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Warning over Tsunami of Pain
The UK is facing a “tsunami” of joint pain with an aging population and the numbers of arthritis cases expected to soar, a leading expert has warned. Arthritis cases are expected to double by 2030, Arthritis Care (a charity) has …
Read More »Tai Chi Makes Your Arteries More Elastic
Practising Tai Chi can boost elderly people’s hearts, according to researchers from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the University of Illinois. The research was funded by the University of Illinois. Tai Chi is now hugely popular in the UK …
Read More »Tai Chi and Energy
One of the biggest problems that affect the world today is lack of energy – the feeling where you just cannot get up and go. If it’s the weekend, that is not such a big problem, but if you have …
Read More »Is it Good to do Tai Chi Outside?
I think every Tai Chi book you will ever read says the same thing, it is best to train outside first thing in the morning. The only trouble is that all the authors seem to want to follow each other …
Read More »Is 12 Precious Cloths Qigong Different?
If you write a blog I am sure you know how hard it can be creating fresh new blogs without any feedback from your readers. Luckily, that is not the case with my lovely readers, who helpfully ask lots of …
Read More »Is there are difference between Tai Chi form and Qigong?
We have had a very good question from one of our students, Nick who has just started attending the advanced class. I believe they (Tai Chi and Qigong) must be different otherwise surely only Qigong would exist as it is …
Read More »Long Life Qigong
Qigong (Chi Kung) has literally thousands of forms, from many places around South East Asia. Many of those forms of Qigong are excellent at creating good health, great energy and helping to prolong your life. One of those forms of …
Read More »Tai Chi Helps Diabetes
Research in Taiwan suggests that regular Tai Chi practise improves type 2 Diabetes. Researchers at Department of Medical Research, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Taiwan found that regular practise of Tai Chi helped improve T cell function involved with …
Read More »Christmas Stress
It’s a funny thing, you either love Christmas or hate it. At the moment I reckon it’s about 50 50, but the haters are growing every year. In days gone by, when people were less wealthy, it was special to …
Read More »Why its good to have a training buddy
When you start your Tai Chi classes it’s easy to be able to judge for yourself how you are doing i.e. remembering the order of the moves, keeping your balance, getting your hands and feet to do what you want …
Read More »YouTube video for a flexible mind
Have a look at this piece of video on YouTube and then come back to this article J http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPNyK7XTy6o&feature=player_embedded Did you giggle while you sympathised? Its great isn’t it? What went through my mind when I watched it was how …
Read More »Have a Nice Day, Nice Week and Don’t Let Anyone Stress Ya, Keep It Real!
I had a meeting in London and found myself on Victoria underground station during rush hour, not the most serene of places at the best of times. The crowds pressed in on all sides making it almost impossible to move …
Read More »Cyprus Tai Chi Retreat
We are back, fully rested, carrying back fond memories of Cyprus. We spent a week in Paphos, at the Avanti Hotel. The Avanti deserves the four stars given to it; it is a very nice hotel, with attentive staff and …
Read More »Circulation of Qi Energy
I am sure that you are aware that Tai Chi and the other internal arts rely heavily on Chi. Chi is the foundation of those systems. Chi does not just exist in human beings, but in all living organisms. Literally …
Read More »Stress – the reason your kids cause it?
So, those of you who have teenagers, we sympathise. Apparently some of them are not responsible for their stroppy, anti-social behaviour. If the creation of new brain cells is interrupted during adolescence it can cause serious social problems for them …
Read More »The Best Time to Practise Tai Chi
It’s interesting the things beginners to Tai Chi get stressed about. Barbara, one of our new recruits, asked “when I should do Tai Chi, because I have read that it must be done in the morning and I do not …
Read More »Qigong – When you shouldn’t do it
Maggie Tarling, one of our long term students asked a very interesting question When shouldn’t you practise Qigong (Chi Kung)? The first thing that should be understood is that there are many forms of Qigong – and I am talking …
Read More »What is the purpose of Chi Kung?
