DOUG WAINES, Lead Instructor, Board Member
Seeking a way to heal himself, Doug started Tai Chi in September, 1993 and realized amazing results in a short time. Under many different instructors, he continued learning and became approved to be a Beginning Instructor in 2000 and in 2003 further approval was granted to teach Ongoing Tai Chi; Lok Hup was added in 2016 and sabre in 2018 to continue the tradition of sharing the healing powers of Tai Chi with students in Alberta, B.C. and Nova Scotia. Following several years of additional training and instructing, Doug developed the ability to identify others’ hurts and teach them in a way that allowed them to change and effect improvements and in some cases recover dramatically.
Doug trains with several learned mentors and now passes on the forms Master Moy gave us to bring solace to the Mind, Body and Soul in ways no other process can. The benefits students find in each of the forms of Tai Chi, Lok Hup and Sabre are so rewarding to witness; and to see the joy others have with those physical/mental changes is his personal high and why he continues to instruct several classes a week.
Doug can be contacted via: dougrwaines@shaw.ca
YVONNE WAINES, Lead Instructor, Board Member
Energetic
Youthful
Artistic
Creative
Caring
These are the short listed words people use to describe Yvonne. After running her own businesses for many years, publishing books and commissioning and selling her artwork, there is no keeping up with this amazing mother and grandmother. With 27 years of experience learning and teaching Tai Chi, Sabre, Lok Hup and the Seated Form of Tai Chi, Yvonne’s quiet, gentle approach has helped many find relaxation, healing and unexpected energy from Tai Chi. She always finds ways to make it fun and social and people in her groups are eager to keep coming back for the friendship.
More recently, she has focused on the seated form of Tai Chi and how it can be used to strengthen, heal and inspire those students with limitations and challenges. She continues to expand these programs for all Tai Chi enthusiasts to enjoy the benefits of what can be learned by the seated form.
Yvonne can be contacted via yvonnewaines@shaw.ca
MICHELLE GREENWELL, Workshop Instructor, Board Member
BA Psych, MSc CAM, PhD. CIH (Complimentary & Integrative Health), Touch for Health, Therapeutic Touch, NeuroReflex Integration .
Michelle has been a student of Tai Chi since 1996. Over the years she has trained with many different Moy Tai Chi Instructors and became the lead Instructor with Tai Chi Cape Breton in 2010. Her passion for understanding how the body works and the incredible benefits that Tai Chi provides, keep her inspired to learn more and do more.
Completing her Master of Science degree in Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the spring of 2019, her area of focus included the micro movements that Tai Chi provides and how that can change the wellness and activity of individuals who engage in the art form. Her doctoral work expanded her movement knowledge to explore the power of intention, understanding of structure and the biofield, experience with energy systems within the body, and optimizing Tai Chi practice daily.
Michelle supports the board, instruction, and resources for the club.
Michelle can be contacted via
Barry Conklin, Director
Barry was born in Calgary, May 1949 and moved to Prince George in 1961. After graduating High School, Barry worked for Northwood Pulp Mill until he moved back to Calgary . While in Calgary, Barry achieved his first Dan Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do in 1998.
Other sports Barry enjoyed was Rugby and Skiing from 1972 to 2013.
Barry then moved to Nelson to undertake a small business franchise (Chester’s House of Cinnamon) from 2005 to 2010. While in Nelson, Barry was a member of the Nelson Taoist Tai Chi Society, a volunteer with the Nelson Tram Society and a member and Treasurer of the Kootenay Lake Vintage Car Club.
Barry retired in 2019 and moved with his partner of 24 years, Joanne, to West Kelowna.
Wanting to stay active and healthy, Barry joined Wine Country Tai Chi as a student in the spring of 2024 and enjoys learning the health benefits of the Tai Chi and Sabre Set.
Barry can be contacted via nilknoc1@yahoo.ca
Ruth Hamilton, Director
I am a long time resident of Kelowna. Wine Country Tai Chi has been a game changer for me even though when I started about 10 years ago I had a very physical job. I have found that tai chi has made a big change in my physical quality of life. As I get older I find that those once easy movements need to be reinforced. So now, with the help of tai chi, I am finding a better balance in my day to day life. Needless to say, I will be continuing with classes for a long time!
To contact: ruthhamilton@telus.net
Charlene Wiltink, Instructor in Training, Seated Form