An Australian family physician, Dr Lam is one of the most experienced and respected tai chi teachers in the world. He has trained more than 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
• 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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.