An interview with Pat Hoke,
a successful Easy Tai Chi teacher
September, 2008

1. How many classes do you teach currently? Number of students (approx.)?

This Fall, I am teaching  4 classes a week. These are a blend of new students and those who see their Tai Chi practice as an ongoing part of their life. My present students range in age from early 20's to my retirement group on Saturdays who are from 73-91, The total number of students attending the Fall classes is 28. I try to keep the classes small for more individual attention. The largest one estimated to be 12 students. I also teach to the full number of classes allowed for my liability insurance policy.

2. What was your primary approach or strategy in creating those classes?

I started teaching ETC in the Spring of 2006 with 10 students.... 5 in each of 2 classes in my home. I discovered that marketing Tai Chi from a total wellness perspective brought more students. The Winter class continued with these 10 plus another 6 students.  I also discovered that I needed to offer morning as well as 6pm classes to draw the most continuing students.
 
May of 2006 I was booked by a family therapy group to teach ETC to young men 12-16 and 17-20. These 20 students were either on probation or parole and needed to learn to use their bodies with control and with the awareness of actually being present... not totally in their heads. The therapists did not want martial arts due to the aggressive connotation. This was an unusual experience with security in the room .. along with their therapists as I taught.. each student received a DVD of ETC along with a diploma of attendance on their "graduation" .. they were totally blown away with this DVD and treasured it as if the first time they had received a gift. Next, their parents or Guardians and 2 months later when all classes were completed, we put all together and had a graduation party with Tai Chi ... because of their minor age and privacy act ... no photos but many memories!! The final contract with Family Services was to teach 8 young men in reentry from prison 20-25yrs old. This was an unbelievable experience ... would have never had the exposure to this lifestyle in any other setting
 
Spring of 2007 I moved from my home to multiple local spaces where ever I found students.I used the path to wellness
direction to a Retirement complex in Norfolk, VA. I found that they were looking for a Tai Chi teacher who would come to their facility. This automatically started a consistent returning class of 6-8 women who have come to class religiously since January 2007.
 
I have a Tuesday Morning class in a Catholic Church in Portsmouth Va.. about 45 minutes from home... great students continuing for the second year.These churches do not require that you are a member to teach in their social halls.
 
The other classes were started  with flyers, personal contact and from  word of mouth by my first students.
My newest class will start Oct 9th in Old Donation Episcopal Church... a historic church community that was looking for a teacher who would teach the spiritual of tai chi along with movement. Their parish nurse was one of my first students and called to see if I would meet with their Board. They loved the fact that ETC had DVD's and liked the 4 Minute Fitness program as well. This will be taught each class to open the student's awareness to balance and breath work along with the unique flow of the moves that is so great as an introduction to The Infinite Nine and Core forms.
The church feels that there will be 20+students.. I'm estimating
a minimum of 12 who will continue with the program after the free introduction class on Oct. 9th.
 
I have an ongoing class at the Association for Research and Enlightenment...a metaphysical center in Virginia Beach with a busy workshop schedule drawing people from all over the USA... I have a regular class group along with the visitors who are offered the class during their stay  at the ARE as a gift .
Also, there are many places that are available at a comfortable fee for classes.
The church on Tuesday mornings just accepts a check as a gift 3 times a year.. this is whatever I feel I can pay.
The ARE gave me a great rent reduction with the offer of free classes for their workshop guests. The new classes at OD Church again, is by gift of donation from profits. I charge $45 a month.. my classes are 45 min. long (found that longer classes not as popular). Students may pay by the week.. 12.25 or get a card good for 4 classes anytime for $45.I do not have part time drop ins... they come each week on a regular basis.
 
Classes are open so new students may join at any time.. most of these get individual lessons to bring them up to date... cost is the same price if on the same day as regular class.. saves gas costs.

3. From your perspective - which of your skills or talents or abilities has helped you the most in making your classes a reality?

NUMBER ONE: A GOOD SENSE OF HUMOR.I am also so thankful for the experiences of my retailing marketing career. These and my age have made it easy for people to trust themselves in diving in and trying Tai Chi... If a 61 yr. old can do this.. hey, why not try. I find that just being among people, and mentioning in conversation what I do in retirement will guarantee at least the chance expose so many people to ETC. When you get down to it.. ETC sells itself.. we just have to get it to the students.
 
4. Why do you enjoy teaching Easy Tai Chi and/or 4 Minute Fitness?

The total joy that teaching the ETC forms gives me will always keep me moving forward and continue developing my business.  The moves in the ETC programs represent the classical Tai Chi style while giving the student enough muscle development to move into more complex forms.I love seeing each student reconnect with their body and their confidence as they regain a good sense of balance and flexibility. I really appreciate the explanation of the martial arts form that relates to the ETC form.. helps when teaching young boys. I have taught two other Tai Chi programs but now only teach ETC forms. I found that this program automatically created students who wanted to continue study and who enjoyed polishing each move on a regular basis.. just like us in our Symposium classes, there is always something new that the body discovers during in-depth study.

5. Anything you'd like to say to up and coming Easy Tai Chi and 4 Minute Fitness teachers?

 I would definitely encourage each new teacher to totally immerse themselves in the details of your lessons and corrections.
Each move is so complete in the development of a good Tai Chi body ... these changes are the first things their own students will notice immediately. I am truly thankful that I discovered Easy Tai Chi  on my web search one evening when I returned from teaching a form that was not resonating with my students at all... I know that each new teacher will also discover the wonderful structure that ETC offers their students... DVD's CD's Symposiums and the free ability to communicate with you, Keith. I encourage all teachers to fully stock the DVD's for each form. Students love them and they add such a great professional quality to our businesses. Thank you so much for your support and those great newsletters.

Pat Hoke