Marianne Walch, Ph.D., MT, (Retired E-RYT 500), is Co-Director of the Silver Lotus Training Institute and is also a Master Trainer with the Tai Chi for Health Institute. In this role, she trains and certifies TCH instructors throughout the United States. Marianne has also served as a Director and Vice President of the U.S. Tai Chi Community, and is a professional member of the National Qigong Association. >> Read more about Marianne...
Contact Marianne: (302) 344-6608

Janet's interest in health and fitness can be traced back to her career in the medical field as a radiology and ultrasound technician. As a young woman and later as a military spouse, Janet has traveled and lived throughout the U.S. and abroad. Her love of horses prompted her to learn to ride which served as a means to cope with the demands of military family life. Upon retiring to Delaware, Janet was introduced to Tai Chi and was immediately hooked. Since then, she has earned teaching certifications in Tai Chi for Arthritis, Fall Prevention, Heart and Qigong for Health from Dr. Lam’s Tai Chi for Health Institute. Janet also achieved teaching certification in Level Two training in Qigong and Tai Chi Forms from the Silver Lotus Training Institute where she continues to do in-depth study with Susan Hamadock. She has certification from Wing Cheung and has studied with Dr. Aihan Kuhn. She continues her studies of Traditional Chinese Medicine with Efrain Brady and studies Qigong with Mimi Kuo-Deemer. Janet’s other interests include reading and cooking, Janet teaches various Tai Chi and Qigong Forms as well as Yang Fan Forms. >> Read more about Marianne...

Susan started studying tai chi in Georgia in 2014 with an instructor associated with Dr. Paul Lam's Tai Chi for Health Institute, learning various forms specifically designed for health conditions. While spending summers in Rehoboth she met Susan Hamadock and began classes with the Silver Lotus Institute, learning other forms and some qigong. In 2018 she moved permanently to Rehoboth and has continued her studies and practice. She is certified to teach Tai Chi for Arthritis, Osteoporosis, Memory, and Heart Conditions. In addition, she is teaching Chen 36. Susan has studied Yang 24 in depth and is learning the Yang Traditional form as taught by Grand Master Yang Jun, the current Yang Family legacy holder. Most recently, Susan has been accepted as a Senior Trainer with the Tai Chi for Health Institute and will be working with Master Trainer Marianne Walch conducting workshops to train instructors.

Marc Andonian, PhD, is an exercise physiologist and gerontologist who has been studying and teaching Taijiquan and Qigong for more than 25 years. He began tai chi seeking better balance, ease, and overall well‑being, and the practice quickly became a lifelong path of study and teaching. Marc teaches the Yang 24 Form, one of the most widely practiced forms worldwide, along with Yangjia Michuan Taijiquan (Yang Family Hidden Tradition), a traditional three‑section, 127‑movement lineage form. He has trained with senior students of Master Wang Yen‑nien and studied taijiquan theory with Dr. Yang, Jwing‑Ming. Marc also teaches several qigong systems, including Shibashi, Yi Jin Jing, Ba Duan Jin, and Dayan. He is certified by the Tai Chi for Health Institute (Dr. Paul Lam), and The Silver Lotus Training Institute. His passion is helping people build confidence, balance, and a grounded sense of well‑being through steady, mindful practice.

Pat Bower retired after a successful career and, following more than 25 years of practicing Karate, discovered Tai Chi for Health as the perfect way to continue her martial arts journey. With a lifelong passion for martial arts, she found that Tai Chi provided the ideal balance of movement, strength, and mindfulness while supporting her physical well-being and accommodating the challenges of past injuries and physical limitations. Pat is a Certified Instructor through Silver Lotus Training Instituteand enjoys helping students improve their balance, flexibility, coordination, and overall wellness through the gentle yet powerful practice of Tai Chi. She teaches the Yang 24 forms, Yang 32 Sword Form and Qigong, creating a welcoming environment where students of all experience levels can build confidence, improve their health, and discover the many benefits of these ancient practices.

