Auckland-Waikato Area
Tai Chi for Arthritis Falls Prevention + Seated TCA
Instructor Training Workshop (+ Refresher/Updates Available)
2 Days Sat and Sun
9-10 MAY 2026
9am – 5pm both days
About the Workshop:
Learn this evidence-based program. Discover the ancient art of tai chi, master safe and effective teaching methods, and understand fall prevention principles. Gain Tai Chi for Health Institute (TCHI) accreditation to confidently deliver this program to people of all abilities, improving balance, strength, mobility and quality of life.
* After your successful completion of the 2-Day training workshop & TCHI BCI payment … You will receive 3 certificates (TCA, TCAFP, STCA)
This workshop is suitable for: Exercise instructors, Personal Trainers, Health Coaches, Physical and Diversional Therapists, Physiotherapists, Rest Home staff, tai chi teachers or advanced students, and other similar professionals.
Contact:
Tamara Bennett
TCHI Master Trainer
taichi@smilingdragon.co.nz
021 255 1087
Location:
The Sharda Retreat Centre (15 Percy Graham Dr, Tuakau 2121)
Accommodation Optional: Contact Tamara by email to book a room
$60/night room share with bedding
$50/night room share no bedding
- Communal kitchen onsite and Tuakau township is a 10 minutes walk to cafes, restaurants and shops
- Sharda is 35 minutes drive from the Auckland Airport. Buses and trains are available. Combining shuttle trips is a good idea … let Tamara before you book your flight and she will try to link you with other people from our of town.
Workshop Details:
Please Enrol NOW … and then attend the training workshop..
* After your successful completion of the 2-Day training workshop & TCHI BCI payment … You will receive 3 certificates (TCA, TCAFP, STCA)
* Read below for Refresher/Updates
Step 1 ~ Enrol and Pay your Workshop Course Fee(s) to the Master Trainer (section below)
Step 2 ~ Order Required Resources (section below)
Step 3 ~ Register with TCHI (Dr Paul Lam’s Tai Chi for Health Institute Inc) (Link Coming Soon)
Step 4 ~ Prepare for the Instructor Training Workshop: Learn from the required DVD, and read the Teaching Tai Chi Effectively book. OR SIPP link.
Step 5 ~ Complete pre-workshop paperwork (Google Forms emailed before the workshop)
Step 6 ~ Attend the training Workshop
Step 7 ~ Become a TCHI BCI (Board Certified Instructor) … read below
Step 8 ~ Share your knowledge and skills with others …
Step 9 ~ Update/Refresh your qualification(s) every two years, practise tai chi & have FUN!
TCHI Board Certified Instructor fee is required on successful certification:
The Two-year membership fee is payable direct to the Tai Chi for Health Institute. Following successful completion of the instructor training workshop, you will receive an email invitation to become a Tai Chi for Health Institute Board Certified Instructor (BCI), which is required before teaching the program (if not already a member). Two-year membership fee of AUD $99 (Standard Membership) or $169 AUD (Premier Membership) regardless of the number of certificates you have. A TCHI Board Certified Instructor is a person who has fulfilled the requirements, completed the training of a Tai Chi for Health programme, and is registered with the Tai Chi for Health Institute board. For detailed information please go to this link HERE
To earn your Board Certified Tai Chi for Health Instructor title, you need to meet two key requirements: complete a Tai Chi for Health program qualification and maintain an active TCHI membership.
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP
This workshop is personal. The Master Trainer will work with you to answer your questions and help to improve your tai chi and ensure you can teach the program safely and effectively.
There will be discussions, practice sessions, sharing of skills and knowledge, Question and Answer portions, and, most importantly, personal tuition. The Master Trainer will give you feedback on what you did well and how you can improve your tai chi and teaching skill and connect you to the Tai Chi for Health Institute (TCHI), fellow instructors, Senior Trainers and offer continual support.
What is Tai Chi for Arthritis for Fall Prevention?
Dr Paul Lam and his team of medical and tai chi experts designed this program to be safe and effective for people who are at increased risk of falling. It will also provide health benefits and improve almost anyone’s quality of life.
Based on the Sun style of tai chi, Tai Chi for Arthritis for Fall Prevention (TCAFP) is easy to learn, effective and safe. It improves flexibility, muscle strength, increases heart/lung activity, aligns posture, improves balance, and integrates the mind and body.
The TCAFP program includes warm up and cool down exercises, the teaching method, knowledge about arthritis and the cause of falls, and how to teach this program safely. This program is the same as the Tai Chi for Arthritis program with the addition of a specialized module to further enhance its efficacy in preventing falls.
Qualified participants who successfully complete the course will be accredited by the Tai Chi for Health Institute to teach this program.
Thousands of people around the world have gained health benefits from the TCAFP program. Many scientific studies have shown that the program relieves pain, improves quality of life and makes people feel better. Studies also shown the program prevent falls; that is why the Center of Disease Control and Prevention recommends it for this purpose. It is supported by many Arthritis Foundations including the USA, Australia and UK.
