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TEACHER CERTIFICATION
Frequently Asked Questions
(Click here to go back to the Certification Home
Page)
Click on a
question
BRIEF OVERVIEW
"It
all sounds great. Could you give me a brief overview, a summary of the process?"
"Why is your Certification
program superior to others"
"I have absolutely no martial arts or t'ai chi experience.
Can I become an effective Easy Tai Chi and 4 Minute Fitness teacher?"
"I already teach yoga and karate classes.
Why should I take your program?"
"I understand the significant business potential teaching weekly Easy
Tai Chi courses, but I don't know much about 4 Minute Fitness. What potential does it
offer?"
"How can you certify teachers when you don't work with
them in person?"
"What
kind of income can I make?"
"What
is Web Based Distance Learning?"
"You say the web based course is
about 18 weeks. Is the time spent flexible?"
"Is your
format inflexible or can we use our own experience in teaching?"
"Why is
your program so inexpensive compared to other certification programs of any kind?"
"I live overseas.
Are their opportunities for me to teach?"
"As a wheelchair user, could I become an instructor?"
IMPORTANT - How to Choose a Certification Program
"It
all sounds great. Could you give me a brief overview, a summary of the process?"
 Sure. There is a lot to this program, but it really is very
simple and step by step. In fact, I should have called it "Easy Tai Chi
Certification for Busy People"... After you sign up, this is what happens...
1. VIDEOS - DVD's and MANUAL - PART ONE
I send you the
Easy
Tai Chi (Tai Chi for Busy People) DVD package, the 4 Minute Fitness DVD,
The Heal your Body, Heal your Mind Live 4 Minute Fitness Seminar DVD, Easy
Tai Chi CORE DVD
and the Easy Weight Loss for Busy People CD.
PLUS I send the
link to
"Be
the Best You Can Be" - Part One of your web based distance learning Teachers
Manual - designed to supplement your video
lessons. This manual is not a book and is continually upgraded and improved.
In a manner so successful
in Hot Yoga Certification courses, you will memorize a script describing
each of the moves in detail. Not only will your personal practice improve,
you will feel super confident when teaching.
2. LEARN AT YOUR
OWN SPEED
You take as little time or as long as you want to learn from the videos and web pages.
Enjoy the process.
3. SUPPORT
During your learning period, I provide continued support by sending regular teaching
emails. As well, I am available by phone.
4. SEND A VIDEO OF
YOUR MOVEMENT
When you are ready, you send a video tape of your movement. I play it through my computer
and review your movements and teaching skill.
Note - it is not necessary to attend a seminar to achieve first level Leader
certification, but many people choose to be Certified at a Seminar for the
additional training and one on one support.
5. AGREEMENT
You and I sign an agreement. In essence, you will be authorized to use my techniques and
we form a team.
That said, I
encourage flexibility within the system. Add all you know to the process - make it yours.
6. MANUAL (PART
TWO) AND NEW VIDEO TAPE
Once you are Certified,
I then send another link to Part Two of your Teachers Manual - the
Ready-to-Go
Business Manual.
This
manual is Not a book -- it is continually updated and improved.
6. SUPPORT
We will be working together for years to come. All the manuals are "living"
manuals in that I will be continually adding pages, ideas, and updates all identified so
you can see changes immediately. It will just get better and better.
Remember - my goal is to have as many people as possible moving
gently and fully, breathing deeply and thinking positively thoughts. To that end,
I am committed to the success of the teachers within my organization.
"Why is your Certification
program superior to others"
Many very, very important
reasons. If you are still unsure after reading these reasons, call me toll-free
at 866-682-4244 after 9 a.m. Pacific.
Most importantly - you get TWO
completely different Certifications, two different possible career
directions - for the price of one. Both can offer dramatic life changes
for your students. And both can create significant income for you.
1. You will be authorized to use the terms Easy Tai Chi tm, Tai Chi for Busy People tm
and 4 Minute Fitness tm. When it
comes to business potential, it is vital to appeal to a huge market. These
terms appeal to almost everyone, especially those who have tried and failed at the varied
traditional Tai Chi approaches. And 4 Minute Fitness can be help everyone - including
those with limited mobility.
2. You cannot learn to teach tai chi and qi gong
effectively from a one-hour video and book. They may be cheaper to purchase, but,
as you know, you get what you pay for.
Our certification program includes over five hours of training
videos, an in depth
Script, PLUS an increasing number of web site video clips available to
participants. And support e-mails that I send
regularly.
