Tai Chi Health with Tricia Yu

Patricia Culotti is an advanced certified Tai Chi Fundamentals Instructor. Cofounder of Enhancing Balance in Waukesha, Wisconsin, Patricia has studied Yang Style tai chi since 1981 and has taught since 1977. She is also certified in traditional Yang Style tai chi and the ROM Dance. For more information, see her biography.

Gail Janz, PT, is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and since 1991 has been working in a clinical setting providing inpatient and outpatient orthopedic care. She incorporates tai chi and yoga into patient rehabilitation programs and community exercise programs at local fitness centers, senior centers and hospitals. She has been studying both traditional Yang Style tai chi and Tai Chi Fundamentals since 1999.

Diane Martin, PT has been practicing physical therapy in a variety of settings since 1978. Her focus since 1986 has been on musculoskeletal rehabilitation, chronic pain and women’s health. She has been practicing Tai Chi Fundamentals (TCF) since June of 2001 and began the certification process in March of 2002. Diane has enjoyed using the movement patterns with her clinic patients as well as teaching TCF classes at the Parkview Women’s Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. As an instructor in the PTA Program at the University of Saint Francis, she has had multiple opportunities to present TCF concepts to her students and the local community.

Sandy Matsuda, OTR/L, Ph.D. is an assistant professor of Occupational Therapy at the University of Missouri-Columbia. She began studying tai chi in 1975. She has taught tai chi at the YMCA, in housing projects for the elderly and in workshops for community groups and the MS Society. In 2001 she became certified in Tai Chi Fundamentals for Health Professionals and began incorporating tai chi principles into her work with clients in home health. She authored a chapter on tai chi in Complementary Therapies and Wellness: Practice Essentials for Holistic Health Care, by Jody Carlson, OTR, Ed. 2002. Personal Website

Lauri McKean is an advanced certified Tai Chi Fundamentals instructor, certified ROM Dance Instructor, and a certified Yang Style Tai Chi instructor. Based in Portland, Oregon, Lauri offers classes, individual instruction, presentations and workshops.

Judy Smith, PT, has been a physical therapist at Meriter Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin since 1987. A clinical specialist in chronic muscloskeletal pain, her experience includes tai chi, qigong, aikido and rehab yoga since 1986. She uses Tai Chi Fundamentals within a mindfulness based stress reduction program at Meriter's Complementary Medicine Department and the Center for Health Promotion. Judy has led Tai Chi Fundamentals workshops since 2001.

Shelly Vanness, OTR, has practiced pediatric Occupuational Therapy since 1985, and currently works in Outpatient Rehabilitation as a Biofeedback Specialist at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton, Wisconsin. She teaches the Tai Chi Fundamentals program to her adult rehabilitation patients and in her community. She also has presented a number of workshops for health care practitioners.

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Colleagues and Co-presenters Patricia Culotti is an advanced certified Tai Chi Fundamentals Instructor. Cofounder of Enhancing Balance in Waukesha, Wisconsin, Patricia has studied Yang Style tai chi since 1981 and has taught since 1977. She is also certified in traditional Yang Style tai chi and the ROM Dance. For more information, see her biography. Gail Janz, PT, is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and since 1991 has been working in a clinical setting providing inpatient and outpatient orthopedic care. She incorporates tai chi and yoga into patient rehabilitation programs and community exercise programs at local fitness centers, senior centers and hospitals. She has been studying both traditional Yang Style tai chi and Tai Chi Fundamentals since 1999. Diane Martin, PT has been practicing physical therapy in a variety of settings since 1978. Her focus since 1986 has been on musculoskeletal rehabilitation, chronic pain and women’s health. She has been practicing Tai Chi Fundamentals (TCF) since June of 2001 and began the certification process in March of 2002. Diane has enjoyed using the movement patterns with her clinic patients as well as teaching TCF classes at the Parkview Women’s Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. As an instructor in the PTA Program at the University of Saint Francis, she has had multiple opportunities to present TCF concepts to her students and the local community. Sandy Matsuda, OTR/L, Ph.D. is an assistant professor of Occupational Therapy at the University of Missouri-Columbia. She began studying tai chi in 1975. She has taught tai chi at the YMCA, in housing projects for the elderly and in workshops for community groups and the MS Society. In 2001 she became certified in Tai Chi Fundamentals for Health Professionals and began incorporating tai chi principles into her work with clients in home health. She authored a chapter on tai chi in Complementary Therapies and Wellness: Practice Essentials for Holistic Health Care, by Jody Carlson, OTR, Ed. 2002. Personal Website Lauri McKean is an advanced certified Tai Chi Fundamentals instructor, certified ROM Dance Instructor, and a certified Yang Style Tai Chi instructor. Based in Portland, Oregon, Lauri offers classes, individual instruction, presentations and workshops. Judy Smith, PT, has been a physical therapist at Meriter Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin since 1987. A clinical specialist in chronic muscloskeletal pain, her experience includes tai chi, qigong, aikido and rehab yoga since 1986. She uses Tai Chi Fundamentals within a mindfulness based stress reduction program at Meriter's Complementary Medicine Department and the Center for Health Promotion. Judy has led Tai Chi Fundamentals workshops since 2001. Shelly Vanness, OTR, has practiced pediatric Occupuational Therapy since 1985, and currently works in Outpatient Rehabilitation as a Biofeedback Specialist at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton, Wisconsin. She teaches the Tai Chi Fundamentals program to her adult rehabilitation patients and in her community. She also has presented a number of workshops for health care practitioners. Contact Us
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