news from
Tai Chi Vermont

Unsplash photo by Mirko Bozic

As the Fire element turns into the Earth element in Traditional Chinese Medicine this time of year, it's the perfect time for relaxing, sloooow-moving vacations.

That doesn't mean you need to leave your tai chi practice behind. In fact, it just might show up when you least expect it.

Here's what an attendee in Jo Bregnard's classes recently shared with us after a trip to California:

"My beginner's experience with Tai Chi came to mind while on a recent hike that included crossing a boggy area on a narrow board. I remembered and used dragon’s tail, leaning back ever so slightly and walking with my feet pointing out and confident that I could do this and I did!"

--Diane, Springfield

Upcoming Sun 73 trainings

Email Ellie for details on the Sun events below

Our biennial Sun 73 instructor certification training with Ellie Hayes, Laurie Knauer and Beverly Blakeney 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. Regsitration deadline is Aug. 27.

In the meantime, the fourth Sun 73 Enrichment Workshop--covering the final set of movements in this long form--is Thursday, August 6, at St. John's Episcopal Church in Randolph, 9 a.m.-noon with Ellie, Laurie and Bev.

This workshop is $30. If you're an active 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. Forgot the code? Email us. And remember, now Enrichment Workshops can help you maintain active status as a TCV instructor (you need to attend at least three hours of in-person Enrichment or Skillbuilder Workshops in the two years between recertifications.)

Once you register for this workshop (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 actions--plus kicks and turns--totaling 73 named movements.

Follow the links to our website to get info on the Enrichment Workshop and Certification trainings--you can register from there, too.

Free Zoom learning and discussion sessions

Recordings of the Zoom discussions below will be available afterwards, for those who can’t attend live as well as those who want to review the sessions. Follow the links to sign up for access to the livestreams and recordings.

Tai Chi Teachers' Cafe Gathering with facilitator Zhen Wolffe, 11 a.m.-noon, Sunday, August 30, online via livestream and recording

Tai Chi Vermont 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 Zhen Wolffe is facilitating a series of meetups on Zoom to keep the conversations going. 

The idea for the Cafe was born out of a desire to create an informal place where we could meet and share ideas, questions and stories with fellow teachers. Zhen hopes to host these events quarterly. Come and be involved in the shaping of this new gathering!

Moving from the Inside Out Enrichment Workshop:

Exploring Fall Prevention Tai Chi Level 2

Join Zhen Wolffe and Jo Bregnard online (live or via recording) or at the Springfield UU Meetinghouse, 1:30-3 p.m., Friday, September 4 for the next Moving from the Inside Out workshop in this series.

Come explore our practice at the intersection of structure and energy. Together we’ll play with what animates our movements, and how enhancing our awareness can truly enrich our practice. You can expect some juicy conversation on meridians, anatomy, and more! We're meeting quarterly to dive into the Fall Prevention Tai Chi practice. This session, our third, will cover Level 2. You don't need to have attended the previous sessions to come to this one.

This 90-minute session is $15. If you're a volunteer instructor through Tai Chi Vermont, Enrichment Workshops are supported by your sponsoring Area Agency on Aging. Enter the special code that’s been shared with you previously at checkout so you can register for this event for FREE. Forgot the code? Click here to request it again.

As a reminder, now Enrichment Workshops can help you maintain active status as a TCV instructor. You must attend at least three hours of in-person Enrichment or Skillbuilder Workshops in the two years between recertifications.)

Save the date:

Level 3 Fall Prevention (Simplified Sun Style) cert/recert

Meet Laurie Knauer, Sue Monaco and Jo Bregnard at St. John’s Episcopal Church 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturdays, Oct. 17 and 24 for our final Fall Prevention training for 2026.

The fee for certification is $350 ($175 for recertification)--click here to reserve your spot. A $50 fee is required with all registrations. Instructors supported by one of the Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) may be reimbursed for the registration fee and the agency will be billed the balance of ($300 for certifications and $125 for recertifications). Please check with your agency for details. Independent instructors will need to pay the balance two weeks prior to the training date. Registration closes one month before training begins, so don't wait to book your spot!

Remember, TCV teachers must keep their status current by recertifying every two years.

When you register, training videos will be sent to you so you can pre-learn the movements. The energy you put into your pre-learning will help you succeed in becoming a safe and effective instructor. Email Laurie if you have questions.