter-aug-5484041

06/08/2025

I receive an email from Limelight, an Australian digital and print magazine focusing on music, arts and culture. - https://mailchi.mp/onlinetaichilessons/dr-paul-lam-tai-chi-for-health-newsletter-aug-5484040

05/08/2025

The TCHI Instructor's Forum (August 2025) How Tai Chi Relieves Stress and Manages Anxiety. Presented by:
- Dr Janet Cromb
- Dr Amatullah Bahaziq
- Dr Paul Lam
Full Video Below:

Today’s forum in on the 3rd of August, the very first one was on 1st of August 2021. This the 4th Year Anniversary! We started it because of the isolation fr...

31/07/2025

Tai Chi and the Power of Self-Compassion | Dr Lam Tai Chi and Health Newsletter (August 2025) - https://mailchi.mp/tchi/dr-paul-lam-tai-chi-for-health-newsletter-aug-2025