Tutorial Video Part 1 - Simplified 24 form Tai Chi

 24式太极拳教程-1



Tutorial video that teaches the process of Simplified 24 form Tai Chi Chuan.

This first video explained that all forms of Tai Chi Chuan when practiced, require a focus mind. The heart should stay calm and conscious. Using the mind to guide the movements.

Just like a person who practice calligraphy......

Experiencing Tai Chi at People's Association HQ Tai Chi for Wellness Event

This morning I attended the Tai Chi for Wellness Event at the People's Association Headquarter.

This is Dr Paul Lam, I find he is very friendly. He demonstrated to the mass of people a combined forms of Tai Chi for Arthritis, Diabetes and Osteoporosis. Although the routine was short and seem easy to do, it was created based on the basic principles of Tai Chi.


The experience of going through the workout was pretty amazing! Few things here I'd like to share:

1. As I went through the process of the routine, I did experience that i was carrying a kind of "Qi" or "energy" was maintained throughout.
I could remember some of the forms were "open and close hands", "single whip", "fair lady working at shuttle" and "brush knee twist steps". I would believe people who had practised Tai Chi for some time could understand what I'm saying here.

2. The forms may seem short and easy but when performed, I could feel my legs the weight transfer and exertion for moments, the turning of the body on the waist and joints. These movements could be simple and easy for healthy people, but for people in medical condition, these simple movements could be a challenge but yet gentle to help them build up and strengthen their joints, muscles and body

Look at the picture below, so many people participated in the mass workout, about 2000 people I guess.

1st National Tai Chi for Wellness on 15 May 2010 with Dr Paul Lam

With reference to my previous blog post on "Dr Paul Lam to visit Singapore on 15 May 2010", I found another latest information released by the People's Association Media Advisory on the Tai Chi mass workout on 15 May 2010, click on this link to see its latest news: http://www.pa.gov.sg/images/news/10051211193852646.pdf

So, joining Dr Paul Lam, there are Mr Tan Boon Huat, Chief Executive director of PA, and Dr Lau Tang Ching, Singapore Rheumatology specialist, Vice Chairman, National Arthritis Foundation & President, Osteoporosis Society (Singapore). I guess Dr Lau will help to translate for Dr Paul Lam, so for those non English speaking senior citizens or mandarin speaking people could now ease their worries. Why I mention because I met an "auntie" last Sat at the Community Club, she asked me what language Dr Paul Lam speaks, and that she can't understand "Ang Moh".

Click the below to see the venue and programme details on 15 May 2010:
http://www.lifeskillslifestyle.org.sg/images/main/PAtaiji_SimplyHer.pdf

I heard that the seats available for Dr Lam's talk is already full. But we can join to learn the tai chi in the morning mass workout. There will be booths with people demonstrating to you "live" the Tai Chi rhythm ball 太极柔力球 and teach you how to do it, and there will be healthy cooking demonstration. I'll be bring my pen and paper for the recipe.

Here's a video I found on Tai Chi Rhythm Ball 太极柔力球,

I thought the ball was sticked on his "bat", but no, it's the control of strength. Anyway I have never seen this before, but I'm going to see it "live" at PA headquarter on 15 May 2010.

Dr Paul Lam's visit to Singapore last year on 28 September 2009

Below were some photos when I attended Dr Paul Lam's talk at Yio Chu Kang Community Club last year in September 2009.

This is Dr Paul Lam, he is a world leader in the field of Tai Chi for Health Improvement. He is a family physician in Sydney, Australia.  He combined traditional Tai Chi with modern knowledge with a team of Tai Chi experts and medical specialist, and created the "Tai Chi for Health" Programs. The program is designed to make it safe and easy to learn.

Dr Paul Lam mentioned Tai Chi was an effective mind-body exercises. The movements are slow, smooth and continuous. There are many forms of Tai Chi with significant differences between them.
In his "Tai Chi for Health" program, 3 types of Tai Chi courses were been introduced to us. Our People's Association in Singapore is currently offering these 3 courses. They are:

1. Tai Chi for Osteoporosis
2. Tai Chi for Arthritis
3. Tai Chi for Diabetes.

His programs are supported by organisation including Arthritis foundation in USA and Australia, Arthritis Care of UK, Diabetes Australia and Osteoporosis Australia. There were scientific studies that have shown Tai Chi to improve health, balance and quality of life.

Tai Chi demonstration by the students in Yio Chu Kang CC, lead by local trainer Jennifer Chung.

From left to right: Our local trainer Ms Gladys Tan, Ms Jennifer Chung, Dr Paul Lam and Dr Lau Tang Ching from National Arthritis Foundation. 

As I browse through the internet, I find out that Dr Paul Lam also offered other courses:

• For trainers who are teaching Tai Chi, click here to find out on Teaching Tai Chi Effectively
• For busy working adults, click to see how you can do Tai Chi at work.
• For people who are frequently travelling, here's a book "Tai Chi in Flight", to prevent thrombosis, fatigue and improve flexibility for people who sit for a long period of time.  

Dr Paul Lam to visit Singapore on 15 May 2010

I got excited when I happened to find the below link: http://www.lifeskillslifestyle.org.sg/images/main/PAtaiji_SimplyHer.pdf

Dr Paul Lam is coming to Singapore to lead a wellness event, "Tai Chi for Health" on 15 May 2010 at People's Association (PA) Headquarter. The event is Free Of Charge!!

I asked Gladys, my instructor and she confirmed to me about the event. She told me on that day, there will be mass workout display, talk by Dr Paul Lam and also healthy cooking demonstration.

I'm more curious about the Tai Chi Rhythm ball demonstration stated in the flyers. My classmates who had attended a previous Tai Chi event, watched this demonstration. They feedback that this Tai Chi Rhythm ball demonstration was  an eye opening to them, their skills were incredible, it's exciting and interesting.

I'm not sure if I can make it to attend this event on 15 May 2010 (Saturday). Well, if you gonna miss the wellness event on 15 May 2010,  Gladys told me Dr Paul Lam is also going to give a talk session at Yio Chu Kang Community Centre on 16 May 2010, Sunday afternoon at 2pm but there will be no mass workout display then.

Venue for the Mass Display on Singapore 13 Style Tai Chi

Now I am confused. In my earlier post, I found a site that stated the venue of the mass display on Singapore 13 style Tai Chi to be perform at the Chinese Garden. I found another site that stated the venue of the mass display to be performed at Anchorvale CC at Sengkang.

So, where actually is the location????!!!!!

MCYS Press Release on Keeping Seniors Active Through Taichi and Qigong

There is this press release on 19 March 2010 from the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sport (MCYS) that mentioned the Singapore Wushu Dragon and Lion Dance Federation (SWDLDF) to kick off the launch of a mass display on the Singapore 13 style Tai Chi that they had developed.

Here is an extract from the press release on Singapore 13 style Tai Chi:

Tai Chi for All

In the first half of 2010, SWDLDF will kick off the launch of the Taichi platform with a mass taichi display. SWDLDF has developed a simplified 13-step Taichi style, ''Taichi for All'', incorporating moves from each of Singapore's five taichi associations. This will add to the menu of Taichi options available for our seniors. Details on the mass display would be announced closer to the date of the event.

Click on the following link to read the full media release
http://app.mcys.gov.sg/web/corp_press_story.asp?szMod=corp&szSubMod=press&qid=5653