Newsletter #124 - December 2011
- Terre Haute and Chi, Ron Blakenship
- Accentuate the Positive, Mae Lovell
- A Book Review by Margaret Boehm: “Along the Rolling River”
- Tai Chi and Parkinson’s, Sang Myeong Cheong
- Accentuate the Positive, Mae Lovell
- A Book Review by Margaret Boehm: “Along the Rolling River”
- Tai Chi and Parkinson’s, Sang Myeong Cheong
- Humour, Laughter and Radiant Health, Bob McBrien
Click on the title above to read the articles, this link to read all previous newsletters and here to subscribe.
Click on the title above to read the articles, this link to read all previous newsletters and here to subscribe.
I have just returned from my world tour and I would like to thank all the wonderful facilitators and participants who
made it so enjoyable. I met so many old friends and made many more new ones. Some had inspirational stories about how they have overcome the odds to introduce tai chi to their townships. It was so wonderful to see everyone from the Tai Chi for Health Institute community working seamlessly together, to bring Tai Chi for Health to as many people as possible. This was especially evident during my workshop tours.
made it so enjoyable. I met so many old friends and made many more new ones. Some had inspirational stories about how they have overcome the odds to introduce tai chi to their townships. It was so wonderful to see everyone from the Tai Chi for Health Institute community working seamlessly together, to bring Tai Chi for Health to as many people as possible. This was especially evident during my workshop tours.Being "on the road", of course, means eating out most of the time. I had many excellent meals, from fine dining with friends, to standing on the sidewalk by myself in San Francisco eating freshly cooked Dungeness crab from a street vendor. I am reminded of Sir Clement Freud, an English broadcaster, writer, politician and chef. He was influential in changing the face of restaurant dining in the United Kingdom. Insisting that chefs should cook what people wanted rather than the dishes they preferred to serve. He would often go into a five star restaurant and order dessert, a main course and a starter - in that order! Our Tai Chi for Health programs follow this philosophy. Participants can study one form in depth or several forms just for fun. Our trainers offer a range of classes, from basic to advanced and it is entirely up to the "diner" to select their own menu. We call this 'user orientated'.
Balance is an integral part of tai chi, both the physical and mental. It is important to find balance in your own life. I made time in San Francisco to take a Segway tour of the city and the Segway is perfect for tai chi practitioners. Gyroscopes within the two wheeled machine detect changes in mass, the rider shifts weight to steer and maintains balance. Tai chi keeps me fit and healthy despite my arthritis. I am able to enjoy activities alongside much younger people.
made time in San Francisco to take a Segway tour of the city and the Segway is perfect for tai chi practitioners. Gyroscopes within the two wheeled machine detect changes in mass, the rider shifts weight to steer and maintains balance. Tai chi keeps me fit and healthy despite my arthritis. I am able to enjoy activities alongside much younger people. I would like to wish everyone a Happy Christmas and New Year. We are offering a special deal for this month to thank you for your support!
In this Newsletter:
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Dr Lam shares an extract from the revised edition of Teaching Tai Chi Effectively .
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Caroline Demoise talks about creating a vision for tai chi in the future.
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Meghan Bryant talks about putting tai chi into daily life – watch the video and see what a talented and innovative teacher she is.
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Scholarship winner Ron Blakenship tells us about his Terre Haute experience.
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Mae Lovell tells us to accentuate the positive.
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Margaret Boehm reviews “Along the Rolling River.”
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Sang Myeong Cheon talks about tai chi and Parkinson’s.
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Featured Profile – Bill Pickett, Senior Trainer, Knoxville, TN USA.
Christmas Special:
Receive 30% discount on our full range of DVD's. Please quote Coupon Code SPEC1230.
Receive 30% discount on our full range of DVD's. Please quote Coupon Code SPEC1230.
Click here for more information or to place an order.