Laurie deLaski is a retired Certified Industrial Hygienist and Safety Professional and taught worker safety for more than 40 years. She began her Tai Chi journey after retiring and moving to Lewes, DE. The practice greatly reduced her stress, allowing clearer thought and greater inner peace. Laurie wanted to provide that experience to others and increase her own practice by teaching Tai Chi. She is a certified teacher at Silver Lotus Institute and is also certified by Dr. Paul Lam, a world-renowned expert in the benefits of Tai Chi.

Sharon received her teaching certificate in Dr. Lam’s Tai Chi for Diabetes in 2012. She teaches a variety of classes specializing in working with beginners. Her biggest joy is when her students’ share how Tai Chi is helping them improve their health. Sharon received a Master’s Degree in Dance Education in 1979 from Temple University. She has been a Transformation Facilitator for the past 20 years, helping individuals reduce their stress and change their lives. She currently works full time as an Activity Therapist at a nearby psychiatric hospital. She teaches her patients to use Tai Chi as a positive coping skill and tool to manage stress. She continues to study Tai Chi at the Silver Lotus Training Institute under the guidance of Susan Hamadock.

Pat Hendrick moved to Southern Delaware in 2007. She was introduced to Tai Chi while working as a Project Manager for AT&T in New Jersey. Joining Silver Lotus Institute in 2010, she found a generous community of players of Tai Chi for Health. Pat has trained in and taught several Tai Chi and Qigong forms including Yang 24 Form, Sun 73 Form, Tai Chi for Diabetes, Tai Chi for Arthritis, Tai Chi for Energy and Tai Chi Fan forms. She has most recently taught at the Cancer Support Community in Rehoboth Beach.

Joanne Is a retired physical therapist and educator whose interest in Tai Chi began as another way to help physical therapy patients improve their balance. She attended many continuing education activities related to Tai Chi and rehabilitation and earned a certification for Tai Chi for Rehab through Dr. Paul Lam’s Health Institute in 2018. That experience not only inspired her start a personal Tai Chi practice, but also sparked a desire to learn more and to share her love of Tai Chi with others. Since then, she has become an Accredited Tai Chi Chih (TCC) instructor, earned certifications for Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention, and completed Levels I and II Training in Qigong and Tai Chi Beginning Forms from the Silver Lotus Training institute. She has been teaching TCC (an easy to learn “moving meditation”) through the Indian River Senior Center, her community and even her own backyard during the pandemic. She currently offers Virtual TCC classes online via the Zoom platform.

Deb is a retired Special Education teacher and certified IIN Health Coach. A lifelong health and fitness enthusiast, she has practiced mindfulness for years. When she became caretaker for her mother, she joined her in a Tai Chi class. The benefits Deb felt drove her to immerse herself in the practice. Deb has a number of teaching certificates through the Tai Chi for Health Institute, including Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention, Tai Chi for Arthritis 2, Seated Tai Chi, and Tai Chi for Heart Conditions. She has Level 1 and 2 certifications in Qigong and Tai Chi from the Silver Lotus Training Institute as well as a Level 1 certification in Qigong from Nick Loffree. Deb takes Traditional Chinese Medicine with Efrain Brady, and continues to study with Silver Lotus and Tai Chi for Health instructors, Sifu Brady, Nick Loffree, Grandmaster Nan Lu, and Mimi Kuo-Deemer. She teaches Yang and Sun styles.

Martrise is a retired Network Analyst from NYC. Martrise relocated to Delaware in 2005, where she started study of Tai Chi/ Qigong with Silver Lotus. Martrise had Chair Tai Classes at the Cheer center from 2012-2014. She teaches a Parkinson’s group on Tuesdays at the Rehoboth YMCA 02:00-03:00 pm and a Chair Tai Chi at Brandywine in Rehoboth on Wednesdays 01:30-02:30. Martrise is certified in Tai Chi Arthritis, Diabetes. Energy 1&2 was certified 2014 by Dr.Paul Lam . She also studies Yang style short form with Deborah Davies at UUSD.

