Louise believes that being part of the TQSpirit is not only about learning the lifetime practice of Tai Chi and Qigong but also about enriching her life while forming long term relationships within a large community of like-minded individuals.
After starting her study and practice of Tai Chi and Qigong at the North Shore Neighbourhood House, Louise Wunderlich volunteered her administrative and organizational skills to help Instructors Josie Loehrich and (the late) Lynne Cove manage their classes at this location. Louise went on to also assist at Highlands United Church in a similar capacity.
When Covid hit, Louise’s responsibilities expanded to the job of Organizational Assistant for both Zoom and In-Person classes at all locations. Louise has become an invaluable part of North Shore Tai Chi Spirit’s weekly, year-round internal and external operations.
Louise has become a keen practitioner of Tai Chi and Qigong believing this practice improves health, physical balance, flexibility and strength, happiness, and longevity. Her love of Tai Chi and Qigong has led her to be an occasional substitute instructor, conducting group and private training when needed, as well as administrating registrations and attendance and being one of the key organizers of special events.
Louise believes that being part of the TQSpirit is not only about learning the lifetime practice of Tai Chi and Qigong but also about enriching her life while forming long term relationships within a large community of like-minded individuals.
This organization is thriving because of its Student Members and the dedication they put into coming to class each week. As a result, we have remained a thriving community despite the challenges that Covid brings.
Many of the students participate with TQSpirit in a variety of other ways throughout the year. Their assistance makes these classes possible. Many help us set-up and take-down the equipment that is required for our Zoom and In-Person classes. The help of our Student Volunteers has allowed us to come together in the safest way possible. Thanks to all who participated in making it happen every week this past year.
TQSpirit helps to also raise awareness for a number of non-profit organizations. As a result, many of our students provide their great spirit, expertise and help by volunteering their time and energy to a variety of Charities, which includes the Saturday Lunch Program and the Shelter to Home Organization.
Every TQ Spirit class requires the assistance of many to make it happen. We have volunteers to help load-in and loud-out our audio-visual-computer equipment. We have volunteers to help set up tables and chairs when and where required. Volunteers take attendance for us.
In particular, I would like to thank the following Volunteer Leaders at each of these locations:
Founding Organizational Leaders of the LBSSC: Pippa Phillips, John Phillips and Carole Conlin and Louis Peterson, and Tony Cox. They have been overseeing the community classes out at Lions Bay since its inception in 2016! Each and every week they arrive to meet and greet the students, handle all the administrative work, and, most important, pour the (free) tea for those who love to come early to chit chat and catch up.
Volunteer Organizational Assistant: Laurel Whatley. Laurel helps with all the administrative duties of the group. Laurel is also joined by our Set Up and Tear Down heavy lifters: Bob Gribling, Kathryn Mochizuki, and Doug Bevan. Each week they meet early with the Instructor to set up for the class, and then help with tear down. It is really appreciated.
At the North Shore Neighbourhood House the Program Coordinator is Christine Poole, who has been with the organization for over 35+ years. Christine has been an amazing administrator and support for all the Tai Chi & Qigong programs that have been operating at this location. We have a number of long-time students at the NSNH who are instrumental in helping to make the early evening class welcoming to all newbies.
Organizational Assistant: Louise Wunderlich. Louise is joined by our Wednesday Night Tear Down Crew: Phyllis Lai, along with many others. Many thanks to Phyllis who always arrives 45 minutes early to help with set-up, administration and welcoming duties.
Louise is also joined on Saturday mornings by Phyllis who arrives 45 minutes early to help set-up the Gym with chairs and tables, as well as the Computer/TV/Zoom system. We are also assisted by our Tear Down Crew: Phyllis Lai, Ikuko, Lorraine Elliott, Cydney and many others who join in from time to time. Their help is always very much appreciated.
We couldn’t produce and manage all our tai chi and qigong classes, both in-person and on zoom, without all our volunteers! Thank you.
While our Instructor is teaching, to make it all happen seemlessly on Zoom, TQSpirit relies on a team of additional support. Louise has become very skilled at juggling many things at once: Ensuring all our Zoom classes start on-time, recordings are in-play, the music isn’t too loud, letting in students who are a wee bit late…all the while dealing with her in-person administrative duties.
When needed, Louise also provides technical expertise to students in how to use Zoom, helps students by phone to “get in” when they are having Zoom issues, and is at the Zoom helm throughout all the classes where Zoom is an option.
We continue to have the amazing support on Zoom with Dr. Jessica Motherwell McFarlane, who is also a whiz when it comes to helping us learn how to deal with Zoom’s many upgrades, acting as a back-up host to all the Zoomers, keeping them engaged prior to the start of the Zoom classes on Saturdays.
After years of being On-Zoom our TQSpirit students are becoming more and more comfortable with this platform. The learning curve has been steep for some but students like Louise, Jessica and Phyllis are very patient and willing to help all Zoomer Newbies navigate being online. Without this Zoomer Technical Team guidance many Newbies would certainly have given up out of frustration!
Zoom is always updating their technology and so we have to “go with the Zoom flow” as it happens. We appreciate the patience that our students have when we have to deal with the changes or “issues” that sometimes come with Zoom’s upgrades!