Upcoming Workshops: by Dr Paul Lam
January 09 - January 14, Sydney, NSW, Australia
One Week Tai Chi Workshop
One Week Tai Chi Workshop
March 10 - March 11, Zhuhai, China
Tai Chi for Arthritis Instructor Training
June 09 - June 10, Memphis, TN, United States
Tai Chi for Energy Instructor Training
June 11 - June 17, Memphis, TN, United States
One Week Tai Chi Workshop
Many other workshops conducted by my authorised master trainers are listed in Workshop Calendar.
Yours in Tai Chi,
Paul Lam, MD
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An Extract from “Teaching Tai Chi Effectively” by Dr Paul Lam
Page 154 - Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an incurable disease of the central nervous system that inflames the myelin and causes plaques or lesions to appear. The brain, spinal cord and optic nerves can be affected. People with MS can have many challenges—especially in controlling some parts of the body—to include; walking, balancing, urinary control, tiredness and muscular weakness. The MS Society of Australia states: “(MS) is often a frustratingly unpredictable disease. Episodes can occur at varying time intervals affecting different areas of the central nervous system.”
plaques or lesions to appear. The brain, spinal cord and optic nerves can be affected. People with MS can have many challenges—especially in controlling some parts of the body—to include; walking, balancing, urinary control, tiredness and muscular weakness. The MS Society of Australia states: “(MS) is often a frustratingly unpredictable disease. Episodes can occur at varying time intervals affecting different areas of the central nervous system.” Hundreds of people are being diagnosed with MS on a daily basis. However, exercise, in addition to being essential for general health and well-being, has been found to be helpful in managing many MS symptoms. A study, published by researchers at the University of Utah in 1996, clearly demonstrated the benefits of exercise for people with MS. The authors found that patients, who participated in an aerobic exercise program, had better cardiovascular fitness, improved strength, better bladder and bowel function, less fatigue and depression, a more positive attitude and increased their participation in social activities.
The guidelines to teaching tai chi to individuals with MS are similar to teaching those with FM and CFS but with more caution for those with MS, as they often have definite neurological symptoms, such as visual impairment, hemiparesis (weakness on one side of the body) and incontinence. Persons with MS who are initiating a new exercise program, should consult with their physician before beginning. Periods of exercise should be carefully timed to avoid the hotter times of the day, and care should be taken to prevent excessive fatigue. Within defined guidelines, a good exercise program can help to develop the maximum potential of muscle, bone and respiration, thereby avoiding secondary complications and gaining the benefits of good health and well-being.
I have used gentle mobilising and strengthening exercises for my MS clients who can’t walk unaided; followed by the simple Tai Chi for Health warm-up exercises. Recently, I got great results for one of my clients. She can now walk unaided, after one month of treatment; walks which she couldn’t do in the past nine months.
(Wilfred Kwok, Tai Chi for Health Master Trainer, Australia)
MS changed the life of Tony Garcia, a Master Trainer for the Tai Chi for Health program in the USA. Searching for wellness, he retired from work, started an MS support group, and took up tai chi. Since he began practicing and teaching tai chi regularly, he has not experienced another MS episode. In January 2010, after more than 20 years since being diagnosed, Tony was able to travel from Miami to Sydney to undergo two weeks of intensive tai chi training and experienced no symptoms of the disease. Tony recommends tai chi instructors, working with people with MS, be well versed on the symptoms and different conditions. This information is available through organizations providing MS support on a national or international level. Additionally, he advocates these precautions:
• Balance - Tai chi walking, with assistance and being aware of weight shifting, as part of the tai chi practice helps to restore confidence and mobility. Assistance can include: a walker, cane, bars on the side of the wall or parallel bars. Caution should always be taken when turning or pivoting both on sitting or standing.
• Limitations - If you are teaching classes strictly for people with MS, where some are in wheelchairs and others are walking, you need more than one instructor to divide the class into two sections. Then, the form can be done with some participants sitting, while others stand and move slowly with small steps.
• Expectations - At the start of the class, participants will often vent about their feelings and symptoms. Listen closely to discover their conditions and limitations.
• Expectations - At the start of the class, participants will often vent about their feelings and symptoms. Listen closely to discover their conditions and limitations.
