By Sifu Ben Serpas
There are several techniques one can use to
manage stress, but I have found one which includes all the others, Tai
Chi, a form of QiGong (Chi Kung), considered the Chinese form of yoga. Some of these techniques are: Biofeedback, Deep Breathing, Massage, Meditation,
Progressive Muscle Relaxation, Thought-Stopping, Visualization and Yoga. Tai Chi is a mild form of exercise that uses slow, fluid body movements. It's not a jarring form of exercise.
Tai Chi had its origin in China, especially in mountain
temples such as Wudang and Shaolin, where monks used different forms of martial
arts for well being and for self defense. Today, Tai Chi is practiced
all over the world as an anaerobic exercise for body, mind and spirit and is
practiced by all age groups.
Many would think that Tai Chi is only for young people, but it has been
practiced for more than a thousand years by young and old alike with the same
benefits. Recent studies in the U.S.A. favor Tai Chi as an alternative
and also as a complementary exercise for seniors, either to keep good health
and/or to attain overall well being.
Here are some examples:
- The Boston Globe
published an article by Don Aucoin (Globe Staff / December 11, 2007)
titled “A poet forged in heartbreak” referring to poet Michael Weaver and
in one paragraph wrote “Along the way, he (Michael Weaver) also survived a
major medical scare: He was diagnosed with congestive heart failure in
1995, and his condition was so severe that one doctor gave him only five
years to live. But he recovered through a combination of medication, a reduction
of stress (which he attributes to his practice of Tai Chi),
and major weight loss after a complete transformation of his diet.
- Tai Chi
practitioners fall only half as much as those practicing other balance
training, as reported by an Emory University study, and others.
- In 2003, the Journal of Alternative and Complimentary
Medicine’s Oct. 9th issue reported a study finding that Tai Chi
“could decrease blood pressure and results in favorable lipid profile
changes and improve subjects' anxiety status. Therefore, Tai Chi
could be used as an alternative modality in treating patients with mild
hypertension, with a promising economic effect.”
- This concept of Tai Chi being an effective tool
for reducing or even avoiding incidence of high blood pressure or other
illnesses all together, is echoed in many other articles published by well
known institutions. The Mayo Clinic also recommends Tai Chi for relaxation training
in an article entitled, “Tai Chi: A Gentle Way to Relieve Stress."
Tai Chi is
proven to be a beneficial therapy that not only has no bad side effects, but
dramatically improves immune function, respiratory function, lowers the
incidence of anxiety and depression, and profoundly improves the balance of
practitioners. This is very important, considering that hospitalization for
falls costs about $270 million a year in Arizona, not including the cost of
doctors, rehabilitation or long-term disability…
We should ask ourselves
what the best way/product for our health is. If Tai Chi is an
alternative, the next question is, why isn’t every physician offering it as an
option to their patients as a prescription? And why aren’t all insurance
policies covering such prescriptions for Tai Chi? In the end, we must
all suffer the consequences of our life style. So why not include in it
something that could benefit us so greatly, like Tai Chi? Well, I don’t
think we should dwell on it so much and make this year’s resolution to bring
contentment to our lives. Just try Tai Chi and you will love it! I did
and there is just no going back.
Be well!
Ben Serpas
