Newsletter #84 - August 2008

In this issue:

-- From me to you, Dr Paul Lam
-- My Tai Chi Tour, by Dr Paul Lam
-- My Journey on the Road to Health and Harmony, by Jef Morris
-- How the Scholarship has Benefited me, by Norma Ferrell
-- Is Tai Chi a Spiritual Practice, by Robyn Malby
-- Tai Chi: Spiritual Vitamins, by Dahlis Roy
-- The Effects of Tai Chi on a friend with MS (Multiple Sclerosis), by Tony Garcia
-- Humour, Laughter and Radiant Health, by Bob McBrien

Click on the title above to read the articles, this link to read all previous newsletters and here to subscribe.

Hello everyone,

I had the honour of conducting a tai chi workshop and presenting a seminar at Europe's oldest university, the University of Bologna, in June 2008. It is so appropriate to have an ancient art of China, Tai Chi, being taught at a University where the history goes back nearly 1000 years. My Tai Chi colleague, Dr Mauro Stegagno, a cardiologist, told me that it's library is so extensive and ancient that the librarian often discovers priceless antique books from some ‘dark corner’. Join me for a quick tour of my trip around the world.

My new book Tai Chi for Diabetes – Living Well with Diabetes, co-written with Dr Pat Phillips is now available. The incidence of Diabetes is increasing around the world. The book contains much diabetes information, comprehensive instructions and photos of the program Tai Chi for Diabetes. We hope you can use it to help people with diabetes to improve their wellness and quality of life.

In this newsletter

• A kaleidoscope of my recent tour.

• Exerts from Jef Morris' talk at the June One Week Workshop in the USA.

• As a scholarship recipient at the June One Week Workshop, Norma Ferrell tells us what the workshop meant to her. The one week January workshop in Sydney will again be offering scholarships, contact us for more information.

Dr Lam receives a volunteer award from the Mayor of Hurstville on behalf of hi Better Health Tai Chi Chaun

• Carrying on from last month’s theme of the spiritual aspect of Tai Chi, we have two more articles by our American contributors, Robyn Malby and Dahlis Roy.

• Tony Garcia, a recent contributer to our newsletter, tells us a remarkable story of his friend who, like him, suffers from MS.

• Dr McBrien returns after the June workshop with his dose of humour

This month's special:

Buy the Tai Chi for Arthritis, Tai Chi for Arthritis Part II and Sun style 73 Forms instructional DVDs and you will receive three wall charts free: Tai Chi for Arthritis, Tai Chi for Arthritis II (NEW) and the 1-2-3 warm up and cooling down exercises worth USD $19.50 or AUD $ 26.85. Limit one order per person. Click here for more information or to place your order.

This month’s free music CD goes to:-

RicB, Bozeman, Montana, USA, who comments about a TCA instructors’ workshop he attended:

"I was impressed by the quality of the material and the professional manner in which it was presented as well as the quality of the other candidates that were there to learn. If I can speak for the group, I think we all came away with tangible learning and will all be better off for our participation in this workshop. I particularly liked the emphasis on teaching, and how to teach. Dr. Lam's Stepwise Progressive teaching method is very good and takes what most good teachers have been doing intuitively and boils it down to a simple methodology which any one can incorporate into their teaching. The emphasis on how to teach to the targeted population was very good as well. This arena of how to teach is sometimes overlooked, and I was very glad it was front and centre in this program."

Ric, please contact our office at service@taichiproductions.com with your physical address to claim your free Music CD.

Upcoming Workshops:

Dr Lam at the Tai Chi for Osteoporsis Workshop 2008

August 21-22, Sydney, Australia
Therapeutic Tai Chi Instructors’ Training workshop

August 30-31, Wellington, New Zealand
Tai Chi for Diabetes, Instructors Training workshop

Sept 13-14, Sydney, Australia
- Tai Chi for Arthritis, Instructors training workshop
- Tai Chi for Osteoporosis, Instructors Training workshop

October 25 - 26, Stockholm, Sweden
Tai Chi for Arthritis, Exploring the Depth workshop

October 31 - November 2, Morristown, NJ, United States
Tai Chi Arthritis, Exploring the Depth workshop

November 8 - 9, Ivoryton, CT, United States
Tai Chi Arthritis, Exploring the Depth workshop

November 15 - 16, Kansas City, MO, United States
Tai Chi for Arthritis, Exploring the Depth workshop