Tony teaches standing TCA with small steps. He observes that, in some cases, you may see immediate improvement in balance in a matter of weeks. When practicing with people in a wheelchair, he tries to see if they can get out of the chair on their own, before attempting any standing practice.
“Sitting TCA always worked out well in our practice when there are mirrors facing the participants,” notes Tony, “the stretching of the joints, the relaxation in wave hands and the warm-ups is a great addendum to the flow and continuity of the tai chi practice.”
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The 21st century is a good time to instill the intrinsic value of tai chi worldwide, to encourage dedicated practitioners to teach this art to everyone who is willing to learn and to make tai chi available to people from elementary school to the aging retired population. It is important to hold this intention in mind because tai chi is an excellent anti-aging strategy that promotes longevity, increases fitness, and improves the quality of life. Tai chi develops a powerful mind body connection, a laser like focus of attention and brings peace and relaxation to our minds, bodies and relationships. It teaches us how to harmonize with the energy of life.
practitioners to teach this art to everyone who is willing to learn and to make tai chi available to people from elementary school to the aging retired population. It is important to hold this intention in mind because tai chi is an excellent anti-aging strategy that promotes longevity, increases fitness, and improves the quality of life. Tai chi develops a powerful mind body connection, a laser like focus of attention and brings peace and relaxation to our minds, bodies and relationships. It teaches us how to harmonize with the energy of life.I have often wondered why everyone hasn’t discovered the incredible benefits of tai chi. It’s a powerful medicine that’s now getting some real mainstream attention. Physicians are impressed by the results of research validating tai chi’s health benefits. It has even been referred to in a health publication as “medication in motion”. The trend toward simplified traditional forms increases tai chi’s accessibility. Arthritis Foundation’s offer community classes further increasing its visibility. And yet with all this awareness of tai chi’s health benefits, it isn’t the most popular anti-aging, fitness oriented class at your local YMCA, gym or senior center. Why?
One time I had the experience of participating in a tai chi class at a local fitness center, at 6:30pm, a convenient time for working people. The class averaged six students each week. This troubled me because it was a great class. The teacher was knowledgeable, provided a good foundation of warming up exercises, qigong and tai chi walking before form instruction. The teaching style was appealing and the teacher exuded warmth, confidence and humor. And yet the classroom wasn’t packed with eager students.
Like anything truly worthwhile, tai chi isn’t a quick fix or something you can do a few times that changes your life forever. Tai chi takes time to learn, repetition to remember the sequence, focus to develop the balance and flexibility necessary to produce smooth movements and works best when it becomes part of your lifestyle. Not everyone in this fast paced culture wants to commit the time, energy and persistence to find the pearl within the practice. Many people lack the awareness to see the jewel that is in plain sight and everyone rushes past it on their way to somewhere else.
This means we need a marketing strategy to change public awareness and create the practice of tai chi as an integral part of our culture, at the level of importance as brushing your teeth every day or eating good food regularly. Having the intention to get tai chi into the physical education curriculum at every level from elementary, junior high and senior high school to community colleges and universities and into every gym, fitness center, YMCA and senior center in the country is a good place to begin. If you want adults to develop a lifelong habit, teach it in school.
Transforming good practitioners into effective teachers plays a role in having tai chi go viral. Good programs that emphasize an appropriate teaching methodology and emphasize safety for various age populations and chronic conditions will increase the viability of encouraging everyone to learn tai chi regardless of age or current physical condition.
The international tai chi community has a responsibility to do whatever it can to make tai chi visible and capture everyone’s attention to the message that tai chi is a powerful, transformative practice that you can do at home or in the park every day. We have a mission to empower the world with the ancient art of tai chi. Everyone has a part to play and can make a contribution. I invite you to ponder this in your heart and identify how you can make a difference and contribute to the legacy of tai chi in the world.
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Putting Tai Chi into Your Daily Life, Have Ya Tried…?
