"in class, we move hands like clouds and when we leave class, we walk on clouds" In a nutshell, the piece summarizes a recent study reported on this past April, about the benefits of t'ai chi in improving balance and alleviating arthritic pain. This is a finding that has been reported on repeatedly, but it never hurts to remind ourselves. I believe that improved balance is perhaps the most striking and confirmable benefit of regular t'ai chi practice. Re back pain: A report that came out earlier in the year -- The scientific community seldom recognizes t'ai chi among the mindfulness techniques. Anyway, there was an exception recently. The American College of Physicians published last spring a new study re back pain. Basically, it states that someone suffering pain should not "medicalize" the problem -- in other words, don't go the route of X-rays, MRIs and def not opioids. But DO go the non-medical route. to qu...
This is a blog about t'ai chi, specifically how we can apply the teachings of this ancient practice to our contemporary lives. How do we navigate an icy sidewalk? What is the best posture for that dreaded job interview? There are the eternal problems, of course, of back pain and creaky knees. My intention is to have a place to share ideas about t'ai chi methods of caring for our spirits and bodies in today's complicated world.