November 17 - 18, Kansas City, MO, United States

Tai Chi 4 Kidz Instructors Training Workshop

November 22 – 23, Miami, FL, United States
Therapeutic Tai Chi Instructors’ Training workshop

December 7 - 8, Orlando, FL,United States
Tai Chi for Back Pain, Instructors Training

For more information about these and other workshops conducted by my authorised master trainers, go to the Workshop Calendar

Yours in Tai Chi,

Paul Lam, M.D.

http://www.taichiproductions.com

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My Tai Chi Tour

by Dr Paul Lam

One of the most exciting times of my life is spent travelling around different countries and meeting many wonderfully caring people. On my tours I conduct workshops, give public talks and meet organisations and researchers who are interested in bringing Tai Chi to help people. I will post a few photos about the places I visited this time to share the beauty and energy of each place.

This year I started with a workshop and a presentation at the Australian Rheumatologist Association’s annual conference in Adelaide, Australia. I have worked with many health professionals and Tai Chi teachers. There was so much interest in the community that Channel Nine News and the Adelaide Advertiser featured both the Tai Chi 4 Kidz and Tai Chi for Osteoporosis programs. My colleagues and I are looking forward to seeing the development of both programs.

From there I went to Singapore to conduct a Tai Chi for Osteoporosis workshop and a public talk. I met with the Minister of State, Mr Heng, Chairman and CEO of the Council of Third Age about bringing Tai Chi nationally to older people in Singapore. Singapore is a vibrant city, and I was inspired by the energetic, industrious and visionary people I met and worked with.

After Singapore I conducted a Tai Chi for Arthritis workshop in Zurich, Switzerland. It is certainly one of the most beautiful and cleanest cities in the world, also one of the most expensive! A simple noodle meal costs at least twice as much as that in Sydney. We then visited Rome before going to Bologna, Europe’s oldest university for a workshop and seminar for health professionals. After that I had the most interesting experience visiting my friend and Master Trainer, Roberto Crea’s parents’ beach house in Reggio. Over the last 30 years, Mr Crea (now aged 86) has built a beach house from large stones, practically with his bare hands. He made wine with the grapes he grew there and he reared chickens. Mr Crea is a man with a big heart, he opens his beach house for others to enjoy the beautiful blue sea and nature. Take a good look at the photos!

From Italy I went to Massachusetts, USA, for the Tai Chi @ Work preconference and the one week June annual workshop. Mt Holyoke College is voted one of the most beautiful campus in USA. Although it was an intense time for me working with 150 people, I did enjoy the wonderful Tai Chi spirit and friendship there but did not take many photos. Here I want to give my best wishes and thanks to all my friends and colleagues who were at the workshop.

My trip ended with a family wedding in New York City; I then conducted a special class for my wife’s friends in Los Angeles; and met up with my old Tai Chi friend and ex Master Trainer, the co author of my book Tai chi for Beginners, Nancy Kaye and her partner Lou Satz in San Francisco, before returning home. It was a trip full of memories, wonderful people and places.

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My Journey on The Road to Health and Harmony
By Jef Morris, Master Trainer

On the Road to Health and Harmony, we have come to know some things have great value. Walking this path with Paul Lam, we have come to appreciate the Essential Principle of making transitions with an upright posture to restore balance. Balancing excesses and deficiencies, using what is strong to improve that which has become weak.

I have been on the Road, and for a while the travel did make my body weak, it was very subtle. I became impatient, intolerant, and very tired. It took months for me to realize, not only had my body become weak, so too had my mind. This was a real shock, but the truth of it could not be denied.

And Paul’s advice to me was to bring it in,...

So I went home, and began to make peace with this land, to make peace with the seeds from this land, to make peace with the karma of this land. It also became quite clear I needed to absorb that which would more than restore, but that which would sustain growth.

The Ancestors have said, what you do and what happens to you are the same thing.
So to make peace with this land, I went to the very core of the beginning of my practice, to the fundamentals. To practice Tai Chi is to share Tai Chi. I found myself with some of our returning soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan, only a fraction of the 1.5 million US lives that have served, and returned shaken and stirred. Tai Chi, we believe may help them with their mental time travel, and cope with the present stress of life.