Meghan Bryant, Senior Trainer, Virginia, USA Link to the video
Meghan Bryant, Senior Trainer, Virginia, USA Link to the video
Many of my students mention to me that they weren’t able to practice, but they wanted to. They just weren’t sure how it goes and they didn’t have time to watch the DVD, so I felt it important to take the guilt away so they did not beat themselves up and get discouraged. I started helping people focus on how they could focus on one thing for the week. As we go through that day’s lesson, I will highlight the new concept for the lesson and/or where they are feeling challenged. For many, the word exercise is daunting and they are resistant to add exercise to their routine, so I then I try to share ways to practice in an everyday activity. Some samples are:
how it goes and they didn’t have time to watch the DVD, so I felt it important to take the guilt away so they did not beat themselves up and get discouraged. I started helping people focus on how they could focus on one thing for the week. As we go through that day’s lesson, I will highlight the new concept for the lesson and/or where they are feeling challenged. For many, the word exercise is daunting and they are resistant to add exercise to their routine, so I then I try to share ways to practice in an everyday activity. Some samples are:While you are sitting at a stoplight practice finding Wuji, you could try…
- Rocking the Pelvis- Imagine it is a bowl filled with water and if you pour the water out the front, the back is arched, and if the water is poured out the back, the back is slouching… keep the water level in the bowl and you are on your sit bones and allowing your spine to be in alignment.
- Lifting the Crown- Feel the lifting of the spine
- Bring the Chin in- Try bringing the back of your head to the head rest of the seat with the crown up to practice keeping the chin in vs. dropping(our natural tendency)
- Lifting the Crown- Feel the lifting of the spine
- Bring the Chin in- Try bringing the back of your head to the head rest of the seat with the crown up to practice keeping the chin in vs. dropping(our natural tendency)
Stuck in a Traffic Jam…
- Try just putting in the music and watch your anxiety be relieved
- Visualize forms
- Visualize forms
While in the grocery store…
- This one I borrow from Marty - weight shifting for waving hands in clouds - try practicing side stepping and weight shifting while scanning for what you are looking for.
- Follow through Step - This is a great way to back up to allow others to pass.
- Follow through Step - This is a great way to back up to allow others to pass.
While in Line…
- Practice standing in a normal stance and weight shifting slowly and finding the empty foot.
- Adding Spiraling to the weight shift
- Practice Bow Stance with weight shift while unloading the cart, or loading the car
- Adding Spiraling to the weight shift
- Practice Bow Stance with weight shift while unloading the cart, or loading the car
These can also be done in the home while you are washing dishes or ironing.
This winter we had a lot of ice and it was a great time to practice chen by adding imaginary pails of water in both hands and walking. We practiced this in class and many were able to use this throughout the week as the storms blew through.
This winter we had a lot of ice and it was a great time to practice chen by adding imaginary pails of water in both hands and walking. We practiced this in class and many were able to use this throughout the week as the storms blew through.
Give it a try!
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My Experience from the 2011 Terre Haute Workshop
Ron Blakenship, Tai Chi Instructor, Ohio, USA and TCHC Scholarship Winner
Ron Blakenship, Tai Chi Instructor, Ohio, USA and TCHC Scholarship Winner
I have been studying tai chi for arthritis for about four years and became a certified instructor in June of 2011.
Chi abounds at Dr. Lam’s 2011 Tai Chi workshop in Terra Haute, Indiana.
I cannot describe the many blessings I received while attending the 2011 Terre Haute Workshop: the outstanding leadership that was presented; the companionship of the class members; the benefit of both your and Dr. Bob's outstanding knowledge; watching the various forms of tai chi being performed in such an excellent manner; and watching student and instructors practice in the dorm hallways, including the cane form which I found so different and interesting.
But the most profound thing that happened to me did not happen during the workshop. It happened as my travel companion Mary and I were on our way home from the workshop. I would guess that about 75 to 100 miles into our trip, Mary said to me, "DO YOU FEEL THAT?" I replied, "YES," as we both understood what we were feeling. However a more accurate way of stating this would have been, “DO YOU NOT FEEL THAT?” As we continued to talk, we realized that the amazing feeling of chi that had surrounded us during the past week had gradually weakened and slipped away with the distance and separation from those that had gathered together in the wonderful spirit of giving, sharing, and helpfulness as one unified being.
