Starfarm Tai Chi & Qigong » balance

Two New Classes Added for Fall at Starfarm

admin — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 21:25:29 +0000

Much interest has been expressed in continuing the Chinese Yoga routine introduced this summer here at Starfarm, and some further interest in other qigong sets, or routines. To address this interest I’m offering up two new classes for 6 weeks in the fall.

One class will be offered for teachers after school,(430) beginning Sept 16th. You can find more detail at: After School.

Additionally, a second class will be offered on Weds beginning on Sept 15th, from 630-800, and will include other aspects and techniques for qigong beginners. More info can be found at Chinese Yoga II

Laddie Trains for Intermediate Level Chinese Yoga

admin — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:36:41 +0000

OCT 16 2009 Albany New York

With nearly 100 people from around the country in attendence, Jiang, Jian-ye (Grandmaster) introduced The intermediate level of Chinese Yoga with Healing Qi, during a Saturday Workshop held at his Albany, New York studio. Starfarm’s Laddie Sacharko was in attendence, shown in photo.

Laddie Sacharko Attends HPA training for instructors, Chinese Yoga Intermediate level. Laddie is 3rd from right, second row.

An Intermediate Level class is planned for January 2010 at Thompson, where about 20 people have been practicing the beginner’s level. Watch for details! Check Here

2 New Tai Chi Classes Added at Mansfield Senior Center

admin — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:28:18 +0000

November 7th, 2009

Due to overwhelming registrations, two new classes have been schedule to accommodate the demand for Tai Chi classes at the Mansfield senior center:

Wednesday mornings, immediately following the 9:15-10:15 AM, class, another one hour session is added, and will begin the week following the Veteran’s Day closing of the center.
Beginning Wednesday,Nov 18th, 10:15-11:15 Tai Chi for Seniors.

Beginning in December, a new Tai Chi for Seniors session commences on Thursday mornings, 9:00-10:00.

You must register in advance, these classes filled fast, and class size is limited to 14 people. Persons under 55 may register, priority will be given to persons 55 and older. Call the Senior Center at 860 423-0262.

The Effect of Tai Chi on Health Outcomes in Patients With Chronic Conditions: A Systematic Review

admin — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:18:26 +0000

What this study is saying is that Tai Chi can bring improvements in many chronic health situations, but mechanism that brings about change is not observed,ie; what specifically about tai chi does what, to what
Read the full Study Here (PDF)

The Effect of Tai Chi on Health Outcomes in Patients With Chronic Conditions

A Systematic Review

Chenchen Wang, MD, MSc; Jean Paul Collet, MD, PhD; Joseph Lau, MD

Arch Intern Med. 2004;164:493-501.

Objective To conduct a systematic review of reports on the physical and psychological effects of Tai Chi on various chronic medical conditions.

Data Sources Search of 11 computerized English and Chinese databases.

Study Selection Randomized controlled trials, nonrandomized controlled studies, and observational studies published in English or Chinese.

Data Extraction Data were extracted for the study objective, population characteristics, study setting, type of Tai Chi intervention, study design, outcome assessment, duration of follow-up, and key results.

Data Synthesis There were 9 randomized controlled trials, 23 nonrandomized controlled studies, and 15 observational studies in this review. Benefits were reported in balance and strength, cardiovascular and respiratory function, flexibility, immune system, symptoms of arthritis, muscular strength, and psychological effects.

Conclusions Tai Chi appears to have physiological and psychosocial benefits and also appears to be safe and effective in promoting balance control, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness in older patients with chronic conditions. However, limitations or biases exist in most studies, and it is difficult to draw firm conclusions about the benefits reported. Most indications in which Tai Chi was applied lack a theoretical foundation concerning the mechanism of benefit. Well-designed studies are needed.

From the Center for Clinical Evidence Synthesis, Division of Clinical Care Research, Tufts-New England Medical Center, Boston, Mass (Drs Wang and Lau); and Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Community Studies, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec (Dr Collet). The authors have no relevant financial interest in this article.

via Arch Intern Med — Abstract: The Effect of Tai Chi on Health Outcomes in Patients With Chronic Conditions: A Systematic Review, March 8, 2004, Wang et al. 164 (5): 493.

