Tai Chi for … ‘Busy People’

[       Tai Chi for ‘Busy People’ is able to bring to your organization a quick, easy and above all, cost effective, gentle exercise and relaxation program that is tailored to the needs of your organization and its workforce.

 

[       The Tai Chi gentle exercise and relaxation program is designed to be delivered at your workplace. No special equipment or clothing is required. We don’t roll around on the ground or jump around doing high impact aerobic exercise, so there is usually no need to shower or change afterwards. Tai Chi can usually be done in regular work clothes; however we do encourage that loose fitting clothing and soft flat footwear are worn on the day. So, an opportunity exists to remove those suits, ties and high heels during the Tai Chi gentle exercise and relaxation program.

 

[       The program is adjusted to the needs of the workforce and can be tailored in length from a quick 10 minute warm up to as long as an hour. We find however, that 25 minute sessions are a good starting point.

 

[       The Tai Chi gentle exercise and relaxation program aims to deliver an additional tool and technique to your organization’s Workplace Health and Safety systems. The Tai Chi gentle exercise and relaxation program will help your most valuable asset; your people. Tai Chi will help those who work in your organisation to manage and cope with the various stressors that the workplace can generate.

 

[       The Tai Chi gentle exercise and relaxation program is designed to be a long term ongoing program that is beneficial and affordable to an organization.

 

Stress … Good or Bad ?

 

[       Stress in itself is not necessarily good or bad. However, the effects of stress have an impact on ourselves, the organization and the people around us.

        A small amount of stress will help most people to achieve deadlines and meet performance outcomes; Stress is a trigger for the body to determine when to use the “Fight or Flight” mechanism. Some stress is good but too much can be overwhelming.

 

[       There are many situations that cause stress on an organization and its people.

        The current ‘Global Financial Crisis’ is certainly blamed for applying financial stress on organizations and this has many flow-on effects.

        The organization’s shareholders and various stakeholders have high expectations: production deadlines, limited resources, market share, increasing operating costs and pricing wars all contribute to stress and pressure.

        Tight budgets, performance indicators, sales targets, demands for increased productivity, reporting obligations, human resource issues and workplace health and safety responsibility. All these contribute to many long hours and increased stress for the management team.  

        The cost of living, financial pressures, job security, job satisfaction, new technology, multi tasking, re-skilling / training and of course dealing with customers and working with people all contribute to enormous stress on your workforce.

        Add to this mix, that employees are generally working more hours. They are constantly on call or expected to be available to work after normal hours, even from home through the use of lap-tops, internet, e-mails and mobile phones.

        You now potentially have a pressure cooker of stress that can often be overwhelming.

 

 

Why does an organization need to manage Stress ?

 

[       Workplace stress is a very real occurrence in the modern workplace, with the incidence of stress-related claims having risen dramatically in the last ten years.

 

[       Stress can have a major effect on work performance. Some of the consequences of workplace stress include absenteeism, diminished performance, negative attitude and cynicism, decline in commitment and creativity. Other effects are a decreased ability to concentrate, difficulty to learn and can translate to a difficulty to interact with other employees.

        Stressed workers can also develop a range of symptoms including insomnia, headaches, back pain, gastrointestinal disorders, fatigue, anxiety, irritability and depression.

        As a result, employers become involved in stress-related workers compensation claims. The average direct cost of a stress-related claim in Qld. during 2006 was $28,000 compared to $4,000 for physical injury claims. Work Cover net premiums alone had an increase of 100% from 2000 to 2004 equating to approximately $1.275 per $100 of wages.

 

[       According to the Quality Public Service Workplaces – Information Paper No. 3, June 2006 an article about the use of Employee Assistance Programs – what’s the cost? Workplace Info 15/10/03 stated the following:

        “It is estimated that a depressed employee can be 70% more expensive than a non-depressed employee and 20% less productive because their confidence and concentration are negatively affected. This is regardless of whether a problem is work or non-work related. A depressed and stressed employee can be up to 147% more expensive.”

 

[       According to the Quality Public Service Workplaces – Information Paper No. 8, dated June 2006

        Stress claims typically take employers more time and expense to resolve than claims relating to other types of work injury. The average duration of a stress claim was 92 days compared to 9.5 days for other types of claims.

        The Commonwealth public sector workers put stress claims at around 6% of all workplace injury claims but accounted for 21% of the total compensation costs (over 4 times more costly than other claim types). In the Queensland public sector these figures were closer to 9% and accounted for 40% of the claims costs.

 

[       Employers should try to manage workplace stress through preventative measures before they manifest into problems and difficulties for their people, in order to limit its impact on the business bottom line.

        Of course it goes without saying that prevention is always the best approach, but training the individuals in your organization to better manage their own levels of stress, will greatly increase the individual’s sense of control of their surroundings and improve their inner well being.

 

Solution to manage an individual’s Stress levels.

 

[       Stress that is managed will make us more effective, productive, happier and healthier people.

        In a practical application we can learn to let our breathing slow down. By adding slow, controlled breathing and gentle exercise, we allow ourselves to once again take control of our mind and body. We are able to increase blood flow and circulation while at the same time stretching out stiff, tired and aching muscles.

        As we relax and learn to let stress go, even for a few minutes, while in the company of other like minded colleagues, we develop a sense that we are not alone and that it is ok to sometimes feel a little overwhelmed.

