“…Dr. Lam, perhaps more than anyone else on the planet, has been a force in expanding Tai Chi and Qigong into modern healthcare at all levels–has enabled modern healthcare to un-grip from its past of discounting Eastern wisdom, and reform itself into something new and larger, where Eastern and Western wisdom can join hands for the betterment of society. In some ways, all Tai Chi teacher’s working in hospitals are riding on the shoulders of Paul’s early work…In his book, Dr. Lam talks about how he resisted naming his school after himself, because he didn’t want it to be a cult of personality, but a way to expand Tai Chi knowledge into the world, enabling it to be owned by many. Our work organizing World Tai Chi Day events worldwide, which has included the participation of Paul and many teachers Paul Lam trained, seeks to follow Dr. Lam’s vision, empowering the entire world to see Tai Chi as “their thing” and even further expanding these amazing treasures from Chinese culture throughout the world.

Paul Lam’s amazing story about how Tai Chi healed him from a hard life of challenges, and enabled him to flower into an internationally recognized Tai Chi expert and trainer whose work has literally helped millions directly or indirectly, is a microcosmic example of what is possible for the world. We can evolve from our past, and blossom into something beautiful and extraordinary–just as Paul Lam has done with his amazing life. — Bill Douglas, Founder of World Tai Chi & Qigong Day, 2009 Inductee to the Internal Arts Hall of Fame, and author of “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to T’ai Chi & Qigong”

“This is the story of . . . a man who has to rise above the chasm of death and impossible odds to turn the centuries-old esoteric Oriental art of Tai Chi into a Western-science-and-medicine-based system of healthcare that has deeply touched the lives of millions. It is a fable of humility, struggle, and heartbreak, but above all, of selfless sacrifice, unconditional love, staunch courage, and unwavering tenacity. An inspirational read . . .”— Andy Choo PhD FAA., Professor of biomedical genetics, University of Melbourne and Murdoch Childrens Research Institute; Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science; Tai Chi teacher and researcher

A reader’s reaction, by Eileen Bandcroft

I received the signed copy of “Born Strong” yesterday.  I read it in one sitting!! I found it incredibly inspiring and deeply, deeply moving partly I suspect because, like your beautiful Aunt, I too raised an abandoned child, in much less difficult conditions,but nevertheless when you spoke of your Aunt I had a deep sense of the love she felt for you just as I do for my granddaughter who I have raised since the age of six when her Mum died and her Dad abandoned her.  She was my reason for living at that time and since then has been the jewel in the crown of my life.  Unconditional love is unconditional love whatever the circumstances and my belief is that special children l

ike you  are sent to teach those of us who are privileged to raise you, many lessons not least of all the “gifts of the darkness” and also that the flame of hope is always there deep within us if we have the courage to believe.

I am so grateful that ACC chose Tai Chi for Health to be their falls prevention modality as without that happening there is no way I would be part of the tai chi family and have the gift of teaching tai chi in my life and to you I am grateful for your courage and determination to bring Tai Chi for Health to the World.

Congratulations on the wonderful book.  I hope it sells hugely worldwide so that people can be touched and inspired in the way that I have been.

Eileen Bandcroft, Instructor, Pukekohe, New Zealand

You can read more reviews on Amazon, and place your own review there.

2.   Responsibility

I realised in my twenties that I needed to take responsibility for my own health.  With crippling arthritis I could have relied entirely on drugs to keep me relatively pain free.  It took dedication to establish a major improvement through tai chi, but on the way I learned that keeping physical and mental balance in my life was the best way to cope with the condition, as well as most matters in my life. 

As I develop, I take more responsibility for my actions.  Whenever something goes wrong, I make a great effort not to blame the circumstances and other people, not even the weather! Blaming anything including myself does not help me to get to a better place, it is a waste of time; it might sooth my insecurity for a little while but does not help it at all. I find it more helpful to focus on analysing the situation rationally, what was done well and what can be improved. Very importantly to develop inner strength which would reduce insecurity.

I also learned to be responsible for my reaction to other’s actions. For example, when someone makes a racially discriminative remark, I hold my anger and make a great effort to keep my mind balanced. If that person means to upset me and if I become angry, he or she controls me. If it was an innocent mistake, I would have got upset for nothing, worse still, an angry reaction would harm my relationship with that person. It is my responsibility to stay calm and find the most rational way to deal with the situation ….   (More in the book)

Links to Free Tai Chi Lessons– be sure to check with your health professional before you start

• If you are looking for the best exercise for the body and mind in 15 minuste; try Tai Chi for Beginners 
• Or you something more challenging for the same reason; try Tai Chi for Energy
• If you are a person with arthritis, fibromyalgia, MS, stroke or most other chronic conditions; try Tai Chi for Arthritis

For more Free Tai Chi lessons please visit Dr Lam’s instructional DVD and books.

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