Tai Chi for Cancer Patients and Survivors
I decided that it's time I help cancer patients and survivors with my skills. If I can, in a small way, provide hope and inspiration, then it's all worth it. Wednesday morning 10 to 11. See calendar below.
The Incredible Story of Guolin: Cancer Survivor
Courtesy of Guolinqigonghk.com |
Ms. Guo Lin taught traditional Chinese painting and, at 43, was diagnosed with uterine cancer. She had her uterus removed in 1949 while in Shanghai, China. Unfortunately, it spread to her bladder and, in 1960, had half of it removed. After four additional operations, the doctors gave up and, in 1964, told her she had months to live.
Not one to give up hope, she searched for options. Then by chance, she found, while cleaning her home, ancient Qigong texts left to her by her late grandfather (a Taoist priest). Without a sifu or instructor, she self-taught herself these forms. Incredible as this sounds, in after six months, Guolin’s cancer went into remission.
Mindfulness of Normal
Courtesy of Forest Farming Community |
Recently, I revisited the practice of
mindful meditation. For those who aren't aware, it’s simply the ability the
focus on the moment.
Now think about it? How many of us can focus on one thing; for example, a job to be done
without distraction; multitasking, listening to headsets
while cooking, watching television while texting, or thinking about a multitude
of things while walking to work.
David Dorian Ross' 16 Step Yang Style Form
Don't forget to subscribe to his channel. He's a World Champion and has a great deal to offer to Tai Chi practitioners world wide!
The 70% Rule
Summer, late 1960’s, I earned college money by working in the Delano grape fields.
My Filipino co-workers were in their 60’s and 70’s, including my dad, who
worked and moved about with ease and efficiency.
Those of you who had the pleasure of doing this kind of work appreciated the conditions and methodologies needed to get through a decent ten-hour day (at the time 10-hour days were the norm).
As I struggled to keep up with this back breaking work, my dad would tell me to “take my time, but hurry up.”
Those of you who had the pleasure of doing this kind of work appreciated the conditions and methodologies needed to get through a decent ten-hour day (at the time 10-hour days were the norm).
As I struggled to keep up with this back breaking work, my dad would tell me to “take my time, but hurry up.”
I was young, strong and athletically fit. Hurrying up was not problem. Doing it efficiently like my dad and his
compatriots was not possible. I didn’t
have the wherewithal to “take my time.”
People Who Practice Tai Chi Stay Mentally Sharp
As I surf the web, I do my share of reading and, in doing so, discovered this recent article (July 10, 2015) that supports the theory that those who practice tai chi regularly stay mentally sharp. Well, that's good for me as I can attest my pencil isn't as sharp as it used to be and wonder how much dull it would be had I not practice, faithfully, my daily and early morning tai chi. I'm going to be one to lead the charge on this, validated or not. These articles and studies give me credence on why I promote this exercise and martial arts. So click on the link below and get yourself practicing tai chi everyday. It ain't no worse than taking those prescription pills every morning!!!
New Study Links Long-Term Tai Chi Mind-Body Exercise to Improved Cognitive Function in Older Adults Study Published in the July 2015 Issue of Global Advances in Health and Medicine
New Study Links Long-Term Tai Chi Mind-Body Exercise to Improved Cognitive Function in Older Adults Study Published in the July 2015 Issue of Global Advances in Health and Medicine
STRESS!!!
Number of deaths for leading causes of death:
·
Heart disease: 614,348
·
Cancer: 591,699
·
Chronic lower respiratory
diseases: 147,101
·
Accidents (unintentional
injuries): 136,053
·
Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases):
133,103
·
Alzheimer's disease: 93,541
·
Diabetes: 76,488
·
Influenza and pneumonia: 55,227
·
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and
nephrosis: 48,146
·
Intentional self-harm (suicide):
42,773
Source:
Health United States, 2015 Table 19 [PDF- 9.8 MB] (Data are for 2014) https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/leading-causes-of-death.htm
Dizziness Holding You Back?
By Robert Raad
If you’re an active, healthy boomer—but at times you experience bouts of debilitating dizziness or a strong sense of spinning—chances are you’re feeling the effects of vertigo. Vertigo is the feeling of uncontrollable movement causing one to experience their environment spinning, resulting in dizziness or nausea for the sufferer. The symptoms may be ongoing or can only happen infrequently. Hearing loss, ringing in the ears, visual disturbances, and difficulty performing physical movements—even walking, can also occur.
What’s Really Happening?
Martial Arts for Seniors
Retired baby boomers with time on their hand are now considering taking martial arts whether it be karate, tae kwon do, kung fu, or tai chi. Though many have joined the softer and less aggressive arts like qigong or tai chi, a percentage of them are donning cotton white gis and attending karate classes. Some old timers in denial attempt mix martial arts till they end up the emergency room: Mind is willing but the body says no. Many that have decided to go back into martial arts after retirement are those with some experience, quitting, years back as lower ranking belts returning to finally earn the coveted black belt. Some do so after watching their kids through the years take martial arts but didn’t have the guts to take it then. For whatever reason, it’s something that baby boomers want to do now; a bucket list kind of thing.
Cancer Hates Mind Body Breath
Though this is my story, it's not about me.
It's about all those courageous people who face the biggest challenges of their lives.
I'm talking about those who are diagnosed with cancer.
A crazy and invasive disease involving abnormal growth in a body that eats up healthy cells subsequently increases mortality to healthy individuals. I am not immune to this disease.
My goal is produce video documentary from the heart, a story where Tai Chi is used to bring hope and inspiration to those diagnosed and suffering from the big "C".
To read more go to: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/416964540/cancer-hates-mind-body-breath
It's about all those courageous people who face the biggest challenges of their lives.
I'm talking about those who are diagnosed with cancer.
A crazy and invasive disease involving abnormal growth in a body that eats up healthy cells subsequently increases mortality to healthy individuals. I am not immune to this disease.
My goal is produce video documentary from the heart, a story where Tai Chi is used to bring hope and inspiration to those diagnosed and suffering from the big "C".
To read more go to: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/416964540/cancer-hates-mind-body-breath
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