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This Fall I share with you an article
written by Bill Douglas, the founder of World T'ai Chi and
Qigong Day, which appeared recently in "Health News Digest".
He gives us some food for thought about the health benefits
of practicing T'ai Chi Ch'uan. The title is "The Perfect
Exercise".
"T'ai Chi & Qigong have exploded
across the media landscape recently. Time Magazine in an article
on Tai Chi benefits called Tai Chi "the perfect exercise."
While The Wall Street Journal recently did a front page lifestyle
story entitled "[Qigong] The Next Yoga: A Sweat Free Workout
? Tiger Woods' Secret Weapon?" So, why all the buzz on Tai
Chi & Qigong? Partly because today's high stressed fast moving
population is seeking, not only health & fitness, but serenity.
Serenity may sound superficial in today's busy world, but
that aspect of Tai Chi, may be why it is increasingly utilized
in healthcare, corporate wellness, education, and even in
prison and drug rehabilitation programs.
The current hubbub about Tai Chi
& Qigong may be that we are only now seeing the breaking of
a tsunami wave of growing evidence unearthed by western medical
research that has been quietly building for the last decade.
Qigong is a Traditional Chinese medical/health practice that
directly translated means "breathing exercise," or "energy
exercise." Tai Chi is a sophisticated form of moving qigong,
which involves a series of choreographed movements done in
a relaxed and flowing way. Both have gained increasing attention
by western medical researchers in the last decade that has
been gaining steam, and resulted in more research dollars
going toward discovering their benefits. The National Institute
of Mental Health has increased funding to further research
these ancient, yet modem, health techniques.
A couple of such study's findings,
one a ten year study through Harvard, Yale, and Emory Universities,
stunned researchers when they discovered that the gentle,
slow, relaxing, low impact Tai Chi improved the balance of
practitioners profoundly, reducing their risk of falling by
47.5%. Another found that Tai Chi offered significant cardiovascular
benefits, roughly the same benefits as moderate impact aerobics.
Yet, another study sited in the Hawaii Medical Journal asserted
that Tai Chi increased breathing capacity and relieved back
and neck aches in practitioners.
The pain relief and low impact
aspects of Tai Chi was good news for everyone, but offered
even more hope for those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis
(RA). Tai Chi being a weight bearing exercise offered the
potential advantages of stimulating bone growth and strengthening
connective tissue. The only concern was if they (RA sufferers)
could handle a weight bearing exercise without exacerbation
of joint symptoms. The American Journal of Physical Medicine
and Rehabilitation reported on a study that found RA sufferers
practicing a specially tailored form of Tai Chi suffered "no"
significant exacerbation of joint symptoms. This was great
news, not just for RA sufferers but for all maturing baby
boomers looking for a health regimen that is kind to the joints.
Surprisingly, given its gentle
nature, Tai Chi burns a significant amount of calories as
well, 280 per hour. To understand how significant this is,
realize that down?hill skiing bums about 350 per hour. Yet,
Tai Chi is gentle enough to be done in business clothes in
the office without even breaking a sweat. Which is one reason
Tai Chi and Qigong are increasingly being used in corporate
wellness programs. However, there are perhaps even more important
reasons Tai Chi is being used, not only in corporate wellness,
but health care, education, and even prisons and drug rehabilitation
institutions.
Tai Chi provides a grouping of
benefits that helps: reduce productivity losses in employees;
may reduce health care costs preemptively; enable students
to focus; and also empower those rehabilitating from drug
abuse, etc;. to evolve more healthy productive lifestyles.
This is the result of mood homeostasis Tai Chi practice fosters.
The Journal of Psychosomatic Research reports a Tai Chi study's
findings, "[Test Subjects] reported less tension, depression,
anger, fatigue, confusion and state?anxiety; they felt more
vigorous, and in general they had less total mood disturbance.
Given that 70 to 85% of illness
sending patients to the doctor are rooted in unmanaged stress,
and that U.S. business is estimated to be losing upwards of
$300 billion annually due to unmanaged stress, Tai Chi's potential
mood-stabilizing benefits are gaining increasing attention.
Also in education, the rise in ADD and ADHD symptoms in our
nation's youth, has peaked interest in Tai Chi by some education
professionals. This may be partly due to a recent study from
the University of Miami School of Medicine finding that Tai
Chi provided substantial symptom reduction in students suffering
from Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
In light of the multi-dimensional
benefits these ancient health practices offer, which are now
being validated by modem health research, Time Magazine's
description of Tai Chi as "the perfect exercise," may be a
very accurate description for this ancient mind/body health
technique."
FALL WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
We have, as usual, a good lineup
of workshops this fall at Peaceful Wolf. Take advantage of
these opportunities if you possibly can.
August 14 to 17 - San Shou Intensive
taught by Dr. Jay Dunbar and Kathleen Cusick. An essential
practice for students who have reached Intermediate 2 or beyond.
August 31 - Peaceful Wolf Summer
Party at Waterford Country School. Pot luck and bring
family, children and friends. Check with David for directions
and details.
September 27 - SPECIAL A workshop
on the Five Elements and The Five Animal Frolics This
will be held at the Lymes' Senior Center and will be focused
for my senior students. It is, however, open to anyone interested
in learning more about this premiere qigong practice. See
Flyer.
October Saturdays - I will teach
the Intermediate Yin Yang Medical Qigong from Master
Jiang, Jian Ye. Another wonderful qigong. See flyer.
Classics Class - Master Wu,
Yu Xiang's classic is taking considerable time to absorb
so this class will have a Part 2. It will continue at 6:00
on Thursdays and you could join that class next session even
if you have not taken the first part. See David.
November 8, 22 and December 13
- The first three of the 48 posture Yang Form Intensives.
The balance will be offered after the first of the year. These
workshops can make a major difference in your understanding
of the postures you know in the form and the flow of your
form. See flyer.
AND watch for the announcement
of another opportunity to learn and practice the Wei Qigong!
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