Reasons to Come
- Enjoy learning at your own pace and the personal training to become eligible to be an instructor of this program
- Learn how to teach this program effectively and safely
- Discover how tai chi improves health and relieves arthritis
- Learn Dr Lam’s Stepwise Progressive Teaching Method
- Gain essential knowledge about arthritis and fall prevention
- Learn about the essential principles of tai chi
- Improve your level of tai chi in a positive, enjoyable and interactive environment
Requirements
Anyone is welcome to attend, but in order to be eligible to be certified as an instructor, please check the recommended qualifications listed below.
- Physical therapists or physiotherapists
- Tai chi teachers or advanced students
- Exercise instructor
- Other similar professionals
Participants will receive either an attendance or instructor/leader’s certificate.
- By the Completion of the Workshop you will:
- Know the Tai Chi for Arthritis for Fall Prevention set at a deeper level
- Understand how tai chi improves health and relaxation and helps to prevent falls
- Have learned how to teach this program effectively and safely
- Have improved your tai chi skill and knowledge
- Have learned how to attract and retain more students
Clothing
Wear loose comfortable clothes and flat shoes suitable for exercise.
Course Fees:
Registration Course Fee Includes: 2-Day Workshop, morning and afternoon teas.
*Participants provide your own lunch
*Participants must have the required resources, see below
*Cancellation administration fee $150 (transferable to a future TCHI Workshop with MT Tamara Bennett)
Fee sections below:
- Full Price Workshop
- REPs, TCHI BCI Member
- Pre-Workshop Training Resources Required
- Refresher/Updates
1. Full Price Workshop (Non-TCH Member)
ADD TO CART ~ 9-10 MAY 2026 … 2 Day
Early Bird $360 incl GST (After 9 April 2026, $400 incl GST)
2. REPs, TCHI BCI Member or Live Stronger for Longer Instructor(15% Discount)
REPs CPDs to be confirmed
ADD TO CART ~ 9-10 MAY 2026 … 2 Day
Early Bird $305 incl GST (After 9 April 2026, $340 incl GST)
3. Pre-Workshop Training Resources Required:
You have two OPTIONS:
- Purchase and study with the DVD and TTCE book
- Purchase and complete the SIPP online training.
DVD(s), TTCE book, plus charts:
ADD TO CART Teaching Tai Chi Effectively book 2011 ($25 discounted price for workshop participants ONLY)
ADD TO CART Tai Chi for Arthritis DVD ($35 discounted price for workshop participants ONLY)
PLUS …
ADD TO CARTRecommended Additional Resources: $30 extra for the Tai Chi for Arthritis Handbook, Tai Chi for Arthritis movement chart and the Warm-Up & Cool-Down chart ($39 if purchased separately from workshop registration) ($30 discounted price for workshop participants ONLY)
ADD TO CART Recommended: Seated Tai Chi for Arthritis DVD ($30 discounted price for workshop participants ONLY)
SIPP? (Self-paced Instructor Preparation Package)
ADD TO CART $100
Dr Lam and the TCHI Board created the SIPP training system.
1: Complete the SIPP for the TCHI program you are enrolled to train in. The SIPP a self-paced online virtual program containing essential material to train effective and safe instructors. All you have to do is to follow the sequence with Dr Lam’s online training.
- After you enroll and pay for this workshop, you will receive a link to the SIPP that you can complete in your own time.
- Enrol asap, because you must complete the SIPP before the workshop.
- Depending on your experience, it may take anywhere from 10 to 70 hours.
2: Attend the TCHI Workshop: After completion of the SIPP, you will be ready for the ‘Live Interactive Training Workshop’ LITW (either via ZOOM or In-Person), at a one or two day instructor training workshop to be eligible to become a Tai Chi for Health Institute (TCHI) Board Certified Instructor (BCI).
First Aid
Note: A current First Aid certificate is required for all Tai Chi for Health Institute Instructors and workshop participants. Students are welcome to attend as course participants (Attendance certificate)
4. Refresher / Update(s)
TCA, TCAFP, STCA TCA2 (TCA Suite) Refresher/Updates:
ADD TO CART ~ 9-10 MAY 2026 … 2 Day
Early Bird $150 NZD incl GST (After 9 April 2026, $165)
*If you’re Refreshing/Updating TCA and want to gain the Tai Chi for Arthritis for Fall Prevention qualification and/or Seated TCA as well, then you must attend both Sat & Sun.
Please email Tamara to let me know which qualifications you are wanting to update.
Other Updates
ADD Additional Refresher/Updates to the workshop price for $40/each.
NOTE: Your assignment(s) will be emailed after enrollment and payment is received, and your TCHI registration has been completed online.
TCO ADD TO CART
TCD ADD TO CART
TCE ADD TO CART
TCE 2 ADD TO CART
TCK ADD TO CART
TCR ADD TO CART
TCM ADD TO CART
TCHC ADD TO CART
QH ADD TO CART
TCL ADD TO CART
NOTE: If you are updating 4 or more Additional qualifications maximum ‘Update’ payment of $125 ADD TO CART
Please email Tamara with the name of the updates you need.