We just received our funding approval for a clinical research study at the University of Miami on the effects Tai Chi for Health may have on smoking cessation. I know for some this is a stretch. But smoking like all of our cravings and desires are the basis of our excesses and our deficiencies.

When Paul speaks of the great depth of Tai Chi when we apply the Essential Principles, Paul inspires us to develop the wisdom to apply what you know, at the right time, and in the right way. Practice and verification are an essential aspect of our training. One could consider practice and verification like the flow of a river, turning boulders into pebbles and sand.

Master Chao Chen said it well when he spoke of The Holy Light:
If the sun did not rise from the east, and the valleys became mountains, we could still find our way, by the light we see from our heart.

If time erased all memory that we have, we would still know the way that would lead us to where we are from, and where to go.

If the Big Dipper disappeared, but the light that we see from our heart will shine there forever.

If the seas run dry, and the forests turn wild and the story we have made, also faded away, only this beautiful light will still remain.

With Truth, comes Health,
With Health, comes Happiness,
With Happiness, comes Peace,
With Peace, comes Kindness,
With Kindness, comes Harmony,
With Harmony, comes Wisdom.

On the road to health and harmony, there is no stopping, no starting; only doing.

Dr. Lam has given us many great gifts, planted many seeds, and built many bridges.
It is up to us to nurture these gifts, for on the road you never know what, or who you might find.

I say to you, I am ever so grateful, I found you.

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How the Scholarship has Benefited me

By Norma Ferrell

What I have taken with me from my first workshop experience is the intention to teach and play Tai Chi with love to promote health and harmony. Dr. Lam and everyone involved in his program taught with love, compassion and many outstanding qualities. I hold in my heart all of their teachings, creative expressions and genuine goodness. It is wonderful to be a part of a team and Tai Chi family . I understand what my teacher meant when she said “I am not preparing you for the final presentation. I am preparing you for what you take with you.” Thank you!

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Is Tai Chi a Spiritual Practice?

By Robin Malby, Master Trainer

It is easy to list the many gains one obtains while developing a personal Tai Chi practice. Stronger muscles, more flexibility, better balance, increased energy, a sense of relaxation. These are the benefits I stress to new beginning students in my tai chi classes. These students return week after week, diligently practicing in order to attain this level of health improvement I have promised. But what else keeps them coming?

What is the magic inside Tai Chi that attracts so many, hooks them, and keeps them on the journey often for a lifetime? It is more than learning to do a Sun Style Parry and Punch with fluid balance. It is more than being able to memorize an entire complicated set or finally kick with steady control. There is an essence, a flavor if you will, that is uniquely inherent to Tai Chi and it draws people in.

I noticed it the first time I tried a Tai Chi class when I did an Open and Close. Just Open and Close, nothing else. My belly filled, the centers of my palms heated up, and my whole body instantly expanded. I traveled somewhere in that moment, somewhere deeper than tissue and bone and blood vessel. I lingered briefly in a comfortable plane that reminded me of a pond pausing between ripples. That tranquil, smooth as glass, this-is-truly-who-I-am place we all yearn for when our lives feel off kilter or disconnected.

After a month of Tai Chi my husband noticed a change. I was calmer, more positive, filled with energy. Several months later friends began to say, “What’s different about you?” My face was relaxed, I laughed more. I experienced bursts of inexplicable confidence. Was it all that grounding and abdominal breathing? Could Tai Chi really be the catalyst for so much?

I embraced the delights of this journey and began teaching. I observed my own students during the warm ups, forms like Commencement, Open and Close and short meditations I directed at the end of the hour. Faces that arrived at the beginning of class lined with fatigue and worry looked peaceful and softer by the closing. Smiles grew wider. Bonding developed. Some people started to hug, pat shoulders, and share feelings they had not previously felt comfortable revealing to others. If a meditation felt particularly powerful, tears quietly flowed down cheeks.

Now into my tenth year of deepening into my Tai Chi forms, I ask myself what other insights have bubbled to the surface. I can honestly say I am more aware of how powerful the spoken word is. I think more carefully about what I say to others. Tai Chi supports our body and our soul. Do my words support others? Or do they tear down? Tai Chi teaches us to build that strong foundation and to help others do the same.

I like to think I was never a harshly judgmental person, but the more I practice Tai Chi the more I am aware of subtle judgments buried inside. Tai Chi slowly peels these away. As I immerse myself in the breath, the rivers flowing, and the connection to earth and sky, my heart opens. How good it feels to embrace the differences in others. Why point fingers unless we have walked in similar shoes? We truly are one, each doing the best we can.

