T'ai Chi

An interview with Judy Jones, 
practitioner and certified instructor of T'ai Chi Chih
by Laurie Long

The ancient Chinese practice of T'ai Chi (pronounced Tie Chee) has spread from the parks of mainland China to the dojos, community centers, and homes of America. Many people have seen film clips of large parks and squares in China, filled with people of all ages moving in a slow-motion ballet in perfect synchronization with their teacher and each other.

But few actually understand what T'ai Chi is all about and why so many people from all walks of life are practicing it.

Judy Jones is a T'ai Chi Chih practitioner and certified T'ai Chi Chih teacher. When asked how T'ai Chi might specifically benefit persons with MS, Judy explained that it was very helpful in improving balance through focusing on one's center. Regular practice also helps to control fatigue and gives you more energy. It assists in muscle spasms and general body relaxation, as well as exercising muscles without overheating the body.  Judy says that she knows of T'ai Chi Chih students who have been able to stabilize and control their blood pressure solely through the practice of T'ai Chi. Many students have also found that regular practice lessens symptoms of depression and helps them maintain a calmer, more serene inner state.

Techniques such as meditation, progressive relaxation and autogenic training have been found to alter heart rate, blood pressure, brain wave activity, neurotransmitter profile, skin temperature and muscle control. Exercise that initiates only minimal to moderate body movement has been found to be effective and beneficial. Moderate body movement that occurs within a context of deep relaxation, for example, is common to T'ai Chi (& Qigong) and Yoga. T'ai Chi has been called 'meditation with movement', and its focus on relaxation, centering and correct breathing while performing the circular, flowing movements of the form have helped thousands of practitioners both physically and mentally.

T'ai Chi and Yoga have become more and more accepted in the medical community as very useful for people who cannot engage in more physically vigorous rehab programs, such as the elderly and the disabled. Those with MS find that an exercise which does not overheat them is very helpful. People from all walks of life find the calmness and peace generated by the practice of T'ai Chi to be greatly beneficial.

T'ai Chi Chih, Judy explains, is just one type (or form) of T'ai Chi. While Tai Chi Chih is more easily adaptable for people with disabilities, all forms of T'ai Chi can be greatly beneficial. T'ai Chi Chih is a form of T'ai Chi which was developed by Justin Stone, a master of T'ai Chi Chuan. T'ai Chi Chuan is a more traditional T'ai Chi form which has over 108 movements. Judy's instructor, Justin Stone, practiced and taught T'ai Chi Chuan for many years, but found that most students were unable to keep up with their practice because of the length and difficulty of the form. In 1974 he developed a form with simplified movements, while keeping the benefits of relaxation, energy flow, calmness and centeredness. The result was the 19 movements and 1 pose of  T'ai Chi Chih. Justin Stone says that in addition to its benefits, T'ai Chi Chih also reduces stress, helps weight control, lowers blood pressure, gives you more energy and longevity, and helps relaxation.

Judy works in Wellness Works at Evergreen Hospital Medical Center. She has worked for years with cancer patients and organized an integrative medicine class for the center in 1992, which started her interest in alternative forms of rehab exercises. Judy now teaches T'ai Chi Chih to a broad spectrum of people; from the wheelchair bound to students in high schools. She has even had teens with ADD (attention deficit disorder) practice T'ai Chi Chih with great benefit, and has used T'ai Chi Chih successfully with people with head injuries, strokes, and muscular dystrophy. Judy explains, "When people who can't do other activities are able to practice T'ai Chi, they feel a great sense of accomplishment."

"The great thing about T'ai Chi Chih", says Judy, "is that it is easy to learn and easy to practice. The 19 movements are covered in an 8 week class and, with regular daily practice, you can feel the benefits before the end of those 8 weeks. "She points out that this form can be done either sitting or standing, allowing for people with different levels of physical ability to participate in the same class. Judy also explains that, because Tai Chi Chih requires no more space that an arm's length circle, it can be practiced almost anywhere. Judy described the underlying principles of the form as "the movement and balancing of energy". "But even if you know nothing about the principles behind the movements", she explains, "you still derive the benefits of the practice. "Judy points out that she often does not go into the Chinese explanation of Yin and Yang principles of balancing Chi energy because it is "too Eastern" for many of the people she teaches.

Judy also points out that T'ai Chi Chih is, in many ways, closer to Qigong (or Chi Kung) than to traditional T'ai Chi. Qigong shares many aspects of T'ai Chi, but focuses much more on deep, relaxed breathing and the internal flow of Chi energy. The name Qigong means "to cultivate and refine through practice one's vitality or life force". "With T'ai Chi Chih", explains Judy, "you move inwardly". Like T'ai Chi Chih, Qigong is practiced moving the body rather than the feet. Both T'ai Chi Chih and Qigong, Judy feels, are easily adapted to working with the disabled.

T'ai Chi is a simple way to generate vital health and peace of mind. Some people claim it has transformed their lives. Enhanced coordination, better balance, increased flexibility, improved posture, as well as moving more gracefully and feeling more energetic, with a greater sense of health and well-being are just some of the differences practitioners of T'ai Chi have noticed. Justin Stone, originator of Tai Chi Chih, explained it this way:  "Serenity in the midst of activity...It is not by refraining from action that we achieve (serenity), but by maintaining a firm, unchanging center in the midst of disturbance. This serenity spills over into our everyday lives, making possible a calm, joyous interior even during the most hectic times."

To learn more about T'ai Chi Chih, visit their website at http://www.taichichih.org  

To learn more about T'ai Chi and Qigong in general, visit any of these websites:
http://www.healthy.net/clinic/therapy/qigongandtaiji/
http://www.holisticmed.com/www/qigong.html  

Was this information helpful? Then please consider making a donation. We are a small, independent nonprofit agency and are dependent on donations from our supporters. Thank you from all the staff at the MSA.