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Over 50's
We taught our
tai chi for
health syllabus to the over 50's for 7 years at Age
Concern in Newcastle and Age Concern North Tyneside.
Our students had a variety of health conditions.
We had referrals from Freeman Hospital, medical students visited the class
regularly and the classes were featured in the local newspapers.
Benefits
One of the referrals from Freeman Hospital was a rheumatoid arthritis group
containing about 15 patients.
The tai chi tuition was so successful that the group disbanded within a
year.
Most of the students returned to work and the rest joined the main tai
chi class.
Worth a try
The Age Concern students mentioned above just did
our 'normal' exercises; they did not receive
bespoke, individualised therapy/advice.
They simply tried the qigong and tai chi exercises.
And their health improved...
12 weeks
There have been a number of medical trials to assess the health benefits of
tai chi.
They determined that daily practice between lessons has
helped a lot of people improve their fitness.
It can take up to 12 weeks for the
health benefits of daily tai chi practice
to have an effect.
Exercise
People think that tai chi training is going to involve some sort of
one-to-one therapy.
This is not correct.
A tai chi class is an
exercise class.
It addresses:
•
Balance
•
Alignment
•
Muscular tension
•
Coordination
•
Mobility
•
Moderation
•
Ergonomic body use
•
Strength
•
Patience
•
Body awareness
Your wellbeing
Doctors often suggest tai chi to people who are overweight,
stressed or suffering from
fatigue.
The well-meaning doctor is hoping that the patient will take responsibility
for their own wellbeing.
Your responsibility
Please don't ask us to fix you up.
We are not medical professionals.
It is up to you to manage your own medical condition both in and out of
class.
Medical questions?
If you have any medical questions, your
doctor is the person to speak to.
A tai chi teacher is not qualified (or permitted) to give advice on your unique
medical condition.
Go see your doctor.
I've been trying to get this point over for years. It's mainly
prevalent in the qigong world. We're not doctors. If students train
regularly then they may gain health benefits but we can't pretend we can
cure them! So many times I've seen last-gap causes who are often very
over-weight and have done no exercise who have been referred to by doctors.
The reality is that we can offer assistance for those who are prepared to
train but most doctors have little idea of what is actually happening in a
tai chi class and, then again, there is such a variety of aspects taught in
the many differing classes available.
(Ronnie Robinson)
Page created 26 September 1994
Last updated
6 October 1997