Archives for June 2015

Chair Chi: Dementia Unit – Part 2

Well, I delivered my first Chair Chi session for a dementia unit at an aged care centre.

As mentioned in the previous post Chair Chi: Dementia Unit – Part 1 it was the first time I worked with a roomful of residents with dementia. And it was no different to the many high care Chair Chi sessions I have run in the past.

Most of the residents did what they could as I always encourage them to do so – this focus helps empower and build self-esteem for those who have limited movement. The feedback I received afterwards was positive as the residents, staff, and volunteers enjoyed the session

I’ve been asked to come back again and work with this group for my next Chair Chi session at this particular aged care centre so I’m looking forward to it.

It’s always a good feeling after a Chair Chi workshop – there’s something positive that happens in each workshop for both the residents and myself.

Aged Care Chair Chi Training Level 1&2

By Chris Leave a Comment

Last call for anyone interested in attending our Aged Care Chair Chi Training workshops next week. If you’re interested book now to ensure your place.

Here are the details:

Aged Care Chair Chi Training Program
Ideal one day workshop/s for carers, diversional therapists, physiotherapists and/or lifestyle staff who would like to deliver a different meditative and exercise system, based on Tai Chi, for low care and high care residents.

Chair Chi Training is innovative and very different from other Chair and Tai Chi exercise programs:
– As well as incorporating practical skills adapted from Tai Chi, it draws on the principles and power of Appreciative Intelligence®.
– Its adaptability also makes it inclusive as it allows high care residents/clients to participate.

More information:
http://bjseminars.com.au/programs/chair-chi-training-program/

Workshop Details
Fee: $352 (includes GST) per workshop – includes comprehensive work book/manual
Location: Central Ringwood Community Centre, Bedford Park, Bedford Road, Ringwood, Vic
Dates: Mon 22 June (Level 1), Tue 23 June (Level 2)

Options
1. Attend Level One workshop
2. Attend Level One and Level Two workshops on consecutive days
3. Onsite workshops available – please contact us for details

About Facilitator/Trainer Chris Bennett
Chris is a Tai Chi teacher who has 27 years experience in learning and teaching Tai Chi. He is also a professional facilitator and trainer in the area of staff development.

During the past two years he has delivered over 350 Chair Chi workshops in Melbourne for both low care and high care residents in more than 20 aged care centres. He has trained aged care staff in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane.

Feedback from a Recent Workshop
‘Our residents are enjoying their new Chair Chi sessions and are very enthusiastic – they look forward to exercises on a Thursday and are seen performing some of the skills when walking up the corridor’!
Jennie Guthrie

Registration
Please register here to ensure a place in a workshop/s
http://bjseminars.com.au/shop/workshops/
(From this page you can add one or both workshops to your shopping cart)

We hope to see you there.

Chair Chi: Dementia Unit – Part 1

By Chris Leave a Comment

At one of my regular Chair Chi sessions for an aged care centre here in Melbourne, Australia, I’ve been invited to run a session for a dementia unit.

I have worked with residents who have mild to severe dementia but this will be the first time I’ll be involved with a specific group.

So far I’ve run over 350 Chair Chi workshops for low care and high care residents, trained staff in how to run Chair Chi sessions in Melbourne, Bendigo, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane and am currently finalising a report on a Chair Chi Plus Pilot study I delivered at Berwick Craigcare Aged Care.

The more experiences I have, such as working with a dementia group, the more effective I can be in working with residents and staff.

And besides the experience, it’s also very enjoyable work.

Tai Chi: 5 Minutes to Midnight

By Chris Leave a Comment

I always aim for the perfect week when it comes to my Tai Chi training.

This involves training six days a week with Sunday’s my Yin day (rest). Lately I’ve been very busy with work that I have to do what I call ‘catch up training’ on a Sunday – for the Tai Chi drills I haven’t been able to do during the week.

Well, last Saturday I knew I’d be doing ‘catch up training’ on Sunday so I had to make sure I did as much as I could on Saturday.

I did my early morning 30 minute stance work and then worked on a memoir I’m writing. In between the writing I did more Tai Chi training to stay on schedule.

I ran out of time because I had to dash off and go into town and catch a play which left me with 18 minutes of Tai Chi training to complete.

When we got back from town, about 8.00pm, I did 10 minutes of standing leg stretches but I still had to do my power weapon drills, unfortunately my weapons were at home.

So, luckily I had an ‘early’ night and got back home at about 11.47pm. As soon as I got home I turned on the heating and then grabbed my weapons to train with.

Eigth minutes later I’d completed my training. It was five minutes to midnight.

Well, I was feeling pretty good that I was on target to complete my perfect week of training – only about 70 minutes to do on Sunday. Easy.

Woke up Sunday morning with a head cold and that was the end of any more training and my perfect week of training.

As Ned Kelly once said, ‘such is life’.

But I am proud of my 5 minutes to midnight effort.

June: Push Hands in the Park

By Chris Leave a Comment

Here are the details for the next Push Hands in the Park session.

When: Sunday – June 7

Time: 10.00am – 12 noon

Where: Fawkner Park – South Yarra (Armadale Road entrance), Melbourne, Australia

Friendly, non-competitive push hands (tui shou) practice and play for anyone – old, young, beginners, masters.

Team up with someone and discuss what you’d like to do – and what you’d not like to do!

Ten minute exchanges timed by a bell – but you can rest as well!

Learn, share and enjoy.

All welcomed.