T’ai Chi Teacher Training and Certification
As T’ai Chi becomes more popular in America, I have seen a surge of new “training and certification” programs for T’ai Chi teachers. Some of these will give you a certificaiton in a weekend. Some of these are written by people who have no real depth of T’ai Chi knowledge. One of the most popular programs has been imported to the US from a teacher in Australia.
I believe we can do better. I believe we must do better. So I am offering a comprehensive certification and training program. It is rigorous and thorough, but is designed to be accessible to interested T’ai Chi students anywhere in the country. The program makes use of modern technology, along with face to face instruction.
The first month’s tuition is $299. For this you get your own personal interactive web page, your first month of week by week instruction, and your own personal Flip video camera. After that your tuition is $99/month until the module is complete and you pass your certification exams. Your lessons will come as multi-media presentations, using writtten instructions, still photos and video. Arrangements will also be made for face to face personal instruction. As you complete each lesson, you’ll video yourself with your Flip camcorder and email it back to me. Then, through a process of critique, self-adjustment and review, you’ll be checked off on every set of moves. Since the modules are self-paced, you can stop whenever you want.
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White Belt – Certified T’ai Chi Instructor Level One (avg. 4 months)
This is for people who have just begun their study of T’ai Chi, but have already been called upon or moved to teach others. Common examples might be fitness instructions, or people who work in hospitals, senior care, arthritis or rehab centers.
The format learned in this level is called “Flow Motion — the Simplified T’ai Chi Workout.” No routine is specifically taught, so the emphasis is not on memorizing choreography, but rather on practicing the correct inner structure of the movements — the basic hand movements with proper body turn and eye focus; and basic footwork to teach proper foot, knee and hip alignment, all for maximum health and fitness value — and to lay a solid foundation of T’ai Chi skill.
Syllabus:
- Intro to T’ai Chi History and Philosophy
- Intro to T’ai Chi terminology and movement theory
- Four Basic Stepping Drills (the key to all future T’ai Chi)
- Flow Motion
- Structure of the basic patterns
- Breakdown of 25 hand patterns
- Breakdown of 10 simple step patterns
- Sample Sequences
- Must pass written and performance tests
Blue Belt – Certified T’ai Chi Instructor Level Two (avg. 6 months)
The Blue Belt certification is for peole who have been teaching Flow Motion, and feel like they want to pursue their understanding both of teaching and of T’ai Chi. In this level of certification, you will learn your first basic routine — the 10 step beginners’ form, and the 8 Pieces of Brocade (a very popular traditional Qigong routine). Important to note here: to complete this level and all subsequent certifications, one much provide proof that you are currently teaching the minimum required number of hours per week.
Syllabus:
- Intro to Principles of Teaching
- The T’ai Chi Principles of “Power”
- 8 Pieces of Brocade Qigong routine
- T’ai Chi 10 Step form (Yang style)
- Teach at least 1 hour per week
- Must pass written and performance tests
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Red Belt – Certified T’ai Chi Instructor Level Three (avg. 1 year)
Syllabus:
- The T’ai Chi Principles of “Flow”
- The T’ai Chi Principles of “Freedom”
- T’ai Chi Simplified 24 Step form (Yang style)
- Intro to Push Hands
- Teach at least 2 hours per week
- Host at least one seminar
- Must pass written and performance tests
Brown Belt – Certified T’ai Chi Instructor Level Four (avg. 1 year)
Syllabus:
- Advanced Teaching Principles
- T’ai Chi Sword 32 Step form (Yang style)
- Advanced Push Hands
- Teach at least 4 hours per week
- Host at least two seminars
- Must pass written and performance tests
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Black Belt – Certified T’ai Chi Teacher
Syllabus:
- T’ai Chi Combined 42 Step form
- Teach at least 4 hours per week
- Must have participated in at least 2 competitions
- Host at least two seminars