What they call their work
What they do
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Tai Chi and Mind-Body Wellness Instruction 3 activities
- Delivers tai chi and qigong instruction to studentsProvides in-person and online tai chi and qigong classes for students of all levels, including monthly classes, bi-monthly Open House events, seasonal Qigong Tunings, and virtual retreats focused on stress management and relaxation. Offers both free and paid live and on-demand courses through global affiliated schools and the Teachable platform.
- Produces and distributes educational materials for tai chi and qigongCreates and distributes instructional videos, DVDs, and on-demand course series—including The Eight Ways of Tai Chi Chuan, Time in the Art Series, and Roots & Branches 5 Element Qigong—for student learning and practice. Materials are offered as free teaching aids or through paid platforms and include supplementary content such as rare archival footage.
- Trains and develops tai chi instructorsOperates a certification program and structured curriculum for training tai chi instructors, using a team-teaching method. Hosts regular Winter and Summer Trainings, international teacher training weeks twice per year, and specialized sessions for teachers to share teaching strategies and deepen practice knowledge.
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Who runs it
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PENNY HARRISON | FOUNDATION ADMINISTRATOR | 20 | $12K |
| STEVE SHULMAN | TREASURER | 4 | $4K |
| ANNA TEEPLES | DIRECTOR | 4 | $2K |
| MICHAEL TILLMAN | VICE PRESIDENT | 4 | $2K |
| ANNE SMYERS | SECRETARY | 4 | $1K |
- CHARLOTTE ZINSSER BOOTH — DIRECTOR
- JESSE LEINFELDER — DIRECTOR
- MIKE BARKHAM — PRESIDENT
- OLIVER HERZFELD — DIRECTOR
Who they work with
- Cheng Man Ch’ing Partner — Teaches a tai chi lineage derived from Cheng Man Ch’ing, who studied under Yang Cheng Fu.
- Legacy Advisory Committee Partner — Advises the Board on matters related to the teachings and legacy of the organization.
- Linda Bisberg Partner — Apprentice instructor participating in workshop instruction
- Margaret Matsumoto Partner — Legacy Holder leading workshop instruction
- Patrick Watson Partner — School's founder featured in rare archival footage included in educational materials.
- Peter Schwartz Partner — 8th Level instructor leading workshop instruction
- Professor Cheng Man-ch'ing Network — Organization's programs are based on the teachings and five excellences of Professor Cheng Man-ch'ing.
- Teachable Partner — Platform partner for hosting on-demand tai chi classes.
- Teachable Partner — Platform used for delivering online tai chi courses.
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Dantian-Centered Movement for Foundational Practicemethodology: dantian-centered_movementBy teaching tai chi with emphasis on movement initiated from the dantian, the organization builds effective practice because this internal principle is believed to unify body and energy, forming the core of authentic tai chi expression.
- Integrative Qigong as Holistic Mind-Body Practicemethodology: integrative_qigongBy integrating Yang Style Tai Chi with Classical 5 Element Chinese Medicine, the organization creates a holistic qigong practice that transforms body, mind, and spirit, because aligning movement with traditional medical theory enhances therapeutic and energetic effects.
- Mind-Body Resilience Through Accessible Tai Chi Exercisesmethodology: mind-body_resilience_trainingBy teaching simple, accessible tai chi and qigong exercises, the organization helps individuals build inner peace and personal stress management tools, because low-barrier practices increase adoption and sustain engagement in self-regulation and resilience.
- Standardized Curriculum and Team Teaching for Instructional Consistencymethodology: standardized-curriculum-and-team-teachingBy using a standardized curriculum and team-teaching approach, the organization ensures consistent, high-quality instruction across locations and instructors, because shared pedagogy and collaborative teaching reinforce fidelity to the method and support deeper student learning.