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T'Ai Chi for Seniors: How to Gain Flexibility, Strength, and Inner Peace (Paperback)

By (author) Philip Bonifonte

List Price:	$17.99 USD
New From:	$9.95 In Stock
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Tai chi effective therapy for balance, dizziness disorders, new study finds

admin — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 23:18:23 +0000

Tai chi effective therapy for balance, dizziness disorders, new study findsby Cassie WierengaOct 06, 2009Tai chi, a slow-moving form of Chinese martial arts, may be an effective treatment option for patients suffering from dizziness and balance disorders, according to a study presented this week at the American Academy of Otolaryngology annual meeting in San Diego.“Patients overall showed significant improvements in both the frequency and severity of their dizziness and vertigo. In addition, they reported a greater confidence at performing daily tasks, and decreased fear of falling,” said Dr. Paul Lee of the New York Eye and Ear Institute in his study of 21 patients.

via Tai chi effective therapy for balance, dizziness disorders, new study finds.

Treating vertigo and dizziness with Tai Chi? – Wellness – TIME.com

admin — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 23:13:31 +0000

WellnessA healthy balance of the mind, body and spirit.Wellness Feed Daily E-mail Updates « PreviousCan air pollution cause appendicitis?Next »In Egypt, a move to outlaw the “artificial virginity hymen”Treating vertigo and dizziness with Tai Chi?Posted by Tiffany Sharples Monday, October 5, 2009 at 2:32 pmSubmit a Comment • Trackback 0 • Related Topics: Alternative Medicine, balance, dizziness, tai chi, vertigo, Vestibular disorders © Peter Frank/CorbisTai Chi, the ancient Chinese art that combines slow, controlled stretching with meditation, has long been praised by advocates of alternative medicine for its broad range of health benefits, including improved muscle tone and balance, as well as pain reduction. The National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine has funded studies analyzing the benefits of Tai Chi for everyone from cancer survivors and patients battling fibromyalgia to people with chronic heart failure and depression.And research presented this past weekend in San Diego at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, suggests that Tai Chi may benefit another group too. For patients battling vestibular disorders—a range of inner ear balance disorders that can cause vertigo, dizziness, nausea and other problems with overall balance—who haven’t had luck with more conventional treatment strategies, Tai Chi may provide some relief. The preliminary findings from a small analysis of 21 patients who had struggled with main stream therapies for their vestibular disorders, found that, after practicing Tai Chi for just two months, the participants reported experiencing a marked decrease in symptoms like vertigo and nausea, and an improvement in their balance.Though as of yet it’s unclear how Tai Chi may combat the symptoms of vestibular disorders—the researchers theorize that it is a combination of improved balance, cardiovascular function and stabilized gait—the research may offer some hope to patients unable to find relief using more conventional treatments.

via Treating vertigo and dizziness with Tai Chi? – Wellness – TIME.com.

Tai Chi Can Help You — chicagotribune.com

admin — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 23:09:00 +0000

Tai chi is often described as “meditation in motion,” but it might well be called “medication in motion.” There is growing evidence that this mind-body practice, which originated in China as a martial art, has value in treating or preventing many health problems. And you can get started even if you aren't in top shape or the best of health.

via Tai Chi Can Help You — chicagotribune.com.

Tai Chi and Knee Extensor Strength: Balance

admin — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 14:48:13 +0000

Abstract:

Wu G, Zhao F, Zhou X, Wei L.

Improvement of isokinetic knee extensor strength and reduction of postural sway in the elderly from long-term Tai Chi exercise.

Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2002;83:1364-9.

Objectives: To compare isokinetic strength of leg muscles and foot center of pressure (COP) as a measure of sway between long-term Tai Chi practitioners and controls.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Community setting. Participants: Twenty subjects in the Tai Chi group and 19 subjects in the control group (age, >55y).

Intervention: Subjects in Tai Chi group had practiced Tai Chi for a minimum of 3 years.

Main Outcome Measures: Concentric and eccentric strength of knee extensors and flexors at 60°/s and 120°/s, and foot COP displacement during quiet stance with eyes open or closed.

