How Tai Chi can help heal

The recovery program attracts people from around the world who are looking to deal with a variety of health conditions, such as recovery from heart attack or stroke, arthritis and Parkinson's disease. Some participants were grappling with emotional issues; others just wanted to improve their overall well-being. The program also entices those who are stressed out from their jobs and need some sort of rejuvenation.

During the week we focused on 17 moves, doing them repeatedly over the course of each day. I started feeling better right away, and the swelling in my ankles went down within the first couple of days. I had taken my cane with me but didn't use it. What's more, I haven't used it since.

I know it sounds incredible, but by the third day I had regained my ability to put both my feet flat on the floor and could – at long last – stand in the shower with my eyes closed and maintain my balance. I started sleeping more soundly, too, and I was feeling energetic, confident and much happier than I'd been in a long time. For me, there's also a psychological boost from doing tai chi in a group, a spillover of positive energy from the other people who are doing the moves with you.

In February I took up regular tai chi classes in Newmarket again, intent on maintaining the health improvements I'd experienced during the recovery week. By May I was walking long distances and I had returned to swimming – one of my passions. And, of huge importance to me, my balance was fully restored. One evening at home while I was watching TV, I suddenly realized I was actually sitting on the floor. I hadn't been able to do that in years. I was reclaiming my body. What's more, I suddenly had more flexibility than when I was 17 years old! I was getting my old life back.

A setback
About 18 months later, I had another accident. It happened when I moved into a new apartment in Toronto and tried, on my own, to shift the refrigerator just a few inches. I slipped backward and hit my back, neck and head. A week and a half later, somebody bumped into me and I fell on the sidewalk, hitting my head once more. My balance issues returned, and I fell several more times in the following weeks.

A series of scans and X-rays revealed I had a whiplash-like injury to my neck and swelling in the soft tissues at the back of my head, which is where our centre of balance is located. I also had problems concentrating and suffered really bad headaches. At the time I was enrolled in massage school, which I had to give up because I couldn't stand for very long. I was also doing less tai chi because of my busy schedule. That had to change.


Page 2 of 3 -- On page 3, find out where you can find tai chi in your community.