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

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.” I have already created the Newsletter, which includes the benefits and raison d”etre for u3a
Tai Chi and Qigong. 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. 

There are two u3a online training sessions available through IGO:

Creative calm - Tai Chi qigong

Fusion tai qi gong

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

Now we have the Startup guide. I am working on a Tai Chi 101 to get new group starters up to speed. Probably 3 hour work shop(s) in person, supported by videos and then possibly Zoom observation of new groups in action. This would provide a short form; either 24 step Short or first part 17 step Long; and a Qigong set. The attendees would be required to practice “daily”. I have run a similar event for moving up from short to long form.

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 found in the u3a annual report.
 
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 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, in the course of running 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.