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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.

See larger image 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 Used from: $6.99 In Stock

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

via Tai Chi Can Help You — chicagotribune.com.

via The Health Benefits of Tai Chi – Harvard Health Publications.

via The Health Benefits of Tai Chi – Harvard Health Publications.

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.

© 2002 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

via Elsevier: Article Locator.

See larger image 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.

Augmenting Immune Responses to Varicella Zoster Virus in Older Adults: A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Tai Chi.

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 55(4):511-517, April 2007.

Irwin, Michael R. MD *; Olmstead, Richard PhD *; Oxman, Michael N. MD

Abstract:

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of a behavioral intervention, Tai Chi, on resting and vaccine-stimulated levels of cell-mediated immunity (CMI) to varicella zoster virus (VZV) and on health functioning in older adults.

DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, controlled trial with allocation to two arms (Tai Chi and health education) for 25 weeks. After 16 weeks of intervention, subjects were vaccinated with VARIVAX, the live attenuated Oka/Merck VZV vaccine licensed to prevent varicella.

SETTING: Two urban U.S. communities between 2001 and 2005.

PARTICIPANTS: A total of 112 healthy older adults aged 59 to 86.

MEASUREMENTS: The primary endpoint was a quantitative measure of VZV-CMI. Secondary outcomes were scores on the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36).

RESULTS: The Tai Chi group showed higher levels of VZV-CMI than the health education group (P<.05), with a significant rate of increase (P<.001) that was nearly twice that found in the health education group. Tai Chi alone induced an increase in VZV-CMI that was comparable in magnitude with that induced by varicella vaccine, and the two were additive; Tai Chi, together with vaccine, produced a substantially higher level of VZV-CMI than vaccine alone. The Tai Chi group also showed significant improvements in SF-36 scores for physical functioning, bodily pain, vitality, and mental health (P<.05).

CONCLUSION: Tai Chi augments resting levels of VZV-specific CMI and boosts VZV-CMI of the varicella vaccine.

(C) 2007 by the American Geriatrics Society

via Journal of the American Geriatrics Society – Abstract: Volume 55(4) April 2007 p 511-517 Augmenting Immune Responses to Varicella Zoster Virus in Older Adults: A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Tai Chi..

Abbott RB, Hui KK, Hays RD, Li MD, Pan T.

Center for East West Medicine, Department of Medicine and Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA and RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA 90407, USA.

This study examined whether a traditional low-impact mind-body exercise, Tai Chi, affects health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) and headache impact in an adult population suffering from tension-type headaches. Forty-seven participants were randomly assigned to either a 15 week intervention program of Tai Chi instruction or a wait-list control group. HRQOL (SF-36v2) and headache status (HIT-6trade mark) were obtained at baseline and at 5, 10 and 15 weeks post-baseline during the intervention period. Statistically significant (P < 0.05) improvements in favor of the intervention were present for the HIT score and the SF-36 pain, energy/fatigue, social functioning, emotional well-being and mental health summary scores. A 15 week intervention of  Tai Chi practice was effective in reducing headache impact and also effective in improving perceptions of some aspects of physical and mental health.

via A Randomized Controlled Trial of Tai Chi for Tensi…[Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2007] – PubMed Result.

Be clear when explaining your symptoms to your medical doctor. In addition to modern medicine we can all benefit from other forms of health care.

Tai Chi is a noncompetitive, self-paced system of gentle physical exercise.From the Center of Optimal Health’s website: At The Center for Optimal Health, we are very passionate about sharing our knowledge with the public. Any groups interested in scheduling a lecture or class about weight management, diabetes prevention, menopausal hormones, and other health topics, please contact our Office Manager, Judy Klinger, to make arrangements. For more information, call us at 949 872-2850.

“Tai Chi ClassTai chi ti-CHE is sometimes described as “meditation in motion.” Originally developed in China as a form of self-defense, this graceful form of exercise has existed for about three centuries. It’s becoming increasingly popular around the world, both as a basic exercise program and as a complement to other health care methods.Recently many studies have been to uncover the health benefits of Tai Chi. Research shows that practicing Tai Chi regularly may:

Reduce anxiety and depression

Improve balance and coordination,

reducing the number of falls

Improve sleep quality

Slow bone loss in women following menopause

Reduce high blood pressure

Improve cardiovascular fitness

Relieve chronic pain

Reduce waist circumference and

improve blood sugar levels

Improve everyday physical functioning

To do Tai Chi, you perform a defined series of postures or movements in a slow, graceful manner. Each movement or posture flows into the next.

via Tai Chi: for heart disease?.

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.