        With continued practise, we can develop individual techniques that are quick and easy to apply throughout the day. Once we learn to manage our stress levels we are better able to:

        Identify and analyse developing situations and issues;

        Develop solutions and recommend appropriate actions;

        Implement strategies to fix problems;

        Identify when an issue needs to be referred to others;

        Manage our time better;

        Actively contribute to a supportive team environment;

        Above all, learn that others may be feeling stressed as well, which will lead to a better understanding and respect of each other in the workplace.

 

Benefits to the Employee, the Employer and the Workplace.

 

[       Tai Chi can improve health, inner well being and reduce stress. The natural progression from improved health and less stress in your workforce to improved moral and increased productivity is inevitable. Your continued investment to your most valuable resource, your people, will allow them to gain continued job satisfaction in the knowledge that you, as the employer are providing a caring and nurturing health program for them.

 

[       Benefit to the employee

        Tai Chi enhances our life by improving health and calming the mind.

        When we integrate Tai Chi into our everyday life it can make the mind clearer and improve concentration. This in turn helps with productivity and can often lead to greater job satisfaction.

 

[       Benefit to the employer

        To be busy and not produce results, will negatively affect the bottom line.

        Through a Tai Chi gentle exercise and relaxation program we can better equip ourselves to choose and seize the most important opportunities, so that our company prospers and we grow together.

 

[       Benefit to the workplace

        Tai Chi can have a positive effect on team building.

        When you practise together doing Tai Chi, it creates a strong relaxed atmosphere which promotes good team building, trust and confidence.

        We all enjoy working together if we are able to have a little fun as well.

 

Our program

 

[       Our Tai Chi gentle exercise and relaxation program is geared to deliver a gentle relaxing exercise workout that is non competitive, easy and fun to learn. Our program will focus on a variety of areas such as:

        Breathing - breathing deeply helps to relieve tension.

        Posture - upright and yet supple joints and limbs, puts bones and organs in a better position to function more efficiently as well as promote good blood circulation.

        Awareness - Tai Chi will help us to be more aware of the present. It will help us to find a balance and harmony both physically and inwardly.

        Applied to the business world

        This will allow us to be able to interact with other people – reaching out to listen, to look and find out what the other person has to say.

        Absorb the situation, understand it and if necessary, redirect or delegate.

        The individual will be in a good mental and emotional state to put forward a solution that is balanced and harmonious for all parties.

 

In detail

 

[     The program in more detail

        We come to you

        We are willing to travel to remote sites for an additional cost of travel based on kilometres greater than 15 kilometres from the CBD.

        Very little space required

        We would prefer an area with even flooring surface to prevent any likelihood of falls. 

        When it suits you

        We would instruct a program at a time suitable to your organisation once per week. Time frames can be adjusted to suit employee lunch breaks.

        We can work with the organisation to conduct multiple sessions on the same day so that we can encompass staggered lunch breaks.

        No equipment needed

        Loose fitting clothing and flat shoes are preferred, but not essential.

        Our program can be performed from a seated position for those that may have difficulty standing.

        We will modify the content and delivery of our Tai Chi gentle exercise and relaxation program for those with special needs.

        Carers are also encouraged to participate.

        Suggested Session Plan – 25 minutes

        Warm Up and Stretching Exercises – 10 minutes

        Relaxation & Breathing Technique – 3minutes

        Tai Chi Movements – 10 minutes

        Cool Down – 2 minutes

 

Who are we?

 

[       Tai Chi for ‘Busy People’, comprise of local Tai Chi Instructors who are suitably qualified and have been learning and practicing the Tai Chi - Sun Style for many years. The programs we deliver and instruct are from Dr Paul Lam’s Tai Chi for 'Health' programs as produced by Tai Chi for Health Institute, Australia. We continue to improve our skills through ongoing training and workshops, so that we are better placed to deliver a quality program to you and your organisation. We are also Members of the Tai Chi Association of Australia.

 

[       Dr Paul Lam is a medical doctor based in Sydney who took up tai chi in 1974. He has gone on to produce instructional material to improve people’s health and to facilitate learning. By 2007, there were approximately one million people around the world who had learned and benefitted from Dr Lam’s Tai Chi for Health programs. It is now estimated that this figure is closer to three million people world wide.

 

[      Our organisation has a strong community spirit and continues to encouraging all Australians to keep fit. We aim to continue to enhance the quality of life for all. We support community based fitness organisations such as the Queensland Keep Fit Association and will continue to promote their commitment to deliver a variety of community based activities at various community venues.

 

Cost of the Tai Chi gentle exercise and relaxation program

 

[       Our ‘Corporate Rate’ per session is $100.00 per Instructor.

        Each Instructor is able to accommodate any number of your employees from as few as 1 to a maximum of 20 participants per session.

        Additional Instructors are available to help with larger numbers of participants, at an additional cost.

        We do include travel of up to 15 kilometres from the CBD. An additional kilometre rate applies for greater distances.

 

[       Recommended Program Duration

        We recommend one 25 minute session per week, for a minimum of 8 weeks.

        This will generally give sufficient time and continuity to your employees, for them to realise and experience the benefits of the Tai Chi gentle exercise and relaxation program.

        The program is for the individual and as such they will gain health and relaxation benefits at their own pace.

        Participants should expect to develop relaxation skills quickly and experience additional individual benefits within a few weeks.

        It is expected that towards the end of the initial 8 week program noticeable benefits will be realized by not only the individual participant but also the organization.

 

Other Programs available

 

[       Additional Tai Chi for Health programs available:

        Tai Chi for Arthritis

        Tai Chi for Diabetes