Results: People in the Tai Chi group had significantly higher knee extensor strength at all speeds tested (P<.013), and smaller foot COP excursions for both eyes open and eyes closed conditions (P<.05) than people in control group. No significant difference existed in knee flexors between the 2 groups (P<.713). The COP excursions correlated significantly with the eccentric strength of knee extensors (P<.07) but not with the concentric strength of knee extensors (P<.14) or with the isokinetic strength of knee flexors at most of the speeds (P<.27).

Conclusion: These findings support the hypothesis that the maintenance of eccentric strength of postural muscles in the lower extremities, which is beneficial for maintaining good postural stability, is helped through the long-term practice of Tai Chi.

via Elsevier: Article Locator.

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The Laughing Dragon Exercises for Seniors (DVD)

Director: Bob Klein
Starring: Bob Klein
Rating: Unrated

List Price:	$19.95 USD
New From:	$14.97 In Stock
Used from:	$7.50 In Stock
Release date September 1, 2004.

Tai Chi may aid stroke patients | Life and style | BMJ Group

admin — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 02:40:03 +0000

British Medical Journal

Tai chi practioners. Photograph: Frederic J Brown/AFP/Getty Images

The traditional Chinese exercise Tai Chi may help people who’ve had strokes regain their ability to balance. In a study, people were better able to balance after a 12-week course of Tai Chi than after a course of general exercise and stroke education.

What do we know already?

Having a stroke can damage the parts of the brain that help you keep your balance. Not everyone gets this problem, but some people find it hard to learn to walk again. Problems with balance can mean people are more likely to fall and injure themselves.

Tai Chi is a form of exercise where people learn to move slowly and deliberately through a sequence of standing poses. It’s usually done in smooth, flowing movements and requires a lot of concentration. It’s very popular in China, especially with older people, who often take part in outdoor classes in parks.

Tai Chi and Frailty:The Landmark Study

admin — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 02:25:40 +0000

Scholar

Results 1 – 4 of 4. (0.06 sec)

Reducing Frailty and Falls in Older Persons; An Investigation of Tai Chi and Computerized …

SL Wolf, HX Barnhart, NG Kutner, E McNeely, … – Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 1996 – pt.wkhealth.com
Cited by 727 – Related articles – BL Direct

Reducing frailty and falls in older persons: an investigation of Tai Chi and computerized …

SL Wolf, HX Barnhart, NG Kutner, E McNeely, … – Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 1996 – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of two exercise approaches, Tai Chi (TC) and
computerized balance training (BT), on specified primary outcomes (biomedical,
functional, and psychosocial indicators of frailty) and secondary outcomes ( …

Reducing frailty and falls in older persons: An investigation of Tai Chi and computerized …

SL WOLF, HX BARNHART, NG KUTNER, E … – Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 1996 – cat.inist.fr
Reducing frailty and falls in older persons: An investigation of Tai Chi
and computerized balance training. SL WOLF, HX BARNHART, NG KUTNER, E
MCNEELY, C COOGLER, TINGSEN XU Journal of the American …

[CITATION] Reducing frailty and falls in older persons: an investigation of Tai Chi and computerized …

SL Wolf, HX Barnhart, NG Kutner, E McNeely, … – Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 1996

Lebanon Senior Center to Offer Tai Chi for Seniors; Starts Oct 1st.

admin — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:50:08 +0000

The Lebanon Senior Center will offer an eight week Tai Chi for Seniors program at the brand new West Town Street Senior Center. The class begins Oct 1st, beginning at 10:30 to 11:30. Seniors, and their guest are welcom to join. Get more information from the center at 860-642-3043. A great opportunity to have some fun, improve balance, reduce stress, and see what the center has to offer for programs, activities, and faciliites.

Lisbon Senior Center “Tai Chi For Seniors” Set to Start Sept 28th

admin — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:43:44 +0000

The Lisbon Senior Center will begin it’s first Tai Chi for Seniors class on Monday, Sept 28th. The classes will be an hour long, each Monday from 1:30 to 2:30, and continue for eight weeks. More information about the Lisbon Senior Center Tai Chi class, which will be held at the Newent Road facility can be gotten by calling the center at 860-376-2329.