I hope that you will find this incident as interesting as I did and hope you will share both it and my thanks for my scholarship to the TCHC Scholarship Committee and Board.
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Scientists believe that your brain has a built in negativity bias. This is because, as our ancestors dodged sticks and chased carrots over millions of years of evolution, the sticks had the greater urgency and impact on survival. This negativity bias shows up in lots of ways. For example, studies have found that the brain generally reacts more to a negative stimulus than to an equally intense positive one.
chased carrots over millions of years of evolution, the sticks had the greater urgency and impact on survival. This negativity bias shows up in lots of ways. For example, studies have found that the brain generally reacts more to a negative stimulus than to an equally intense positive one. Rick Hanson PhD, a neuropsychologist at the University of California, Berkeley, and author of the above quote, stresses how important it is for our mental and physical well-being to pay extra attention to the good that happens in our lives. Accentuating the positive is a cornerstone in the Step-Wise Teaching Method of Tai Chi for Health.
With these concepts in mind the topic for discussion at the fall practice session for TCH instructors in the Kansas/ Missouri area was, “What brings you joy as a teacher of Tai Chi for Health?” The answers included:
Polly: “I felt joyous the day an 83 year old student, who had come to me with balance issues, realized how vastly she had improved. Her happiness was contagious. At times like that I know I am helping someone to a better quality of life.”
Ernie: “I experience joy when playing tai chi in a group, because individual qi is magnified and expressed more powerfully through shared energy.”
Jerry: “I had a student with heel problems who shuffled while walking. I felt joy when she improved and went on to encourage others to pay attention to their foot movements.”
Jerry: “I had a student with heel problems who shuffled while walking. I felt joy when she improved and went on to encourage others to pay attention to their foot movements.”
Molly: “For five years, I’ve had a group of seniors aged 70 93 in my class. Watching them make tai chi a part of their lives gives me a sense of accomplishment.”
John: “What gives me joy in teaching TCH, is observing the tremendous improvement in my students. People tell me, with smiles on their faces, how their balance and flexibility have improved.”
Dutch: “My greatest joy is my students’ enthusiasm, their regular attendance, and the ‘ah ha’ look in their eyes when they ‘get it’.”
John: “What gives me joy in teaching TCH, is observing the tremendous improvement in my students. People tell me, with smiles on their faces, how their balance and flexibility have improved.”
Dutch: “My greatest joy is my students’ enthusiasm, their regular attendance, and the ‘ah ha’ look in their eyes when they ‘get it’.”
Since our brains are actually ‘wired’ for more emphasis on the negative than positive, it requires focused effort to not let meaningful validations of the benefits of our teaching to slip away unnoticed. ‘Letting in the good,’ by being mindful of the joyous experiences we encounter as we teach, contributes to a positive attitude. “Being positive is a vital part of achieving the right attitude and teaching effectively.” Dr. Paul Lam, Teaching Tai Chi Effectively.
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A Review of “Along the Roaring River” by Hao Jin Tian
Margaret Boehm, Senior Trainer, Bradenton, FL, USA
Margaret Boehm, Senior Trainer, Bradenton, FL, USA
In the June newsletter, Dr. Lam recommended the book, Along the Roaring River (My Wild Ride from Mao to the Met), by Hao Jing Tian. It's a firsthand depiction of a boy's growing up in a very difficult period in China and going on to acclaim as an international opera star.
Met), by Hao Jing Tian. It's a firsthand depiction of a boy's growing up in a very difficult period in China and going on to acclaim as an international opera star.In school, Hao Jing Tian was bored, lazy, and often in trouble. Once out of school, however, after his musical talent was recognized, he was willing to work extremely hard, almost beyond endurance, first to get to the west and then to master the skills and languages of Western grand opera, with the help of fine teachers and generous colleagues. This he describes in fascinating detail.
