Contact the adviser, Peter K

I have practised Yang Long Form pretty much every day since 1999. I began teaching Tai Chi to the local u3a in 2017. 

The main focus areas of my role will be to support you:

• In expanding your learning around Tai Chi and Qigong
• If you are looking to set up a new interest group in Tai Chi and Qigong
• Through facilitating the sharing of knowledge, resources and ideas, and bringing together the group leaders and members who are interested in Tai Chi and Qigong

The first thing that I would like to offer is the free resource - Tai Chi and Qigong Union of Great Britain website, and the magazine in particular: Tai Chi Chuan magazine

Secondly you might find the following YouTube channel useful: PeterFinding Balance 

It would be really good to know what help you need from me.  

I want to establish a regular National u3a Tai Chi and Qigong Learning EventNetwork. This will feature group leaders and members. It would be really helpful if you could let me know if you are the local u3a group leader or the key contact for Tai Chi and/or Qigong.  

Gordon has written to me asking “how to get U3As up and down the country engaged in something that is so good for them.” The April Meeting of the International Tai Chi Instructors Forum is focusing on “Marketing Tai Chi in the Modern World”. What do you think we should do to increase marketing of Tai Chi and Qigong in u3a. 

You will find some useful resources from Gordon here: Fusion Wellness - Balance and Harmony. We are hoping to run an online training  and as a  first step it would be useful to know who would be interested in making a commitment to attending such a an online course.  

Depending on the response then after that we could progress to other learning maybe using Zoom sessions. 

A start has been made with content, both text and video so now I am looking for volunteers to take part 

It would be really good to know what help you need from me.  

Tai Chi and Qigong is proven to be therapeutic for older people. My predecessor estimated that about half of Tai Chi and Qigong groups use paid teachers. It is virtually impossible to start a new group without access to an experienced practitioner or teacher, hence there is usually a payment involved.
 
u3a learning is based on the guiding principles.
 
The Trust is against having paid tutors in principle but u3as are independent charities and it does happen. Paid tutors must not be a member of any u3a. The Trust view on paid tutors is outlined in Finance Matters document 10.8 titled
10.8 and is outlined in Finance FAQS.  Clearly local u3a application and interpretation is often at variance for teaching Tai Chi and Qigong. Learn-Teach is probably more an aspiration than a reality. 

Where u3a members are taking a lead in running a u3a Tai Chi and Qigong group then they should get paid for out-of-pocket expenses. 10.1 Reimbursement of Expenses. All costs necessarily incurred by Trustees or any member in a u3a role should be reimbursed. This information is outlined in the Finance Matters document 10.1 Reimbursement of Expenses.  I think it comes down to legitimate expenses; see below. Please speak to your Group Coordinator and check your local u3as financial policy for the expenses that you can claim, process in claiming in the running of your group.
 
Becoming a competent teacher doesn’t happen by magic. It does take time and money to progress and build your teaching skills, build and maintain your Tai Chi and Qigong skills, and establish yourself. This led me to setting up a Community Interest Company to formally account for these expenses. You may want to explore this for yourself; or emulate the CIC by maintaining accurate accounts for the Tai Chi and Qigong group.