TCD less important?

[soraya]

Paul

While browsing your MT requirements I noticed that TCD was not on the list of requirements. I do believe however, that TCD has at least as much qi gong components as TCA.

Between every move there is a Sun style open/close hands, moreover it contains 2 challenging movements, Sun toe kick and Yang Grasping Sparrows tail, which however can be modified according to level of comfort. "Cloud hands" and "grasping Sparrow" are the core movements of Yang style, it is said that YCF practiced only these moves after he grew older.

Personally I love the TCD set very much due to the above mentioned reasons and my specialty dealing more with diabetes and cardiovascular. Of course it can be presented to other target groups

What do you think?

[soraya]

Upon scrolling through your newsletter May 2004, not only that I was surprised to find my own article(with typos and grammar errors) but I also was impressed by Pam Kircher's article.

Yes, I went through a learning process through your workshops. Not that I learnt much Tai Chi, not that I don't know extreme safety precautions which are different for arthritis and diabetes. I have both experienced working in diab and arthr units with phys therapists. But I learnt to bridge the gap between myself and the sick people.

I did teach PNF to arthritics and therapeutic dance to diabetics(I'm more familiar with diabetes) but always considered Tai Chi as a martial art. Being an overseas Air Force physician my oldest patient was 55........ However, teaching TCA and TCD to the elderly frail went more smoothly than I expected. And I did teach prior to coming to your workshop. It was like a translator, translating my understanding of Tai Chi into what is fun and helpful for the participants.

Pam also impressed me on her ideas to facilitate(not teach) the Tai Chi instructors and the medical people with no previous Tai Chi to learn from each other. Both bring in their knowledge which can be exchanged and shared in an uncritical, friendly but professional manner. Overcorrecting an absolute faux-pas. Important for the facilitator to interfere when this happens.

What I liked about Pam was the encouragement for a medical person to buddy up with a Tai Chi person and learn from each other. I am fortunate to have experience in both. But it is said that a good manager or facilitator knows how to bring out the strength and talents of the people he/she works with.

Sorry, I should have started a thread about Pam

[Dr. Paul Lam]

TCD of course is just as important, unfortunately i did not have enough time to do as much with it. but i am trying too.

I am overseas so internet access and my time is limited will talk more next week.