Starfarm Tai Chi Classes in CT

Find Tai Chi classes in CT with Laddie (860 455 0353)

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

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.

via Tai Chi Can Help You — chicagotribune.com.

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.

Read More via Tai Chi may aid stroke patients | Life and style | BMJ Group.