Hao Jiang Tian had more freedom than most of his contemporaries. He says as much after a long song-fest in the West with Cultural Revolution peers: "... for some of us there was magic under Chairman Mao and Jiang Qing. The creative fire was lit and fed in an environment that was inhospitable to anything but the Party line. We had nothing. There was nothing to have.... What was there was ours, a simple song sung in the mountains,... a glass of beer, a line of poetry.....Those who remained outside the radar of politics and who toed the line just enough when all eyes were on us were absolutely free when outside of scrutiny....” (pg. 289) This was not everyone's experience; life was terrifying for many. Somehow Hao Jiang Tian was able to endure the constraints, the boredom, the mind-numbing activity and still remain free within himself. He was very very lucky, and he worked like a demon to take advantage of every opportunity.
I was touched throughout this book by his open heart. For me, he was particularly revealing when he spoke of finding "the place inside yourself where you are free of worldly cares; a Taoist or Zen state of pure presence inside life, free of yourself, and becoming part of the ongoing process of natural change. ..." (pg.300)
I would respectfully submit that during our practice of the art and skill of tai chi, it is possible, sometimes only momentarily, for all of us to experience that open heart, that “state of pure presence inside life, free of yourself, and becoming part of the ongoing process of natural change.” I would also respectfully suggest that some of us did experience moments of it this summer in the June workshop and acknowledged it to each other in warm hugs and tearful smiles.
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Tai Chi and Parkinson’s
By Sang Myeong Cheon, Neurologist and Assistant Professor, Korea
(currently on sabbatical in Sydney)
By Sang Myeong Cheon, Neurologist and Assistant Professor, Korea
(currently on sabbatical in Sydney)
Good morning everyone. My name is Sang Myeong Cheon and I am from Korea.
Maybe, nearly everybody just wonders who I am and why I am here to talk.
Maybe, nearly everybody just wonders who I am and why I am here to talk.
Let me introduce myself. I am a neurologist and assistant professor, working in the Dong-A university hospital in
Busan, Korea. Parkinson’s disease is my major field of study. When I made my mind to work in the University as a clinical researcher at the end of my training course, I fell deeply in the Stem Cells, dreaming that it could cure all devastating diseases. Several years later there was a big scandal in Stem Cell Research field in Korea, the most leading researcher made a big deception in his study and it was a real disaster not only in stem cell research field but also to the patients having great hope like me. Although my study was in vitro stem cell research, far from clinical trial or patient treatment, I felt responsibility about the optimism that I might deliver to patients. In 2005, my mentor professor Kim and I established a Parkinson’s disease center in our hospital. We hoped it could contribute for the treatment of patients beyond drug therapy, such as 5 minutes of clinical visit in three months, so we could see one patient four or five times in a year. We started education, surgical intervention and exercise. Our choice for exercise was Tai Chi for Arthritis, but I could not remember why we picked it. I think it was destiny. It was first time that I practiced Tai Chi, and I realized it was really fit to me. But as researcher based on western science, I could not accept those things such as Qi or internal energy which some people insisted it could modulate the disease. Actually, I should confess that I thought exercise was just assisting strategy for PD center, and hoped it could help patients feel good. Anyway after the little TCA instructor workshop by inviting master trainers from Seoul, our instructors started to teach TCA. For me, I lost the chance to practice Tai Chi after that workshop, and forgot to do Tai Chi in my busy daily life.
We had an amazing instructor Dr. Hye-Ryun Sung, a woman with two kids, got PhD degree with research on the exercise treatment of PD. Exercise in our center was consisted of 8-12 weeks course, three times a week. We could observe that patients having exercise were much better in strength, mood and lived in higher quality of life. And we also could see Tai Chi was better than other type of exercise such as elastic band exercise, folk dancing, stepping exercise and so on, especially in the emotional support and daily activity. We felt that Tai Chi is one of great options we can share with the patients.
In the course of Parkinson’s disease, medical and surgical treatments have been ameliorating so much symptoms and making people live better. But it is symptomatic, meaning that the degeneration of brain progresses relentlessly, even remarkable developments of medical science cannot reveal the cause of the disease and cannot alter the course of disease yet. I watched that patients had big bone fractures from falling, could not swallow by themselves, made just sound not words, and went to be bound to wheelchair and bed even with the best treatment we could offer.