In response to a very good questions from one of our students asking WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF CHI KUNG, WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO BE FEELING? In the beginning, concentrate on the overall correct performance of the exercise. Later …
Read More »Comfort food or food for thought
The words say it all really, comfort food. Food which brings us feelings of happiness, joy, relaxation, the thrill of being a bit naughty, safety and sheer pleasure. We all do it. And, we all know these feelings won’t last …
Read More »How to Calm Your Mind
With the economic situation grinding on many people are worried and a bit down. It is easy to become negative when everything and everyone around you appears so gloomy. But this will pass, it will just take time. Obviously …
Read More »Don’t Lose Your Head
It’s the summer holidays and all the kids are off, the screaming has started. Or to be more precise the screaming has started from one child. It has been the same for the last three years. At the back of …
Read More »Negative comments can have Positive benefits
No one likes to be criticised, or told that what they are doing is wrong. This harks back to our childhood when we wanted to please our parents and they tried to help us grow and learn but, sometimes, inevitably, …
Read More »One bit at a time
When you first start your tai chi practise it can be a little overwhelming, so much to remember and then to try to relax too – you’re joking right? I always tell my students to take one thing at a …
Read More »Mind or Body?
I have been asked, several times over the last few years, the same question by some of my students. Would you rather lose your mental capacity or your bodily control and functions? What a question! It is, for most of …
Read More »For older adults, freedom is fitness
I read an article recently (link below) with this title and it got me thinking. When you are young you charge around without a care in the world, you recover for injuries quickly and don’t actually take your body into …
Read More »Tai Chi and perseverance
When I’m teaching my instructors, I always extol the virtue of telling their new students about all of the wonderful research that is proving Tai Chi is incredibly effective. Unfortunately, we live in a world which is constantly bombarding us …
Read More »The short road to recovery
When you are recovering from an illness, injury or surgery and you want to get fit again don’t go all ‘gung ho’ and full pelt as if you have to re-gain full fitness in one day. Give yourself time. We …
Read More »Tai Chi helps ‘chemo brain’ symptoms
I found this article quite by chance. I can’t image how cruel is must feel to survive Chemo and radiation therapies only to be left feeling generally ‘spaced out’ with poor concentration, memory lapses and a fuzzy-headedness, which can apparently, …
Read More »The Ultimate Energy Workout
Beat stress, boost immunity, and curb your appetite with this revitalizing 15-minute routine More stamina so you can enjoy your life to the fullest. To the rescue: Qigong (pronounced chee-gong, which means “energy work”) This form of active meditation–made …
Read More »The effect of tai chi exercise on blood pressure: a systematic review.
A systematic review of the literature on the effect of tai chi exercise on blood pressure (BP) was performed. The authors searched Medline, CAB, Alt HealthWatch, BIOSIS previews, Science Citation Index, and EMBASE systems (inception through January 2007); researched …
Read More »Tai Chi Exercises Suitable for Arthritis
One of the best approaches in controlling arthritis is exercise. Next to it is proper diet and so on. Almost all medical experts’ opinions are focused on the natural way of preventing arthritis which is through practicing Tai Chi. …
Read More »Tai Chi may benefit diabetes patients
Aloe vera, green tea popular herbal amon…Gene linked to baldness ‘discovered’Sugar ‘makes you sweeter’ The ancient Chinese martial art of Tai Chi may help people suffering from type 2 diabetes improve their physical and mental well being, Australian researchers said. …
Read More »Tai Chi for Strength and Endurance: Study Finds Increased Muscle Gains in Elderly Subjects
Tai chi chuan (tai chi) is one of the most popular forms of exercise in China (and arguably the world). Originally practiced as a form of martial arts, tai chi consists of breathing exercises performed in conjunction with a series …
Read More »Tai Chi For Elders: Improving Balance And Reducing The Risk Of Falls
Thirty-percent of ambulatory seniors over the age of 65 living in a community fall every year. Another 50% of the same age group living in long-term care facilities suffer from at least one fall annually. One in 10 of these …
Read More »Tai chi helps older adults get good night’s sleep