3. Our web based manual improves continually as we continue
to add ideas offering better ways to teach and better ways to market. This
method is much superior to a book, which can be out of date in a matter of weeks.
As well, you have access to all the past support e-mails sent to participants and all
future updates.
4. We have research supporting the effectiveness of the
methods that we teach, research that is vitally important in creating value for potential
students, businesses and organizations.
5. 4 Minute Fitness is so all-encompassing and powerful that many businesses
and organizations embrace the concept. One 4 Minute Fitness keynote address can
generate $2500-$6000, making your initial $399 investment seem quite brilliant. :-)
Not only that, but I have a great deal of experience presenting
to businesses and organizations and can help my well-trained teachers in their
marketing to these groups.
6. Our Certified Teachers have a significantly greater income
potential, not only teaching Easy Tai Chi weekly, but teaching 4 Minute Fitness to
businesses, organizations, recreation centers, seniors... well, almost anyone, anywhere.
7. I anticipate that the relationships developed with my
teachers will last for decades -- I am fully and completely dedicated to their
success.
"I have absolutely no martial
arts or t'ai chi experience. Can I become an effective Easy Tai Chi and 4 Minute Fitness
teacher?"
Absolutely! The Certification Course is thorough and I offer a high level
of support. It may take you longer, but you can become a Certified leader within a few
months. An added bonus? You will likely achieve personal benefits as you progress!
Remember - we teach you a word for word
script that will make your teaching less stressful and more effective.
"I already teach yoga and karate
classes. Why should I take your program?"
Easy Tai
Chi and 4 Minute Fitness appeal to a huge cross section of population and
will help you diversify and maximize the skills you offer. Anyone, any age, any skill
level can find balance, relaxation, strength and flexibility using the techniques I teach.
And 4 Minute Fitness is perfect for
people with limited mobility and for seniors at any fitness level.
As well, you can incorporate your existing
skills and experience into my course, personalizing it in any way you like.
If you have an existing school or overhead,
or if you have a large number of students, these courses will simply increase what you
have to offer and increase your income.
"I
understand the significant business potential teaching weekly Easy Tai Chi courses,
but I don't know much about 4 Minute Fitness. What potential does it offer?"
 Once you experience the benefits and
ease of 4 Minute Fitness, you will begin to see the huge number of possibilities. The
seminar is presented in 2-3 hours, making it a perfect half day wellness session for many
businesses and organizations.
And even better, the session doesn't just tell participants how to
be healthier. It teaches the 4 Minute Fitness tool, so people can begin taking personal
action immediately after the session finishes.
I have presented the 4 Minute Fitness seminar as keynotes and break
away sessions for various organizations in conventions and retreats. I have been asked to
teach employees for workplace wellness programs. Recreation Centers love the one evening
sessions.
As a result of the study that demonstrated that 4 Minute
Fitness was effective in reducing teacher stress, much of my work has been with
teachers, usually at Professional Development days.
This study is available to Certified Teachers to use for
promotion.
As well, remember that 4 Minute Fitness can be done standing OR
sitting, so I am beginning to work with nursing and extended care facilities, not only for
residents but for staff. MS, Fibromyalgia groups, Cancer support groups, Heart and Stroke
clubs - the list goes on - all find benefits from this short and easy to learn approach.
I have presented to physiotherapists, occupational therapists,
health and wellness fairs... You get the picture. There are seemingly endless
possibilities and only one of me, hence my desire to Certify others to work with me.
"How can you certify teachers
when you don't work with them in person?"
Great
question. Actually, I offer personalized instruction, working with them by email, phone
and video tape analysis.
As I struggled with finding new ways to help
more people practice Easy Tai Chi and 4 Minute Fitness, I realized that it isn't
necessary to be a master to teach.
I realized that I could use the power of the
Internet combined with my in-depth teaching videos to teach the basics, creating effective
teachers inexpensively and easily.
In essence, we
form teaching teams to create maximum effectiveness. The teams look like this:
New teachers
from around the world offer enthusiasm, energy and their connections, combined with a
desire to help others breathe well and move.
Keith Jeffery - I join the team
because
Certified Leaders
(first level teachers) are able to sell my teaching DVD to each Easy Tai Chi
and/or 4 Minute Fitness student. Remember - my
DVD's alone have taught thousands of people these
methods - they are stand alone, effective teaching videos.
They are even more effective when combined with your personal
teaching and enthusiasm.
"What kind of income can I
make?"
