The Trust Health Service Instructors course will at the outset be limited to practitioners that have at least 2 years experience and have passed the ability check. The course will be run in sections and will involve assessments at the end of each section. Once the student has completed and passed all the sections, he/she will be required to complete a instructors assessment carried out under strict control of THS. This will require the practitioner to complete a 2 hour class involving a beginners Yang or Chen style Tai Chi (1 hour) and a Weaponry Class also 1 hour. Currently there are two Instructor Levels, Standard Level and Senior level (see below for all details. If there is a requirement further levels will be added at a later date
The foundation levelThe basic level courses will require classroom work and study of the DVD at home. Completion of the foundation level (excluding specialised Wheelchair Tai Chi) will be (as a guideline) 100 hours of practice, however peoples natural ability in learning will progress or retard the timings. On completion you will have a very good grounding in Tai Chi and be able and ready to move to the more demanding improvement level. There are two styles for you to choose from; either YANG or CHEN style Tai Chi, however the Health Qigong course is mandatory. WE recommend that you start with Yang style. Practitioners will be evaluated to receive a Foundation Level Accreditation and THS Bronze Embroidered Badge on a THS T Shirt (colour of your choice)
The improvement levelAt this level the practitioner should improve the technical aspects of Tai Chi. The skills learnt during this level will coordinate the hands, legs, feet and eyes through the pivotal parts of the body i.e. the waist, so that the body is moving as a single unit. Tai Chi is a continual moving actions or steps so the body is moving naturally and smoothly changing positions but maintaining stability and the centre of gravity between the points of foundation.
The improvement level is 120 hours of tuition, ( a combination of classroom, DVD and home practice) however peoples natural ability in learning will progress or retard the timings. Again there are two styles for you to choose from; either YANG or CHEN style Tai Chi. We recommend that you continue with the foundation style. Practitioners will be evaluated on either one from the Yang or Chen style Tai Chi Courses, + plus either one of the Health Qigong Courses, + plus one of the Weaponry Courses to receive a Improvement Level Accreditation and THS Silver Embroidered Badge on Satin Tai Chi Suit (colour of your choice). Please note that only students that have completed Foundation and Improvement levels will get this offer.
The advanced levelAt the advanced level, the movements will continue to exercise smooth flowing movements, maintain the whole body symmetry and coordination, while keeping the body alignment to maintain the centre of gravity and balance. Further improve the technical aspects of the movements and refine pace and breathing. The use of both Diaphragm and Natural breathing. The advanced level is 175 hours of tuition, ( a combination of classroom, DVD and home practice) however peoples natural ability in learning will progress or retard the timings. This level contains a wealth of actions, full of movements with charming freedom of expression and appeal. This level evaluation will be carried out from either Yang or Chen style Tai Chi, plus one from the Weaponry Form, plus one from the specialist form, plus the Health Qigong is mandatory. Practitioners that pass this level will receive an Advanced Level Accreditation and THS Gold Embroidered Badge on Satin Tai Chi Suit (colour of your choice)Please note that this offer is only to students that have completed the foundation, improvement and advanced levels with THS.
The martial and spiritual levelThe spiritual stage is cultivated internally and is the essence of Tai Chi.Spiritual development in the realm of martial arts is applied through the ching (metabolic energy), ch'i (breath energy) and shen (spiritual energy) - the practise of physical culture. The practise of the martial arts in a spiritual way is soft-style exercise, the sinew power of ching, chi and shen. THS has put the more difficult Tai Chi in this stage for purposes of grading only. The Spiritual stage of Tai Chi cannot be measured in hours., but achieving grades in the disciplines listed in this level will meet the THS Gold level.
The instructors courses will be run throughout the year and will require considerable classroom and self taught modules.
