knee pain info

Every now and then I'll hit on something really great and that's what happened when I stumbled upon Tai Chi and its gentle warm-up exercises called Chi Gong. Close to a year ago, when I saw my doctor for a routine check-up, she told me that its time I start doing some exercise. Finding most forms of exercise to be dull and boring I was at a loss. Jogging and weight lifting weren't things I had any interest in and no amount of cajoling by the doctor (or anyone else for that matter) would do anything about it. It was then that I remembered having taken Karate classes as a small child. Karate, now that's something I could do. So I went onto Amazon and looked for a teach-yourself-guide to Karate, but found nothing. What I did find was Bill Douglas' Idiot's Guide to Tai Chi and Chi Gong. For less than twenty dollars I figured I didn't have much to lose. So I ordered it. Now I try to do a thirty minute daily workout following Douglas' instructions, and what's more, I recommend a daily Tai Chi and Chi Gong regimen to nearly all of my clients. Originating in the Buddhist temples of China and Vietnam, Tai Chi is an ancient martial art and moving meditation. With its slow but deliberate movements, it is focused and purposeful. Unlike other forms of exercise, Tai Chi is not something you simply do, rather it's an undertaking to be studied, worked, and improved. With its graceful flurries of complex yet simple parries, punches, kicks, blocks, and pushes, it stretches the mind every bit as much as it stretches the body. Utilizing ancient Chinese methods of mind-body cleansing, a half-hour regimen leaves the body of the practitioner feeling light and strong while the mind and spirit is left clear and calm. Often mental and emotional disorders result from feelings that one's life is out of control. Tai Chi helps put us back into the driver's seat of life. The dichotomies of strength and gentleness, force and calm embodied by this gentle martial art (aside from the benefit of exercise and movement in general) make it the perfect exercise regime for anyone suffering from stress, anxiety, or depression. Adding to that the emphasis placed on deep breathing, Tai Chi is the prescription for good mind-body functioning and healing. Although there are no magic cures and nothing changes overnight (and some things never get better) a Tai Chi and Chi Gong work out is a good way of regaining control over life's insecurities and setbacks. Ironically, part of the control regained by Tai Chi may have something to do with the fact that Tai Chi stresses letting go. As a therapist, I find that most of life's problems come from holding on too tightly to things over which we have no control, but when we allow ourselves to let go, things have a tendency of becoming much more manageable. Tai Chi and Chi Gong help us let go and regain manageability.

knee pain info

stratford upon avon tai chi

stratford upon avon tai chi

Ben Klempner, MSW, is a licensed social worker from New York. He has written several books and multiple articles on a variety of topics. Visit Ben's blog, Effective Family Communication, at http://effectivefamilycommunication.com