Exercise and Diet
T'ai Chi Chih - Moving Meditation
By: Nicole Hemmenway
For over a decade, I have grown accustomed to the daily tribulations associated with chronic pain. The burning, stabbing, shooting pains are constant reminders of the torture and agony my body deals with every day – pain is just a part of my life.
Nearly seven years ago, I was re-diagnosed as having the neurological and chronic pain disorder, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). A fluke incident my senior year in high school caused me to pull to tendons in my right hand, ultimately flaring-up my nerves. I lost the mobility of my right hand. It has left me in excruciating pain that has spread throughout my body. Depending on the severity of the pain, I have been wheelchair bound, bed-ridden, and even hospitalized.
After trying different therapies, medications, and surgeries, I began looking elsewhere: outside the box. This decision was a turning point in my life and in my own healing process. I started researching different complementary treatments that are used in Eastern medicine to determine what would be the most beneficial to my specific needs. Being a firm believer in the idea that the Universe will provide you with whatever you need, I opened myself up to new possibilities...and I discovered T'ai Chi Chih.
T'ai Chi Chih is a simpler form of T'ai Chi Ch'uan, based on only nineteen movements and one pose. It was developed by Justin Stone in 1974, and is referred to as a "moving meditation." The purpose of T'ai Chi Chih is to increase circulation while balancing and developing the body's vital energy, called chi. Slow, gentle movements create a soft, flowing, continual motion aligning the body with the mind and soul. People of all ages and all physical conditions can follow this unique, healing art – T'ai Chi Chih can be practiced standing or sitting, and movements can be adapted to suit a person's specific needs.
The benefits of this technique are extraordinary. With regular practice, T'ai Chi Chih balances the body and improves circulation, breathing, flexibility and coordination. It can help you reduce stress and tension, while bringing about relaxation, inner peace and serenity. Many people have experienced increased energy, decreased blood pressure, and an improvement in chronic ailments. It also helps in strengthening muscles and bones. With regular practice, T'ai Chi Chih improves balance, physical fitness, flexibility, and stamina. It promotes longevity while increasing quality of life too.
When I initially began my own practice three years ago, I had difficultly standing and walking because of the dizziness and light-headedness I experienced as a side effect of opiods. At first, I was a bit skeptical of any long-lasting results from this form of therapy. I also was hesitant about how my body would respond, fearing further damage to my already damaged body. My wonderful teacher called me before our first class to learn more about my disease and how it affected my body. She reassured me that practicing T'ai Chi Chih would not jeopardize my health or cause further damage and recommended that I take it slowly, only move my upper body while sitting in a chair. I agreed with her suggestions and followed her instructions. The first session went amazingly well!
My instructor guided me through that first hour, closely watching my every move, making sure I did not overdo anything. While engaging in the first movement, I felt a hot tingling sensation throughout my arms – it wasn't exactly painful but it wasn't pleasant either. Right away, I informed my teacher of this sensation and she told me to slow down and breathe. She explained that this was a sign that blood was returning to the damaged part of my body and my own energy-force was healing my body. I believed in her and continued with the practice. About 10 minutes later, I noticed my right hand loosening and my thumb twitching, something that had not happened in more than a year! I was flushed and a bit shaky, mostly because of the changes occurring within my body. The rest of the first class is a blur, but I remember being encouraged and overwhelmed by the improvements. Three classes later, I began feeling less pain whenever I practiced the movements. Within four classes, I was able to stand and complete the full movement. I could even visualize the practice and obtain some relief!
I have responded extremely well to T'ai Chi Chih. I feel calm and at peace while practicing this art. I am grounded throughout the day and feel energized. I believe in this technique and have witnessed the benefits firsthand. I still deal with pain on a daily basis, but learning other therapies to help manage the discomfort has allowed me to regain control of my life and health.
Nicole Hemmenway lives in California. She's lived with CRPS for more than 10 years and works to increase awareness of chronic pain and options available to treat pain by speaking at medical conferences around the country.