Of course,
I cannot predict your income, but I can offer possibilities. Much will depend on your
enthusiasm and persistence and desire. Some of the Certification students want to teach
just a few classes a year, others are gung ho and want to work at it full time. Here are
some examples:
Our very first Certified Leader offered
classes following the guidelines presented in the Ready-to-Go Business Manual. His
first 14 week class attracted 30 students @ $99 each for a total of $2970. He has
paid his training investment many times over with the first class and generated a
significant profit.
His next Easy Tai Chi class class has almost
40 students pre-registered and an upcoming 4 Minute Fitness seminar has 30+ registrants -over
$4700 more in income.
In my case, seminars and classes offer a
major part of my income. My Easy Tai Chi classes often have 30-50 students (30 is about
maximum for one teacher. I have several Instructors to help me with classes, especially
when numbers are over 50).
My
4 Minute Fitness 2-3 hour sessions usually
gross $2000 - 4000 per session to small groups, and $2500
- $6000 when offered by a business or organization to employees or members. I have weeks
where I present several sessions.
To order the Certification package, click
here
"What is Web Based
Distance Learning?"
New Certification students use my DVD's and over 110 web pages to learn the
basics in teaching movement and in the "business" and marketing aspects of their
new career.
Each new student fills out a questionnaire so
both of us are clear on anticipated goals. Some students want to teach a few classes a
year, others want to make teaching 4 Minute Fitness and Easy Tai Chi a full time career,
offering a full time income.
I then take advantage of more technology to
evaluate each student from a video they send of their movement.
And I keep in touch with my students by email
or phone. I am dedicated to their success and do whatever I can to help them reach their
goals.
"You say the web based course
is about 20 weeks. Is the time spent flexible?"
That's
the beauty of web based distance learning. Go at your own pace! If you
are already skilled in t'ai chi practice and the martial arts, then you have the
opportunity to progress as rapidly as you want. If you have a full schedule, or are in no
rush, or if all this is new to you, you are able to progress at whatever speed you like.
"Is your format inflexible
or can we use our own experience in teaching?"
Many
certification programs are rigid, with strict teaching requirements and formats. From my
perspective, I feel it is advantageous to students if their teachers draw from all their
experiences.
Many of the folks taking the certification
program have skills in t'ai chi, yoga, and many martial arts. Many are highly skilled
professionals. I encourage all my teachers to personalize their lessons.
Of course, we all need to be consistent in
the teaching of the basic movements so the videos will be effective home study aids, but
over and above that, I encourage flexibility.
Initially, you will memorize
scripts - to help increase your confidence and teaching proficiency. When
you memorize them, you will feel so much more confident when you begin
teaching. But of course - with time you will make it "you".
"Why is
your program so inexpensive compared to others?"
As an overview, in the
big picture for me financially, I am able to charge very little for the Certification
program because new teachers regularly purchase DVD's in quantity at wholesale. They use
the DVD's to increase the effectiveness of their teaching methods and their
business income, so everyone wins.
The only income I make after certification is from the DVD sales. In return, I offer
continued phone and email support, teacher newsletters filled with ideas, business and
class manual upgrades, market testing and new approaches and I serve as a connection
amongst all the teachers to share ideas and success.
Remember - my number one goal is to have increasing numbers of people
introduced into easy and effective methods of mind-body fitness. I want to have a long and
mutually rewarding relationship with my partners.
"I live overseas. Are their opportunities for
me to teach?"
There are worldwide
opportunities. I have teachers going through the program in many countries. The tapes are
available in PAL format, NTSC format or in DVD, and the program itself is offered over the
Internet with over 120 teaching pages. Our DVD's are "region free" - they
play everywhere in the world
Simply order on the web page in US$, and you can begin immediately. Or we can talk by
phone if you wish - whatever is best for you. Click
here to
order.
This program has been very well accepted and is evolving to meet the needs of the
participants and new teachers.
As a wheelchair user, could I
become an instructor?
Absolutely! 4 Minute Fitness
is designed to be effective for people both standing and sitting. In fact, each exercise
on the video is taught in a sitting position, and is very effective in upper body and
spinal movement.
You can also modify the Easy Tai Chi for sitting, but your main focus would be teaching
4 Minute Fitness in that it is so all-encompassing.
Many people going through the course are planning
to teach 4 Minute Fitness without Easy Tai Chi. I would be happy to help you
with any question you have as you are learning, especially around teaching
people with limited mobility
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