So is Tai Chi a spiritual practice? How can it NOT be? It is a subtle, expanding, life changing and inspirational gift. A gift we give to ourselves each time we do a form as “simple” as Open and Close.

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Tai Chi: Spiritual Vitamins

by Dahlis Roy

“I practiced Tai Chi on a beach by the ocean. The sand felt so good, and the sky was washed with clouds.” Therese turned to me, her eyes wide, “That’s spiritual vitamins!” Joanna thinks, “Our body is like a fine piano that needs tuning. Tai Chi helps to bring that piano back in tune.” My son, Rob, feels Tai Chi uses “Internal and external stretching, you stretch beyond the limits of what you already know.” Tai Chi practice and teaching jump started my painting to reach new brightness of vibrant light and color.

Climb the Tai Chi Mountain
I practice Tai Chi daily as a pathway to open awareness and communication, verbal and nonverbal. When you invite a positive change in your life, you invite others to join you. Generating unselfish energy with mindful intent, Tai Chi practice can help you achieve goals. You begin to see fresh opportunities in your daily life. Positive intent represents Yin nurturing force while events and people returning to you are active Yang energy. Tai Chi practice balances Yang’s strength and Yin’s yielding to create a harmony of work, play, and rest.

Tai Chi Morning
Recently, I retired from many happy years of Tai Chi teaching to deepen my creative adventure of writing and painting. Was I surprised when a new friend, Jade Lotus, from Taiwan appeared! For thirty years I have been searching for the right teacher to help me with Chinese brush calligraphy. My teacher is here! We also practice Tai Chi together with a group in the morning. Louise, an R.N., adds, Tai Chi is a “blueprint for unlimited possibilities, a plan without boundaries.” Tai Chi is intuition to fruition, vision to achievement!

*Paraphrased from an upcoming book by Dahlis Roy about a painted Tai Chi journey with a mystic twist.

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Effects of Tai Chi on a friend with MS, Multiple Sclerosis
By Tony Garcia

My friend's name is Luis Cortes, 6ft, 185 lbs. Diagnosed with MS over 6 years ago. We met for a private lesson and started talking about the health benefits of Tai Chi and how my health was and finally, he asked; where do we go from here? We started in a standing ready position with legs spread shoulder width and arms by his side. I told him to close his eyes and scan his body to feel for any possible tension. MS has given him problems with his walking (stiffness/spasms) and balance problems. At work, he could stand by the fax or copy machines for no longer than 5 to 10 minutes before his legs would start getting weak forcing him to sit and have his secretary finish the job. When he would go to the gas station to fuel up his car, his legs would feel too tired to stay standing in line. This created a feeling of despair, fear and frustration.

Tony's friend, Luis, who has improved his quality of life through Tai Chi

Besides this, his sleep pattern was constantly interrupted by muscle spasms and constant troublesome thoughts. We met at his house and began to practice outside by his yard in the shade. We worked two weeks on the entire warm ups and some Qigong, relaxing the arm for the neck exercises, balancing the legs with the hip exercises followed by the knees and ankles. After the two weeks we began the TCA 12 movement form. We began with the raising and lowering of arms. We focused on releasing the tension from the very beginning as the arms were lowered and raised. Inhaling rising, exhaling lowering while palms faced each other. While doing this, I had him focus on raising the left heel as the arms lowered.

I continued; teaching the step forward with his left leg heel first, then feeling the earth with the sole of his foot. I only met with him one hour a week. I explained that the more he practiced, the better the results. He continued practicing 2 to 3 times a week at home following Dr. Lam’s TCA DVD. After his second class, he began to feel the tingling (chi) in the palms of his hands. This was a great sign. He started to become aware of what his body was feeling. It was the beginning of his journey in the world of Tai Chi and Qigong.

I could see by his facial expressions that the movements were feeling more comfortable as he started gaining control over each of his movements. His leg tremors were less and less as he focused on what the next movement would be. I have not heard from him until recently. I asked him where he had been. His reply was, Tony, I have been too busy working. Luis has been feeling better ever since and incorporates Tai Chi in his everyday living. Below are the email's that were sent to me with his testimony.

