Tai Chi Vermont is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to providing safe and effective tai chi instructor training throughout the state.

Directors
Our Directors work collaboratively to set training standards, run the various instructor certification workshops, periodic “skillbuilder” gatherings, and special tai chi events. We also provide information about training and tai chi benefits to Area Agencies on Aging, SASH, and other public entities and individuals, and encourage set-up of tai chi classes in all parts of Vermont.

Trainers
Our Trainers—Marty Kidder, Ellie Hayes, Laurie Knauer, Suzanne Lemire, and Anne Bower— each have depth of experience in tai chi. They lead instructor certification trainings around the state and are aided by experienced instructors we call “Facilitators.”

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Medical Evidence about Tai Chi's Effectiveness
Clinical studies support the efficacy of what we teach. Our entry level tai chi form is Fall Prevention Tai Chi—sometimes referrred to as “Introduction to Sun Style Tai Chi.” This program is short, upright, and includes lots of effective deep breathing. It is based on “Tai Chi for Arthritis,” an evidence-based program, as verified by the National Council on Aging. Many studies have shown that exercise to reduce falls should be done, ideally, twice a week and that the style of tai chi is less important than the total amount of time the exercise is undertaken. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that a tai chi class be designed for the needs of older adults and practiced at least fifty hours to have lasting effects on falls reduction. Additional studies have shown tai chi's effectiveness for a variety of conditions from arthritis to depression, osteoporosis to anxiety, and more.

Teaching Certification we Offer
Tai Chi Vermont trains instructors to teach additional tai chi classes beyond our Fall Prevention Tai Chi (sometimes known as “Introduction to Sun Style”). A number of instructors now offer the full Sun 73 Forms and Yang 24 style of tai chi. We may eventually offer other forms.

Certification Process
For each new cohort of instructors, our training program begins with a two-day workshop on Fall Prevention Tai Chi -- Level One. We focus on safe, effective teaching methods and basic principles. A two-day workshop follows, two to three months later, at which we continue to work on safe and effective teaching and add the Level Two (advanced) movements of this form. Approximately 6 months to a year later we offer this cohort of new instructors the opportunity to add Level Three (additional movements) and fine tune their teaching at another two-day workshop (recertification workshop). Each training is good for two years and includes access to free one-day “skillbuilder” workshops (on a variety of topics). Certified instructors are notified of all trainings and encouraged to grow their professional skills and the range of tai chi classes they can teach.

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Need more information?
Please use the contact form to send a message, or email: Anne Bower,anniebower71@gmail.com, OR Ellie Hayes, dragondance60@gmail.com