Teaching Tai Chi Effectively

by Paul Lam

Dr Paul Lam, Family Physician and Tai Chi Master combined his traditional tai chi training with scientific research to develop a unique teaching system that will help teachers become more effective and help students enjoy and improve their tai chi. Using real life examples to illustrate his ideas, Dr Lam analyses what makes an effective teacher, what to look for in a teacher and how to find a teacher for the individual learning styles. He describes the easy to learn teaching system, "" Stepwise Progressive Teaching Method"", t; That he has developed over the last 20 years, gives practical advice on how to format tai chi classes as well as how to teach tai chi safely. Many tai chi books have been written, but never has a Tai Chi Master written a book on how to teach Tai Chi; this is a first for the tai chi world and should be read by teacher and student alike !

222 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Dr Paul Lam, an Australian family physician and tai chi expert, is a world leader in the field of tai chi for health improvement. He has trained thousands of instructors all over the world. You can find your closest Master Trainer to you on his website www.taichiforhealthinstitute.org His Tai Chi for Health programs are easy to learn and effective for all ages and abilities, including people with chronic conditions. Over five million people enjoy the benefits of his programs. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (www.CDC.gov) recommend his Tai Chi for Arthritis program for fall prevention, Arthritis Foundations around the world including that of USA, Australia, Singapore and UK support his programs.

Dr Lam is the author of Overcoming Arthritis, Tai Chi for Beginners and the 24 Forms, Tai Chi for Diabetes and Teaching Tai Chi Effectively. He has produced many best-selling instructional tai chi DVDs. Dr Lam has conducted research studies into the positive effects of tai chi on health and chronic conditions. His autobiography "Born Strong" was published in early 2015.

Reviews

[Paul Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

What is it about many books on Tai Chi that promise so much but deliver so little? Lam offers insight and caution, wisdom and methodology, but his essential ideas of safety and pacing could be said in a single chapter. I have the greatest of respect for the man and what he's done for the tai chi community, but he needs a editor.

[Kerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great foundation for teaching tai chi effectively. There are many redundancies in the book, but that happens when driving a point home!

[Jenifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a beginning Tai Chi instructor I found this book to be very helpful. Dr. Lam has a humble and gentle attitude of sharing his knowledge that I hope to emulate. This book is clearly and simply presented and I would love to read it again after I have a little more experience under my belt. I'll bet I would learn stuff I didn't even notice this time. As for now, there are several ideas I can't wait to implement in my classes.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great teaching tool. The principles in this book can be applied to teaching any skill... for instance cooking, crocheting, knitting... as well as in a school setting; math algorythims, reading, writing.
Well done!

[Sherie K Christensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has true principles that would help in teaching anything, though it is focused on using Dr. Lam's tai chi teaching programs.

[Larry Marquardt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Lam is one of the best exemplars of what was once termed 'East West Medicine' in my opinion. While much of his educational psychology has been superceded, it is still an essential 'scaffolding' method and the book has a lot to offer an aspiring Tai Chi instructor.