By Anne Harding NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Regular practice of tai chi chih, a Westernized version of the ancient Chinese martial art of tai chi, can help older people rest easier at night, according to a study in …
Read More »Tai Chi and Mental Health
My primary research focus is on issues related to chronic pain and chronic illness, such as nursing management of demented patients with chronic pain from osteoarthritis. I am currently funded by the National Institute of Nursing Research to investigate the …
Read More »The Effect of Tai Chi on Health Outcomes in Patients With Chronic Conditions
Four studies evaluated Tai Chi effects on musculoskeletal conditions (Table 3). One RCT of 33 patients with osteoarthritis reported that 12 weeks of Tai Chi practice significantly improved arthritis symptoms, self-efficacy, level of tension, and satisfaction with general health status. …
Read More »Alternative cancer treatments: 11 alternative treatments worth a try
Alternative cancer treatments can’t cure your cancer, but they may provide some relief from signs and symptoms. Many people with cancer are interested in trying complementary and alternative cancer treatments. If cancer makes you feel as though you have little …
Read More »Tai Chi May Benefit Older Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is an increasing problem among older adults, causing pain, functional limitations, and reduced quality of life. The traditional Chinese practice of tai chi, with its combination of physical and mental components, seems promising for OA patients; …
Read More »How to Exercise as You Grow Older
Caution: Consult your diabetes care team before starting any new exercise program When was the first time you asked yourself, “Am I getting old?” Was it that time you felt your heart beating faster as you climbed the stairs? Or …
Read More »An Intervention Study for Preventing Falls
Falls have a major impact on the overall health of seniors, and physical activity can help lower the risk of falls. In a case-control study of individuals older than 65 years of age, subjects who practiced vigorous physical activity and …
Read More »Tai Chi therapy against depression encouraging: Australian scientist
Australian scientist Liu Xin, who designed a Tai Chi exercise program to fight depression, diabetes and obesity said Wednesday that an initial trial of the program is encouraging. Hailing the program as a breakthrough in the fight against depression, diabetes …
Read More »Tai Chi’s Effect on Heart Rate Variability Comparable to a Brisk Walk
By Richard Hyer The Asian exercise tai chi is comparable to but not quite as effective as a brisk walk for raising heart rate variability (HRV), according to a poster presented here at the American Academy of Family Physicians …
Read More »Preventing Falls in the Elderly Include: Start Tai Chi, Cut-Back on Meds
In the first update of the American Geriatrics Society and the British Geriatric Society’s guidelines on preventing falls in older persons since 2001, they now recommend that all interventions for preventing falls should include an exercise component and that a …
Read More »Tai Chi reduces blood pressure
As we all know exercise is good for us. But, what about those of us who suffer with high blood pressure? Blood pressure increases with age but, any exercise can help to reduce it. You don’t have to take up …
Read More »Arthritis is Not Caused By Old Age
By Dr. Paul Lanthois Ray was an old style businessman. In these times of worker smarter, Ray created his business through a lot of extremely demanding work. Like many men, he had not paid much attention to his health but …
Read More »Aquatic Exercise and Tai Chi Effective Therapy for Osteoarthritis
Many people with osteoarthritis (OA) in their knees or hips don’t move around enough to loosen up those achy joints or gain the other health benefits of being physically active. Several studies have shown that strength training and aerobic exercise …
Read More »TAI-CHI CHUAN, FOR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS
‘Tai-Chi Chuan exercise appears to be safe for RA patients and may serve as an alternative for their exercise therapy and part of their rehabilitation program. Weight-bearing exercises have the potential advantages of stimulating bone growth and strengthening connective tissue, …
Read More »Negative comments can have Positive benefits
No one likes to be criticised, or told that what they are doing is wrong. This harks back to our childhood when we wanted to please our parents and they tried to help us grow and learn but, sometimes, inevitably, …
Read More »Tai Chi lifts your mood
Anyone who does Tai Chi for any length of time usually finds that their mood improves quite noticeably. Sometimes it takes you a little while to actually see the difference. It is only when other people comment that you appear …
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