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Tai Chi Might Help Stroke Survivors Avoid FallsSmall study suggests the ancient art helps maintain physical balanceFebruary 6, 2013 RSS Feed Print
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 6 (HealthDay News) -- The ancient Chinese discipline of Tai Chi may help modern-day stroke patients avoid debilitating falls, a small new study suggests. Stroke survivors suffer seven times as many falls as healthy adults. These falls can cause fractures, decrease mobility and increase the fear of falling, which can lead to social isolation or dependence on others, the researchers noted. "Learning how to find and maintain your balance after a stroke is a challenge," lead author Ruth Taylor-Piliae, an assistant professor at the University of Arizona College of Nursing, in Tucson, said in an American Stroke Association news release. Taylor-Piliae's team tracked 89 people, who had an average age of 70 and had suffered a stroke an average of three years before the start of the study. Twenty-eight of the patients received usual care, 31 were assigned to a national fitness program for Medicare-eligible seniors called SilverSneakers and 30 practiced Tai Chi. Tai Chi, an exercise routine that dates back to ancient China, includes physical movement, mental concentration and relaxed breathing. The people in the Tai Chi and SilverSneakers programs did one-hour classes three times a week for 12 weeks. The usual-care group received a weekly phone call and written material about physical activity. During the three months of the study, the participants suffered a total of 34 falls in their homes, mainly from slipping or tripping. There were 15 falls in the usual-care group, 14 falls in the SilverSneakers group and only five falls in the Tai Chi group, according to the findings, which were to be presented Wednesday at the annual meeting of the American Stroke Association in Honolulu. "Tai Chi is effective in improving both static and dynamic balance, which is important to prevent falls," Taylor-Piliae said. She added that Tai Chi is also "readily available in most U.S. cities and is relatively inexpensive." One stroke expert not connected to the study said he's seen the discipline's benefits firsthand. "Tai Chi is an exercise form that emphasizes balance, core strength and integration of mind and body in movement," said Dr. Jesse Weinberger, professor of neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, in New York City. "It has previously been shown to improve motor function and prevent falls in the elderly and in patients with Parkinson's disease. "In addition to being a vascular neurologist, I also practice the Yang style of the Tai Chi form and I have several patients in my class who have had strokes or have Parkinson's and they show improvement in balance and coordination," Weinberger said. "The main benefit of Tai Chi for the stroke patient is the integration of mind and body through meditation in motion to improve motor control," he said. Taylor-Piliae agreed that Tai Chi offers a wide range of benefits beyond the physical. "Psycho-social benefits include less depression, anxiety and stress, and better quality of life," she said. Findings presented at medical meetings should be considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal. Sign up at Kiluaea District Park on May 13, 14, or 15 for classes to be held on:
Tuesdays 9AM INTRO Class for all new students Thursdays 9AM Beginners' Class for those with tai chi experience Thursdays 10AM INTRO/ NOVICE Class for those with little or no experience. For more details click here. Mondays 530-630PM INTRO Class for new students. Registration for evening class to be held in class only. Email me at [email protected] if you are not able to register on these days.  At the Temple of Heaven we were met by tai chi Masters who taught us the finer movements of our Yang 24 Short Form.  We also did tai chi every place we visited. Click on the picture above to see us doing tai chi at the Great Wall, the Bund, Summer Palace, Beijing's Bird Nest Stadium, Three Gorge Dam, on the Yangtze River as well as in Xian along side the terra cotta soldiers!!
When we play tai chi we sometimes feel something different but we're not sure how and why it came to be. To me, this is the power of tai chi. It's like magic...we don't really understand why it happens but it is very rewarding, fun, and makes us wonder, remember and go back for more!!  Pres.Peter Chan, Lulu Shen-Chow, Lucy Chun, Rep. Calvin Say, VP Laurie Chun, Dr. Joseph Young, Mayor Kirk Caldwell stand in honor of Ms. Irene Lai. Dearest Lucille and Luk Tung Kuen members,
Thank you very much for making our mother's 100 birthday such a special and memorable event. She so loved being among you and meeting with Mayor Caldwell and former Speaker of the House Calvin Say and many others! Lucille, most of all, we were very touched by the wonderful speech you delivered in which you were able to capture her "essence" in a few short sentences! (Amazing how you have come to know her so well in such the brief times she shares with you!) My brothers and I appreciate the fact that you and others in your group have become part of the "village" that sustains our mother in the community and not in an institution. She so looks forward to the days when Alicia Yee and Marion Leong come to pick her up and she becomes part of your excercise group. Her quality of life has been enriched and enhanced because of you and the group of special people that you inspire. My brothers and I have mixed feelings as we watch our dear centenarian mother age but at the same time we are so grateful for the many long years of good health and special memories she has experienced. Your Luk Tung Kuen group has played a major part of life in her "golden years." Lucille, when she was first introduced to your exercise, she demonstrated to all of our friends and relatives what she learned from her sessions with you! ( It was a riot!) But we could tell that she was totally committed to attending and would ride the bus clear across town to attend! Thank you Lucille for being such an extraordinary community volunteer. Please know that you have made meaningful contributions in the life of centenarian Irene Lai and that my brothers and I are most appreciative, Please convey our thanks to the Luk Tung Kuen Board Members for their generous luncheon invitation to us, the certificate honoring her birthday, and for the many friends and positive benefits she has gleaned from her exercise sessions they sponsor. With affection and thanks, Sylvia Sugimoto and family  The Grand Prize was a Tai Chi Sword!!  Our first lesson for our add on class brought out a nice combination and mix of a variety of students and together we all learned something NEW. We learned to incorporate our breathing to enhance our energy as we move in a concerted effort.
Click here for ADD On Class: Lesson #1 New Add On Classes will begin tomorrow, April 11, Thursday at 9AM. Our focus is to refine our tai chi by co-ordinating our body movements + breathing.
Tuesday Add On Class will begin on April 30, 9AM. everydaytaichi students are welcome to attend any or both of these sessions on a walk on basis, $2/ class. |
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