Professional Training Level One

Prerequsite: none

Includes instruction in skills and information required for Certification Levels One and includes the following:

• Supine, sitting and standing exercises

  

Professional Training Level Two

Prerequsite: Level One

Includes instruction in skills and information required for Certification Levels Two and includes the following:

• Movement Patterns (Basic Moves) review of all. See Level One above
• Form Instruction, Section One:
• perform and name all movements of the first section correctly,
• describe rationale for sequence
• demonstrate corrections
• Mind/Body Principles:

  Active Relaxation: centering, stillness in movement. 

  Effective action, mind/body mechanics, spontaneous action moving around obstacles

• Sensing Qi:
• Supine, sitting and standing exercises
• Standing postures, breathing with arm movements only, breathing with full body movement

 

• perform and name all movements of entire form correctly,
• describe rationale for sequence,
• demonstrate corrections

• Mind/Body Principles: Energetics of tai chi

• Sensing Qi:
  • Breathing in coordination with full body movement,
  • Introduction to basic energy points and fields
       

1. Participation in Tai Chi Fundamentals Seminars: 30 contact hours or equivalent
• Attendance at a basic seminar
• Attendance at professional training workshops
• May be fulfilled in part by study with approved teachers
2. Experience in applying the movements therapeutically or in wellness settings
3. Working knowledge of audiovisual and written materials on the Tai Chi Fundamentals program included in the Complete Program Set
4. Familiarity with reviews about the program
5. Accurate Performance of the movements at your chosen certification level

 Movement Testing Evaluation
Part One of the two-part evaluation process requires individual demonstration of proficiency in performance of tai chi movements. It is of critical importance that youare able to correctly model the movements. This interactive portion of the testing is done one-on-one with an evaluator and takes at least 1.5 hours. 

There are four levels of Certification based on Movement Testing :

1. Level One: Movement Patterns/Basic Moves  only
• Demonstrate proficiency in performing all Movement Patterns (also known as Basic Moves)
• Describe guidelines for properly performing each Movement Pattern
• List one or two functional benefits for each Movement Pattern
• Describe rationale for the sequence of movements
• Demonstrate ability to effectively adjust clients into proper alignment
2. Level Two: Movement Patterns/Basic Moves and First Section of the  form
• Complete Level One Testing (described above)
• Demonstrate proficiency in performing and naming moves in Section One of the Tai Chi Fundamental Form
3. Level Three: Entire Program
   • Complete Level Two Testing (described above)
   • Demonstrate proficiency in performing and naming moves of all three sections of the Tai Chi Fundamentals form

Written Exam

Part Two of the evaluation process requires successful completion of an open book written examination demonstrating knowledge of the program.  Upon completion of this exam, you will have created handouts for presentations, group classes and/or patients. The written exam includes the following components:

1. Understanding of the basic history of tai chi
2. Familiarity with research on health effects of tai chi
3. Working knowledge of the Tai Chi Fundamentals Program including
• rationale
• background
• guidelines
• mind/body principles
4. Familiarity with reviews of the Tai Chi Fundamentals Program
5. Description of at least one personal case study applying Tai Chi Fundamentals Movement Patterns

Advanced Levels of Certification

Level Four: Certification Testing Reviewer

• Achieved level Three Certification
• Teach TCF a minimum of 3 year
• Complete Reviewer Training
• Training in Yang Style tai chi
• Recommendation by Tricia Yu and /or Patricia Culotti

  2  Level Five: TCF Master Teacher

• Achieved level Four Certification
• Experience assisting/teaching TCF Professional Training Workshops
• Teach TCF a minimum of 5 years
• Complete Reviewer Training
• Experience teaching Yang Style tai chi.
• Recommendation by Tricia Yu and/or Patricia Culotti