Health Benefits of Tai Chi Training
Student Testimonials
Tai chi has contributed so much to my health. I have been training for over five and a half years.
This past March, I was diagnosed with lung cancer, without any warning symptoms. I had surgery to remove the upper
lobe of my right lung; this comprises about forty percent of the lung on that side. My surgeon told me that the remaining lobes
usually fill in the space in the chest in about a year's time. When I had my post-operative checkup a month after the surgery,
both my doctor and I were amazed to find that the X-ray showed my lung entirely regrown. I told him that I attributed this to my
tai chi training and all the breath work we do, and he agreed! Training also helped me feel better throughout the course of chemotherapy
which followed. I feel that Sifu and my training partners at the academy were a major part of my getting well again. Ellen Schwartz
I've been running pretty seriously for over 35 years and have run many marathons and other road races of various distances. Through the years I've developed many aches and pains related to running that have eventually healed. I know the difference between aches from fatigue and chronic ailments related to mis-alignment. Over the last 5 years I have had stiffness and pain in my lower back and the region above and around my left hip. This chronic pain eventually continued down to the inner part of my left knee. I've gone to the doctor a few times but they have found nothing, and suggested I see a specialist, which I have been reluctant to do for many reasons. Recently I had a major reduction in pain and some big gains in mobility for my hip and knee, I attribute this pain free breakthrough to some new learning in my Wu Style Tai Chi class. After studying the basic movements in the 108 Form, I've started to push hands and have begun to see the relationship between correct posture, hip alignment, being single weighted, and most of all the concept of "sitting" by tucking in my pelvis/hip area when I raise my toe in certain positions. After some initial slight discomfort from practicing these new movements, some magic started to happen. First, my knee pain went away. Then my hip and lower back started to loosen up. It's amazing how much living with chronic pain can affect your disposition, and you really don't realize it until the pain is removed. I'm very happy about these changes and I look forward to more wonderful things as continue on my journey in Wu Style Tai Chi. Kevin Maloney
I am 62 years old and have lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Since taking sitting tai chi, I have noticed that I have become more stable when walking outside on uneven grass. I used to trip and fall if I stepped on a small branch in my yard. Lately I am able to catch myself and feel more comfortable when I start getting off balance and feel myself going forward. I attribute this to the weight transfer warm-up exercises that we do in class that have helped my balance.
I have also noticed that my healing time for bruises has improved. Because I have been on prednisone for a number of years, I bruise very easily. In the past, these would take 3 weeks to go away. Now they are gone in 2 weeks. I'm sure this is due to increased circulation, which is said to be a benefit of tai chi. If this is happening to me externally, I have to believe that internally I am improving also. And for this I am optimistic and will continue taking tai chi as long as I am able. Barb O'Mailia
After I had been involved with tai chi for only two months, I experienced a greatly increased range-of-motion in my shoulders. Previously, while driving, I would have to slide my hands down along the steering wheel when turning left or right. Now I find I can maintain my hand position on the wheel without any pain in my shoulders. Claire Sobson
I am 76 years old. Tai chi has helped with my carpel tunnel and I have better movement of my arms. My balance has also improved along with my flexibility. And there is such a peaceful feeling after each work-out. Thank you. Janet Cauzillo
A little over a year ago, when I began, my blood pressure was 150/86. This was considered "normal" but bordered on high. My cholesterol was under control, but even though I was lifting weights and working on a treadmill, I couldn't seem to raise my HDL numbers from the low 30's, and my Triglyceride number was way out of sight. I haven't really changed my diet, and if anything, I lift weights and get on the treadmill less, because I'd rather put the time into Taiji practice. My most recent blood pressure reading was 120/76, my HDLs are over 40, and my Triglyceride levels are now within normal range. Nothing else has really changed but Taijiquan, Whatever it is, something good is going on. Rick
I just wanted to thank you again for coming to teach at UMD. I'll be honest, at first I was skeptical that Tai Chi could really work as far as being a good way to meditate and to calm down. I stress out very easily and from time to time have anxiety attacks because of all the pent up stress. It's especially bad this time of year because of finals and everything else that is due. A few weeks ago I had an anxiety attack and instead of freaking out even more (like I usually do) I just went up to my room and practiced the form a little bit. To my surprise it actually calmed me down! After that, anytime school started to get to me, I would just close my eyes and try to take a few deep breaths and really concentrate on my breathing or I would go to a place where I could do the form in private, and it has really helped me out. I had two finals yesterday and I don't think I have ever been so peaceful before taking exams. I really enjoyed learning about the history of Tai Chi as well. Everything you told us about it was very interesting to me. Laura
I was introduced to Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan when I was 44 years old. I had had many years of logging, carpentry, and hard style martial arts before seeking a Tai Chi teacher. When I was 39, my Shaolin teacher told me that I had reached an age, which would soon end my martial arts practice unless I switched to Tai Chi. After 5 years of searching, I discovered Wu Style Tai Chi.At the time I started Tai Chi, I had many physical problems: painful nunchuk elbow dent, left ring finger at an odd angle from a bad Tae Kwon Do block, life long back pain - only briefly controlled by visits to the chiropractor, Woody Allen posture involving head hung forward, walk with toes out and knees frequently collapsing inward, intermittent sciatic nerve pinch that on one occasion resulted in a painful paralysis of my right foot. I had practiced with several other Tai Chi styles before Wu Style. However, those teaching had no direct supervision from anyone. After learning the basics of the form, little additional correction was available. Under these conditions, what I was practicing did not produce any improvements for my problems. Wu Style, as taught by Sifu Genie, has magnificently affected my physical and mental well-being. I am now 67 years old and every one of my previous problems is now gone, or fully controlled by my ongoing practice. The rewards of Tai Chi come after long hard work, and are well worth the effort. Bob Roth