February 19
Good morning Tony, this is Luis Cortes and this is my e-mail at work. I am still setting up an email for home. Let me tell you, got up this morning and I swear I felt different. More secure, felt more stable and I found it easier to walk. I can’t wait to get home to practice and I am looking forward to next Monday!!
Thanks again,
Luis Cortes

March 3
Great session today!!!!! I have noticed since the first session that I woke up the next day and my body felt strange. I got to work and was able to go up the stairs without holding on to the hand rails. There was no fatigue, it was easier to walk down the stairs and I was able to stand for longer periods of time. I stood for over an hour. I never thought this would happen. In the evening I fell into a very deep peaceful sleep

.
I have regained the feeling in the bottom of my feet and at times feel the (MS) IS SLOWLY SLIPPING AWAY. I also feel more at peace with myself and I can’t wait for the next session. I am looking forward to making this a way of life. I think we are on to something here at last.
Thanks Tony
Luis Cortes

March 11
After our completion of week 3 and starting week 4, I have experienced the following last Sunday. I was able to take my 100lb plus Labrador dog for a twelve block walk for the first time in 5 Years. I no longer feel like sleeping for long periods of time. My sleep is deep and relaxing and when I awake I am ready to get up and do something productive, not just sit around. I am cutting back on smoking and when I get the urge I get up and begin to practice the moves and this takes the urge away. I also noticed that after each class I feel better and better as the days go by. I am no longer scared of getting out of my truck to go buy something and worrying about standing in line for long periods of time. Looking forward to week 5, THANKS AGAIN TONY!!!!! LUIS CORTES

March 25
Good morning, just some personal observations, I have noticed that mentally I am much more focused on the things I do. For example as you know I am a sales rep for a flower importer and for the last two months my sales have increased by $60.000.00 from last year. Out of 7 sales people I was the only one to have an increase in sales. I no longer fear or worry about things that could happen. I deal with situations as they come and if I can control it I will. If I have no control, I will not let this disrupt my peace of mind. Looking forward to our next session!! THANKS AGAIN TONY, LUIS CORTES

April 15
After being off for two weeks and not really practicing it was good to get back to our weekly sessions. I had a great night sleep (before I was not sleeping well). I woke up not feeling tired, my legs feel very strong and my whole body feels very centred. Looking forward to our next session!!! Thanks again TONY. Luis Cortes.

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Humor, Laughter and Radiant Health
by Dr. Bob McBrien

Meeting old friends and making new friends is one of the high points of the June Workshop. On several occasions new friends told me how much they enjoyed reading my humor essays in this newsletter. It is good to know that my goal of promoting the sharing of health humor is being achieved.

A common remark was how much the humor from children was appreciated. In their innocence children are able to see the variety of “punch lines” in their day. Or a child’s view on life is perceived by adults as funny. What a wonderful opportunity to practice using “beginner’s mind” when we are able to laugh with a child. Here are a few more examples of how children brighten our day.

A physician told this story about her then four-year-old daughter. On the way to preschool, the doctor had left her stethoscope on the car seat, and her little girl picked it up and began playing with it. Be still, my heart, thought the doctor, my daughter wants to follow in my footsteps!
Then the child spoke into the instrument: "Welcome to McDonald's. May I take your order?"

One day a guy was driving with his four-year-old daughter and beeped his car horn by mistake. She turned and looked at him for an explanation.
He said, "I did that by accident."
She replied, "I know that, Daddy."
He replied, "How'd you know?"
The girl said, "Because you didn't say 'JERK' afterwards!"

It was the end of the day when the policeman parked his police van in front of the station. As he gathered his equipment, his K-9 partner, Jake, was barking, and the cop saw a young boy staring in at the dog. "Is that a dog you got back there!?" he asked.
"It sure is,” the cop replied.
Puzzled, the boy looked at the cop and then towards the back of the van. Finally he said, "What'd he do?"

A 3 year old boy’s reply, when his mother told him his shoes were on the wrong feet
Don't kid me, Mum; I know they're my feet."

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END OF NEWSLETTER
Warning: Dr. Lam does not necessarily endorse the opinion of other authors. Before practicing any program featured in this newsletter, please check with your physician or therapist. The authors and anyone involved in the production of this newsletter will not be held responsible in any way whatsoever for any injury which may arise as a result of following the instructions given in this newsletter.

Ask Dr Lam - you can ask me anything about tai chi here.

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