Every year we have an end-of-year party. Our Party is a way to celebrate how much effort, determination, and fun it takes to attend Tai Chi and Qigong classes each week, 11 months out of the year, by coming together in December. This party has also become a major fund-raiser for the Saturday Lunch Program, an organization that we have been supporting since 2009.
Unfortunately, our 2022 was cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control, but the Saturday Lunch Program didn’t suffer as our TQ Spirit raised a lot of money for the Outreach organization that feeds over 100 people every week of the year. Pre-Covid, in 2019, our End-of-Year Party was huge, with up to 200 people attending and sharing coffee, tea, treats, and enjoying tai chi and qigong demonstrations. We hope we will be able to rise up again with an exciting event in the future.
In years past it would take an army to put together the event. Well over 40 people would contribute their time to help set up, decorate, register, sell tickets, close down and clean up. All the students brought yummy treats to share with the crowd, brought family and friends and dared to perform, sometimes for the first time ever, in front of the large group! We look forward to celebrating again next year!
Our 2022-2023 Team consists of a wonderfully dedicated group of Party Planners: Christine M, Faye M, Laurel W., Lorraine L, Louise W, Glennys P, Wayne H, Phoenix H, Ken P. (photographer), and quite a team of volunteers!
Thanks to you all – your efforts are always hugely appreciated. You enhanced the SPIRIT in our North Shore Tai Chi Qigong Community which is why we are all still here and thriving despite Covid obstacles.
Refund Policies – Video Policies – In-Person Covid Policies – On-Zoom Policies – Waiver 2022
REFUND POLICIES
1) Requests must be submitted in writing by email and is effective the date of the email.
2) Refunds will not be given after the 3rd class unless it is for medical reasons.
3) If you must stop class because you have contracted Covid 19 please contact us immediately.
4) Refunds provided will be calculated in the following manner – Classes already taken will be converted to a Drop-In Rate of $15.00/class, plus an added administration fee of $10.00. The balance will be refunded and sent to you by Interac or by mail.
5) Please note that if locations close due to Covid restrictions then all classes will continue on Zoom.
6) Some In-Person locations have special event days where all classes will either be On-Zoom or In-Person at an alternate location. No credit for class missed will be provided.
VIDEO POLICIES
Whether On-Zoom or In-Person the registered student understands that the North Shore Tai Chi Spirit & Chinese Health Qigong organization has a strict no-video-of-the-Instructor or the Assistants without express written consent. Additionally, all students agree that any videos sent to them by the Instructor are for “your eyes only” and should never be shared with any other person or posted, in full or in part, on the Internet.
IN-PERSON COVID POLICIES (as of April 2022)
North Shore Tai-Chi Spirit & Chinese Health Qigong wants to create a safe place for indoor tai chi and qigong group practice. Many of our classes are both In-Person and On-Zoom at the same time.
In accordance with the Provincial Health Authority wearing a mask will be a personal choice at this time. However, we will continue to require that all In-Person students practice social distancing.
If a shut-down to all In-Person classes is mandated by the Provincial Health Authority, then all classes will continue on Zoom. No credit will be given to students unless they do not have adequate access to the Internet.
ON-ZOOM POLICIES
IN-PERSON OPTIONS FOR ZOOM
Anyone signing up for In-Person classes will always have the option to be on Zoom where that option is available at that location. Some classes do not have the Zoom option.
Any In-Person registration means that you are guaranteed a spot in the class. When and if the need arises: if you are not feeling well , if you are out-of-town, or if you are running late; On-Zoom is an option for you.
WAIVER FOR ALL STUDENTS
Thank you for your registration.
In registering for this class our Instructor assumes you have talked to your doctor before starting this health and fitness regime. If you have any medical conditions or physical concerns please participate at your own pace and also let your Instructor know by emailing taichispirit@shaw.ca.
Agreement of Release and Waiver of Liability:
I (referring to the student, the undersigned) voluntarily supply my contact information so that representatives of the North Shore Tai-Chi Spirit (& Chinese Health Qigong) can contact me regarding class changes, cancellations, course updates, and tuition reminders, and special event updates. Participation in tai chi & qigong classes involves exercise. Exercise can result in accidents or injuries. I assume the risk connected with participation in tai chi & qigong classes and represent that I am insufficiently good health and condition and do not suffer from any physical or mental impairment which would put me or anyone at risk of injury while receiving tai chi & qigong instruction from representatives of the North Shore Tai-Chi Spirit. I understand that North Shore Tai-Chi Spirit is a management company only. All Instructors represent themselves. I specifically agree that the North Shore Tai-Chi Spirit, the general manager, volunteers, and instructor(s) of any In-Person or Zoom classes I am participating in, and/or his associates, shall not be held liable for any claim, demand, cause of action of any kind, resulting from or related to my use of the facilities or instruction.
I have read the above release and waiver of liability, as well as the refund policies, On-Zoom policies, In-Person policies, Covid policies, and fully understand their contents. I voluntarily agree to the terms and conditions stated above. I verify that all answers in my Registration are true.