Membership

Must be a current member of the Association at the time of applying plus there should be no break in membership in the prior two years.  In the year that you apply, your membership must be at the teacher level. 

For Non-Members, your filing fee will be $150 and you will be required to join the Association at a teacher level.

Experience

Must be: 

• Able to perform at an advanced level and teach a version of Guang Ping Yang taijiquan

• Demonstrate thorough knowledge of the form and an understanding of its applications.

• Demonstrate an understanding of body mechanics and the dynamics of tai chi movement, and

• Show basic competence in teaching.

• Your taiji lineage must contain one of the following master teachers:  Kuo Lien Ying, Chiang Yun-Chun, Peter Kwok, Henry Look, David Chin

• Five (5) years of taiji experience, and

• One year of supervised solo teaching experience

Application

These items must be submitted:

• The completed Application

• A video of you teaching the form as specified in the application. The teaching video requirement has two parts and must be aimed at beginning level students. First, instruction in Wuji stance. Second, any single movement from the first 1/3 of the set. The video should not be less than 10 minutes, nor exceed 30 minutes

• A video of you doing the 64 movement Guang Ping Yang taiji form.

• A high quality, digital color photograph of you. (A headshot is preferred)

• Members: $75 Application Fee,  or 

• Non-Members: $150 Application Fee (Non-Members) + $65 Teacher Member Fee.

You may submit your application either electronically or by US Mail.  Electric submission is preferred.   Please follow the directions below.  

Electronic Application Submission:

• Send the application and your photograph as an attachment to the Chair of the Certification Committee

• Upload the Videos. You can use Google Drive or your private YouTube channel. Send the link to the Committee Chairman. Be sure to make the video viewable to anyone with the link.

• Pay your Fee through the Association's Website.

Submission by US Mail:

• 8 copies of the application

• 8 flash/thumb drives containing the Teaching Video, your Form Video and the high-resolution photograph.

• You may pay your fee through the Association’s Website or include a check.

The Certification Committee Chair:

The Certification Committee Chair:

Matt Peterson

1314 Montridge Court

El Dorado Hills, CA 95762

mattpete6@yahoo.com

Certification Fee:

1. Members: An initial certification processing fee of $75.00 will be charged for active members maintaining a “Teacher” or “School/Organization” membership.

2. Non-members: Non-members seeking certification by the Guang Ping Yang T’ai Chi Association must, first or concurrently, join the association at either the “Teacher” or “School/Organization” level. An initial certification processing fee of $150.00 will be charged in addition to the dues applicable to the chosen category of membership.

Term and Renewal

The normal term for Guang Ping Yang T’ai Chi Association teacher certifications is four (4) years.  However, the Board has the obligation to exercise its discretionary authority, when necessary, to modify the term in individual cases to ensure the ongoing quality and validity of the program and to guarantee that all criteria are met fully.

Renewal of the teacher certification, once granted, will be free and automatic as long as the certified instructor continues to maintain active member status at either the “Teacher” or “School/Organization” level, and meets the Continuing Education requirement during the four year term by attending at least one (1) Guang Ping Yang T’ai Chi Association annual conference  or two GPYTCA virtual livestreamed workshops; OR by hosting/sponsoring a Guang Ping Yang T’ai Chi Association co-sponsored local/regional intensive workshop or instructional event at which s/he is in attendance; OR by submitting proof of attendance at a comparable instructional event deemed to qualify by the Certification Committee and the Board.

Upon the third consecutive renewal the certification shall be issued with no term of expiration, as long as membership in the Guang Ping Yang T’ai Chi Association is maintained at the “Teacher” or “School/Organization” level.  If the Board determines there is significant reason to withhold certification with no term of expiration, it will require a 2/3 vote of the full Board.

Lapsed Certification

If the Certified Teacher allows her/his membership to lapse, fails to meet the continuing education requirement, or allows her/his certification to lapse for any reason for a period of one year or more, a new application must be submitted and will be considered for resumption of certified status.

The fees charged under these circumstances will be the same as for a new application for certification unless the Board finds that extenuating circumstances justify waiver of the additional fees.

Benefits

As a GPTYCA Certified Teacher , you will receive:

• National recognition by the Guang Ping Yang T’ai Chi Association and an announcement in the quarterly newsletter upon certification being granted.

• A certificate, suitable for display from the Guang Ping Yang T’ai Chi Association verifying your state as a certified instructor.  

• Listing  on the  “Certified Teachers” page on  Associations’ Website

• Priority ranking on applications to the Association’s Mini-Grant program for funds to sponsor or support local/regional taiji workshops and other events

• Discounted conference registration fees.

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• Teacher Certification Program Information
• Teacher Certification Application
• Code of Conduct