Maryann is a retired middle school teacher who relocated to the Lewes area in 2011. She attended classes for Tai Chi for Health with Susan Hamadock and discovered a program for health and wellness that fit into her lifestyle. Maryann is certified in the Yang Style 24 Form from Silver Lotus Institute and plans to continue her practice and training in various forms of Tai Chi for Health, including Qigong and Tai Chi for Diabetes.

Ellen Provost is an avid Tai Chi player. She fell in love with Tai Chi when she was first introduced to it over 20 years ago. After taking a break to work and raise children, she gratefully renewed her practice, first taking classes and then completing the Silver Lotus and Tai Chi for Health certifications. The energy of the human body has been of great interest to her. She completed Reiki III in 2011 and has studied Healing Touch, Quantum Touch, and Eden Energy Medicine. Ellen loves nature and is an enthusiastic gardener, kayaker, and hiker. What could be better than practicing Tai Chi as the sun rises over the creek behind her house? Annoying her friends and family by telling them she has never been bored is a favorite pastime. Sometimes she likes doing nothing, just being. Other times she fills the days with reading, knitting, crocheting, making jewelry, cooking, or spending time with her loving family. Life truly is good. Even better with Tai Chi. And that is why Ellen wants to share her love of Tai Chi with others.

Lynda had her first experience with Tai Chi in 2008 when she was looking for an exercise program to do with her mom. After moving to Lewes in 2017 she started attending classes with Silver Lotus and decided to pursue certification. Lynda is certified with Tai Chi for Health Institute and Silver Lotus Training Institute. Lynda’s professional background is in social work and she loves how tai chi allows her to continue helping others improve their health and wellness.

Linda is a fourth degree Black Belt and Master Instructor in both Tae Kwon Do and Haidong Gumdo (Korean Sword). She has been teaching martial arts for over 15 years. Her journey with Tai Chi began almost 20 years ago in Virginia, and she has continued her practice here in Delaware with Silver Lotus Training Institute, where she recently received her Tai Chi instructor certification.

Marci is a certified and Registered Yoga Teacher with the Yoga Alliance and is certified in Tai Chi for Arthritis and Tai Chi for Diabetes and Tai Chi for Energy with Tai Chi for Health Institute. She is certified to teach Beginning Tai Chi with Silver Lotus Training Institute. She has taught at Silver Lotus and Cancer Support Community Delaware since 2010.

Gary is a retired RN and has been practicing Tai Chi since 1987. He has previously worked with masters in Austin, TX and Denver CO, and is currently studying with instructors from Silver Lotus Training Institute in Lewes DE and Master Mearl Thompson in PA. He is certified by Silver Lotus in Qigong and Beginner Tai Chi Forms and by Dr. Lam's Tai Chi for Health Institute in Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention. Gary is also a Reiki master practitioner and a woodworker making bowls. His passion for TaiChi Chi stems from his initial Tai Chi experience where he developed better coordination, balance, strength and energy. As his practice developed he gained confidence and a positive sense of well being. His desire is to share the Tai Chi experience and help others to develop in similar ways.

Gretchen is a retired first-grade teacher who began her Tai Chi journey because she was interested in finding a way to relieve stress and improve her flexibility and balance. Through learning and practicing Tai Chi, she was able not only to improve her health but also found great joy in the practice. Gretchen wanted to share the joy with others and attended programs to become certified to teach. She is certified by Silver Lotus in the teaching of Qigong and Beginning Tai Chi forms. She is also certified by Dr. Paul Lam in the teaching of Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention and Seated Tai Chi for Arthritis.

Marty’s interest in Tai Chi was piqued while traveling abroad. He has since dedicated much time to exploring and studying this ancient martial art. He finds the fluid motion meditative and it has added to his creativity, especially as a professional musician. Marty tries to instill these spiritual elements of peace and balance into his classes, so that others may come to enjoy more harmony in their lives.