ShareThis

This program is designed to cultivate the skills needed to teach Chen Style Taijiquan and Qi Gong/Taoist Meditation. The intent is that over the 2-3 year course of this program, teacher apprentices will be presented with learning and teaching opportunities that will allow them to grow at a pace that is comfortable for them. The end goal will be up to the teacher apprentice, whether it be reaching a deeper level in their own practice, assisting in classes at the Taoist Sanctuary, or developing and running their own class under the auspices of the Taoist Sanctuary.

 

CURRICULUM

This program curriculum is designed to educate the apprentice in the 3 main influences of Taijiquan and Qi Gong: martial arts, Taoism, and health and medicine. Training will include the forms of the Chen family Taijiquan curriculum, multiple Qi Gong and Taoist Meditation systems, Taoist philosophy, and classes in western and eastern medicine. In addition, because practical knowledge of a subject does not necessarily impart teaching skills, required classes will also include seminars in adult education that will train the apprentice in how to manage a group, design a lesson plan and advance a group class within a certain time frame.

A large part of this program will be one's own form development. The apprentice will be expected to work hard at their own corrections, elevating their form to a higher level than those they will be teaching. Apprentices will be expected to attend regular Taijiquan and Qi Gong classes, and special attention will be given to the apprentice during the regular classes to facilitate improvement through the course of the program.

Graduates from this program can expect to be comfortable teaching basic beginning and intermediate level classes in Taijiquan and Qi Gong to well and healthy people as well as the physically challenged population.

Required Core Classes:

Taijiquan and Qi Gong:
Laojia Yilu
Weapon form (sword, broadsword)
Laojia Erlu
Advanced Weapons form (double weapon, spear)
Qi Gong
Master Seminars (1-2 per year minimum)

Chinese and Western Medicine:
Anatomy (2 part seminar)
TCM (3 part seminar)

Taoist Philosophy:
Philosophy of Taijiquan (8 part seminar)
Philosophy of I Ching (8 part seminar)

Developing Teaching Skills:
The Art of Corrections (3 part seminar)
Managing Groups in a Classroom Setting (2 part seminar)

Additional classes may be scheduled during the course of the training program. This list is representative but not exhaustive.

Required Reading:

Chen: Living Taijiquan in the Classical Style- Jan Silberstorff
The Essence of Taijiquan - Gaffney and Siaw-Voon Sim
Between Heaven and Earth: A Guide to Chinese Medicine- Beinfeld and Korngold
The Way of Qi Gong - Ken Cohen

Class Attendance Requirements:

3 classes per week, 4 is optimal
must attend both Taijiquan and Qi Gong
must complete a majority of the seminar classes (to the instructors' satisfaction)

 

 

TEACHING PROGRESSION

 

As the apprentice moves through the program, the teaching assignments will gradually increase in difficulty. The apprentice will be given assignments based on their progress in the curriculum. Feedback will be given throughout this progression, and the exercise of supervised teaching with Bill and Allison will be a valuable tool in gaining the skill to guide a class independently.

Typical progression:

Point person assignment
assist during class
lead warm up exercises
teach new enrollees during regular classes
supervised teaching with Bill and/or Allison
substitute teaching

 

PRINCIPAL INSTRUCTORS

 

BILL HELM, ABT, HHP, TS
Director, Taoist Sanctuary of San Diego
Department Head, Massage Program, Pacific College of Oriental Medicine
6th Duan, Chinese Wushu Association
20th Generation Disciple, Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang, Standard Bearer

Bill has practiced martial and healing arts for over 30 years. An experienced and gifted teacher, Bill has nurtured and trained teachers in Taijiquan, Qi Gong and Chinese healing arts who have gone on to practice and teach all over the US and world. His incredibly broad knowledge and dedication to maintaining the high standards set by his own teachers make him a highly desirable instructor and mentor. Bill has run many training groups over the years, focusing on various aspects of the Chinese arts, including Taoism, Chinese medicine, and the skill of teaching Taijiquan and Qi Gong.

 

ALLISON HELM, MA, OT/L, TS
Senior Instructor, Taoist Sanctuary of San Diego
Assistant Director, Rehabilitation Services, UC San Diego Health System
6th Duan, Chinese Wushu Association
20th Generation Disciple, Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang, Standard Bearer

Allison has practiced Taijiquan and Qi Gong since 1993. Also a gifted teacher, Allison teaches beginning and advanced Taijiquan classes at the Taoist Sanctuary as well as various seminars offered in the teacher apprentice program. Allison's attention to detail and clear concise way of explaining difficult subject matter make her classes illuminating and enjoyable.

 

Together, Bill and Allison have designed a thoughtful and thorough program for the interested teacher apprentice. Their instruction will prepare the apprentice in all areas of the art of teaching, and will offer the graduate of this program myriad opportunities to take their well earned teaching diploma in any direction they choose.

 

 

Dates for apprentice seminars and meetings will be scheduled throughout the program. Typical times for meetings/seminars will be Tuesday evenings and Saturday afternoons. Visiting master seminars usually occur on weekends.

Cost: regular class fees can be found in the fee section of this webpage. Seminar costs vary depending on subject and instructor. Some apprentice seminars are offered at no cost to the participant. There is no set pricing for this program.

 

Now accepting applications for program starting in September 2011!

See Bill or Allison for details, or contact us by phone or email (information below)