For more information about T'ai Chi Chih or to find an accredited instructor, visit http://www.taichichih.org/ or http://www.taichichihassociation.org/.
American Tai Chih Association
Nearly seven years ago, I was re-diagnosed as having the neurological and chronic pain disorder, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). A fluke incident my senior year in high school caused me to pull to tendons in my right hand, ultimately flaring-up my nerves. I lost the mobility of my right hand. It has left me in excruciating pain that has spread throughout my body. Depending on the severity of the pain, I have been wheelchair bound, bed-ridden, and even hospitalized.
After trying different therapies, medications, and surgeries, I began looking elsewhere: outside the box. This decision was a turning point in my life and in my own healing process. I started researching different complementary treatments that are used in Eastern medicine to determine what would be the most beneficial to my specific needs. Being a firm believer in the idea that the Universe will provide you with whatever you need, I opened myself up to new possibilities...and I discovered T'ai Chi Chih.
T'ai Chi Chih is a simpler form of T'ai Chi Ch'uan, based on only nineteen movements and one pose. It was developed by Justin Stone in 1974, and is referred to as a "moving meditation." The purpose of T'ai Chi Chih is to increase circulation while balancing and developing the body's vital energy, called chi. Slow, gentle movements create a soft, flowing, continual motion aligning the body with the mind and soul. People of all ages and all physical conditions can follow this unique, healing art – T'ai Chi Chih can be practiced standing or sitting, and movements can be adapted to suit a person's specific needs.
The benefits of this technique are extraordinary. With regular practice, T'ai Chi Chih balances the body and improves circulation, breathing, flexibility and coordination. It can help you reduce stress and tension, while bringing about relaxation, inner peace and serenity. Many people have experienced increased energy, decreased blood pressure, and an improvement in chronic ailments. It also helps in strengthening muscles and bones. With regular practice, T'ai Chi Chih improves balance, physical fitness, flexibility, and stamina. It promotes longevity while increasing quality of life too.
When I initially began my own practice three years ago, I had difficultly standing and walking because of the dizziness and light-headedness I experienced as a side effect of opiods. At first, I was a bit skeptical of any long-lasting results from this form of therapy. I also was hesitant about how my body would respond, fearing further damage to my already damaged body. My wonderful teacher called me before our first class to learn more about my disease and how it affected my body. She reassured me that practicing T'ai Chi Chih would not jeopardize my health or cause further damage and recommended that I take it slowly, only move my upper body while sitting in a chair. I agreed with her suggestions and followed her instructions. The first session went amazingly well!
My instructor guided me through that first hour, closely watching my every move, making sure I did not overdo anything. While engaging in the first movement, I felt a hot tingling sensation throughout my arms – it wasn't exactly painful but it wasn't pleasant either. Right away, I informed my teacher of this sensation and she told me to slow down and breathe. She explained that this was a sign that blood was returning to the damaged part of my body and my own energy-force was healing my body. I believed in her and continued with the practice. About 10 minutes later, I noticed my right hand loosening and my thumb twitching, something that had not happened in more than a year! I was flushed and a bit shaky, mostly because of the changes occurring within my body. The rest of the first class is a blur, but I remember being encouraged and overwhelmed by the improvements. Three classes later, I began feeling less pain whenever I practiced the movements. Within four classes, I was able to stand and complete the full movement. I could even visualize the practice and obtain some relief!
I have responded extremely well to T'ai Chi Chih. I feel calm and at peace while practicing this art. I am grounded throughout the day and feel energized. I believe in this technique and have witnessed the benefits firsthand. I still deal with pain on a daily basis, but learning other therapies to help manage the discomfort has allowed me to regain control of my life and health.
Nicole Hemmenway lives in California. She's lived with CRPS for more than 10 years and works to increase awareness of chronic pain and options available to treat pain by speaking at medical conferences around the country.
For more information about T'ai Chi Chih or to find an accredited instructor, visit http://www.taichichih.org/ or http://www.taichichihassociation.org/.
More Information
American Tai Chih Association