news from
Tai Chi Vermont

Earlier this spring, American Tai Chi & Qigong Association reported that stroke patients may regain arm function by simply imagining the movements of Wave Hands In Clouds. We all know that tai chi may help improve body awareness and coordination, and now there's research that even mentally performing the movements may support neurological recovery. Remarkable!

Tai chi continues to be in the news. Keep spreading the good word about Tai Chi Vermont's classes and special events, so more can benefit from this practice with so many life-changing rewards. We appreciate every Facebook follow, newsletter forward and word-of-mouth referral!

World Tai Chi & Qigong Day April 25

TCV teachers around the state hosted free celebrations at 10 a.m. on the last Saturday of April, joining players from across the globe to spread the benefits of these practices. In Springfield, Sue Rubel, Jo Bregnard and Priscilla Lambert guided a group in person and online through qigong warmups, Fall Prevention and Sun 73 forms.

Did you celebrate in your town? Share your photos with us for our website!

Something New--a Tai Chi Vermont Virtual Teachers' Cafe

TCV teachers can never seem to get enough of the rich networking time we enjoy during certification dates, when we share inspiration for classes, practice resources and more. So Trainer-in-Training Zhen Wolffe is facilitating a series of meetups on Zoom to keep the conversations going. The first one is 2-3 p.m. Sunday, May 31. If you're an active TCV instructor, please click here for complete details and to sign up for this fun, free event--we'll send you the link. We're looking forward to chatting with you!

Upcoming Skill Builders, Workshops & Certifications

NEW! Tai Chi Vermont will offer Bafa Wubu Level 1 certification Friday, May 15, at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Randolph, 8:45 a.m.-4 p.m.

Bafa Wubu ("Eight Methods, Five Steps") is based on an ancient Chinese treatise describing key tai chi principles. Chinese martial artists recently resurrected and popularized it as a simple movement sequence incorporating self-defense techniques from the five main tai chi lineages. This form offers an excellent introduction to tai chi principles. It's easy to learn, relaxing and enjoyable.

First-time Bafa Wubu instructor certifier candidates ideally should be certified Fall Prevention Tai Chi instructors.

As with all TCV certifications, a 2026 Bafa Wubu certification will be valid for two years. A Bafa Wubu cert/recert option will be made available to 2025 certifiers in 2027. Those who aren't interested in teaching it may use this training to enjoy a day of intensive practice for $50.

A $50 fee is required for all registrations, and the fee for certification is $175. Instructors supported by one of the Area Agencies on Aging may be reimbursed for the registration fee and the agency would be billed the balance ($125 for a certification). Please check with your agency for details. Independent instructors will need to pay the balance two weeks prior to the training date.

Bafa Wubu Level 2 certification is scheduled for July 17--get those details here.

Our biennial Sun 73 instructor certification training is Thursday, Sept. 17, and Friday, Sept. 25 in the Fellowship Hall at Charlotte Congregational Church, 8:45 a.m.-4 p.m. each day.

In the meantime, the next Sun 73 Enrichment Workshop--covering the second set of movements in this long form--is Thursday, May 28, at St. John's Episcopal Church in Randolph, 9 a.m.-noon.

Each of the three remaining Sun 73 Enrichment Workshops is $30. If you're a Tai Chi Vermont-certified instructor sponsored by an Area Agency on Aging, you can enter the special code you've been given to register for FREE.

Once you register for one of the Enrichment Workshops (or the Sun 73 certification) you'll receive instructional videos to practice with from home.

Sun 73 is the "parent form" of our Fall Prevention Tai Chi sequence (Sun style short form) and includes some of the same movements, often repeated. We've taught practitioners of all abilities these 73 rhythmic movements with kicks, turns and more.

Follow the links to our website to get all the details on the Enrichment Workshops and Certification training--you can register from there as well.

Questions on either of these events? Click to email Trainer Ellie Hayes

Tai Chi Vermont instructors, if you've misplaced your code(s) click here to email us

Marty Kidder and Lisa St. Hilaire will be In Essex, Vt., May 7-9 to teach a variety of tai chi & qigong forms. For more information, follow the link to contact Marty.