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
SANDRA KENDEL, Board Member
While running through Gellatly Park in West Kelowna the summer of 2019, Sandra came across an interesting group of people doing tai chi under the big willow tree. They immediately invited her into the middle of the group to try some of the moves. Encouraged by the tranquility of the beautiful surroundings and warm reception from the group, Sandra was eager to share the experience with her husband, Dean. Now, both are members of the Wine Country Tai Chi Society for the last four years. Besides the obvious physical benefits of Tai Chi, Sandra appreciates the meditative aspects of the practice.
Sandra has been a director of the society since 2019. Having a background in facilitation, she brings structure to the group through meeting management, event planning & fundraising.
Sandra can be reached at sandraleekendel@gmail.com
TEGRE BOLDUC-CIANCONE, Instructor in Training, Board Member
Tegre was introduced to Tai Chi in 2020 and realized within months that there were huge benefits of daily practice, physically as well as emotionally. She has previous experience in dance and is currently involved with calligraphy, art, gardening and is an avid reader, but was searching for something new to inspire her. Her inspiration was Tai Chi; she has experienced better mobility, sleep and found a greater appreciation for all that life has to offer. Tegre is currently involved in the Instructor training program.
As a board member she is hoping to inspire a passion for the art of Tai Chi. A passion that will not only benefit your mental and physical health but will introduce you to an activity that you can do for the remainder of your life. Continuous practice of this martial art form will increase flexibility and the ability to age gracefully. Our motto “The Journey is the Reward” truly sums up the gift of Tai Chi.
You can reach Tegre at tegre@telus.net
PETER LEARN, Instructor in Training
It has now been 50 years since Peter first studied Tai Chi Chuan in a loft in Old Montreal. He practiced that art on his own most memorably in the Tuscan hills and later overlooking the Mediterranean in southern France, always with his mentor – a wire-haired dachshund named Augustus Finknottle. Along the way he picked up a black belt in Tae Kwon Do.
He first studied Moy style tai chi in Canmore with Boon Loh. Boon was Master Moy’s assistant for decades and is the foremost practitioner of the art.
Peter has been fortunate to find the Wine Country Tai Chi Society in West Kelowna where Doug and Yvonne follow the Moy style. He has enjoyed the classes and the time in the park in the summer. He is honoured to be considered to be an instructor, as stepping into the role of an instructor provides new insights to one’s own practice of Tai Chi along with supporting others with their Tai Chi journey.
You can reach Peter at nomary1976@shaw.ca.