“T’ai Chi Chih® has changed my life,” say many people who practice TCC regularly. In fact, it is one of the most common statements of gratitude TCC originator Justin Stone has heard from students over many years. Improvements in physical, emotional, and mental health are enjoyed by students of all ages – children, teens, young adults, mid-lifers and seniors. The benefits are often quickly apparent to newcomers, as well as cumulative for those who have practiced TCC for years and decades.
Quotations below are from students and teachers, provided as inspiration and an invitation. This information is not intended to replace any medical treatment by, or perspectives from, your own health care provider.
T’ai Chih Chi provides arthritis relief after chemo and therapy recommended …
“I played competitive volleyball for 20 years and developed severe arthritis in my fingers. When the arthritis doctor had me fill out a form to indicate my pain level, I placed zeros in all the categories. She recommended that I be put on chemotherapy to retard the progress of the arthritis. I went to an orthopedic surgeon to see if he could straighten the fingers, and the only thing he could offer was to remove the finger joints and fuse the finger bones. Before I started TCC, my fingers hurt and were so stiff I could hardly bend them. When I do TCC, my fingers shake as the Chi flows through them. The arthritis is still there, but the pain is almost gone as is my need to take pain medicine.” – Ann Rutherford, TCC teacher
Teacher feels younger at age 61 than she did at age 48 …
“I am the very fortunate survivor of the polio epidemic that swept the West Coast during WWII. I recovered and led a pretty normal life until my 40s when I began to develop osteoarthritis. This seems to be aggravated by what is called “post-polio syndrome,” a condition similar to fibromyalgia involving weakness and pain. Medication brought little relief until I began regularly practicing TCC. I’m down to one Naprosyn per day and feel better and younger at 61 than I did at 48. I’m convinced that TCC is the best pain reliever available and there’s no danger of overdosing or having unpleasant side effects!” – Carol Nelson-Selby, TCC teacher
Knee pain gone after four weeks of TCC …
“The doctor diagnosed me with arthritis in the knees. I couldn’t get up out of a chair. After four weeks of TCC lessons, I was walking around without stiff knees or legs.” – TCC teacher
Unless otherwise indicated, all quotations are printed with permission from The Vital Force, the quarterly journal of T’ai Chi Chih. The Blooming the Flower series and Blooming the Spirit are published by the T’ai Chi Chih Association, Albuquerque, NM.