During those days with Parkinson’s disease patients, my witness of the fall of absurd research dreaming and powerless doctor in front of progressing patients made me pessimistic and disappointed. Then I realized that we had a wonderful option, exercise, Tai Chi doing so much things to patients we could not deliver in hospital. So I gave mail to Dr. Lam, reminding that we met at international Tai Chi congress held at Seoul in 2006. As I remember, I proposed to make Tai Chi for PD to Dr. Lam, and he willingly said ‘yes you can make it with TCA or any other forms in Tai Chi’. Yes, I remembered and I should do it now. So it brought me to Sydney and has been almost a year.
Practicing Tai Chi is just wonderful. I realize that it is not the matter which form we practice or make new sequence but the real thing is feel it. It is not the matter where I should place my front foot or how up I should bring my right hand but how I feel the transfer of my weight and what I feel with ‘song’. Although I realize hold of my breath when I finish sometimes, I can feel the joy and delights of moving slowly with harmony of whole body. I really appreciate with my lovely and admiring instructors and friends, who inspired me and passed on that feeling to me, Pat, Janet, Fiona, Daniel, John, Marta, Serene……. One day I said to Daniel with a surge of pleasure that I’m in here, the right place, doing the right thing with right people.
As I said, I cannot admit the Qi. But I could feel some huge energy in the last Sydney workshop. Now I can say that it would change the course of devastating disease. The principles of Tai Chi itself are really wonderful for the PD patients with stiff joints, stooped postures, dragging gait and easy falling. Sorry, no, it is really wonderful for us living in such a frantic modern world. I can expand those principles into my life.
1. Do your movements slowly, without stopping. Make them smooth and continuous like water flowing in a river. - Do not rush and after making my mind, do not hesitate and make it through to the end with patience.
2. Imagine you’re always moving against gentle resistance. - When you facing obstacles, imagine that those are tiny little one and I can gently get over it.
3. Be aware when you shift your weight and be aware of each step of your weight transference. - Always be aware where you are, what you intend to do and what you are looking for.
4. Maintain an upright posture and body alignment. - Maintain your original intention and make harmony with them and your daily living.
2. Imagine you’re always moving against gentle resistance. - When you facing obstacles, imagine that those are tiny little one and I can gently get over it.
3. Be aware when you shift your weight and be aware of each step of your weight transference. - Always be aware where you are, what you intend to do and what you are looking for.
4. Maintain an upright posture and body alignment. - Maintain your original intention and make harmony with them and your daily living.
Loosen or “song” the joints. - Make some moments between the tense daily works and get through those works with gentle strength.子曰, 知之者 不如好知者, 好知者 不如樂知者.
Confucius says, they who know the truth are not equal to those who love it, and they who love it are not equal to those who delight in it. Yes, I’m really happy because I can enjoy the Tai Chi and the remains to us are how we can pass on those delights to our patients. I hope that we can change the course of disease and I believe that patients enjoying the Tai Chi can make the change by themselves.
Thank you for listening.
Thank you for listening.
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Featured Profile – Bill Pickett, Senior Trainer, Knoxville, TN USA
By Linda Pickett, Senior Trainer, Knoxville, TN USA
By Linda Pickett, Senior Trainer, Knoxville, TN USA
Bill Pickett, TCH Senior Trainer since 2007, was born in TN and spent most of his early life on a farm where he had many opportunities for discovering hard work and a slow paced life. Leaving the farm in 1968, Bill began a 41 year career in electronics and information technology and settled into a fast pace at one of the nation’s leading nuclear weapons manufacturing plants in Oak Ridge, TN. Along the way he completed 3 formal degrees from the University of TN where he also worked as an adjunct professor in education and computer science for 12 years.
many opportunities for discovering hard work and a slow paced life. Leaving the farm in 1968, Bill began a 41 year career in electronics and information technology and settled into a fast pace at one of the nation’s leading nuclear weapons manufacturing plants in Oak Ridge, TN. Along the way he completed 3 formal degrees from the University of TN where he also worked as an adjunct professor in education and computer science for 12 years. Bill always had a fascination for martial arts and began his studies in hard martial arts in Korea while serving with the US Army, 1971-72, in a break from his work career. After this, travel for work to San Francisco introduced him to and led to his start in Tai Chi in 1987 and eventually his life journey back to the slow lane.
Due to a shortage of Tai Chi teachers in the Knoxville area at this time, Bill followed many teachers starting with Wu style, then to Yang Style, and over time with various Qigong Masters and other disciplines of Tai Chi.
Bill began teaching 24 Form and Qigong exercises in Knoxville in 2000 and has taught many different classes since then.
In 2005, on a whim and a magazine advertisement, he and his wife, Linda, took a Tai Chi vacation to Sarasota, Florida to participate in a Tai Chi for Health week long workshop. That was their introduction to Tai Chi for Arthritis, Sun Style, and first experience with Dr. Paul Lam’s TCH programs. They have not missed a US June workshop in the past 7 years.
Bill is certified in most all TCH courses. The education and experience from working with Dr. Lam and his Master Trainers have helped Bill expand his understanding of Tai Chi and improve his teaching abilities and interaction with the public in sharing the Tai Chi message of balance in life and good health.
My monthly essays on healthy humor emphasize our natural ability to discover the 'punch lines' in daily life. With this capacity to bring out a smile or a laugh we brighten our day and we cultivate radiant health much like our daily practice of tai chi promotes health.
th this capacity to bring out a smile or a laugh we brighten our day and we cultivate radiant health much like our daily practice of tai chi promotes health.With the arrival of winter in North America, a tradition of serving turkey during our Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays is a major event especially for families. For this month's essay, I found wonderful examples of healthy humor from reports of how four year old children explained how to cook a turkey to their pre-school teachers.
• Take a 90 pound turkey and put some salt, pepper, pepperoni and chicken nuggets inside with some salt on top. Mommy, me and daddy will cook it in the oven at about 30 degrees for about 20 minutes.
• Take a 2 pound turkey and put some oranges, green beans, and pumpkin pie inside with a gingerbread house and a big old cherry on top. Mommy will cook it in the oven at hot, hot, hot, hot, hot for four minutes.
• Take a 30 pound turkey, put some sugar and bananas inside with sugar and cheese on top. Mommy will cook in the oven 38 degrees for 40 minutes.
• Take a 100 pound turkey and put cookies and race car waffles inside with vanilla yogurt on top. I will cook it with daddy’s help in the stove at 100 degrees for 13 hours.
• Take a 10,000 pound turkey and put some candy and a fluff sandwich inside with strawberry jelly on top. Daddy will cook it in the oven at 10 degrees for 40 minutes.
• You wash the turkey in the sink. Then put it in the oven at 300 degrees for 15 minutes. The timer goes off when it is done. Wait 15 minutes then you can eat it. Put it on a plate and set it on the table.
Wait until mom says, "Dinner Time!"
• Take a 2 pound turkey and put some oranges, green beans, and pumpkin pie inside with a gingerbread house and a big old cherry on top. Mommy will cook it in the oven at hot, hot, hot, hot, hot for four minutes.
• Take a 30 pound turkey, put some sugar and bananas inside with sugar and cheese on top. Mommy will cook in the oven 38 degrees for 40 minutes.
• Take a 100 pound turkey and put cookies and race car waffles inside with vanilla yogurt on top. I will cook it with daddy’s help in the stove at 100 degrees for 13 hours.
• Take a 10,000 pound turkey and put some candy and a fluff sandwich inside with strawberry jelly on top. Daddy will cook it in the oven at 10 degrees for 40 minutes.
• You wash the turkey in the sink. Then put it in the oven at 300 degrees for 15 minutes. The timer goes off when it is done. Wait 15 minutes then you can eat it. Put it on a plate and set it on the table.
Wait until mom says, "Dinner Time!"
Here is my favorite:
• Put it in the oven. Cook it for 6 minutes.
Yell for my dad to come to the table.
• Put it in the oven. Cook it for 6 minutes.
Yell for my dad to come to the table.
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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.
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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