A Life Altering Experience

I needed to fulfill my Physical Education credit, so I thumbed through the UMBC [University of Maryland Baltimore County] catalog. The first class that caught my eye was a T’ai Chi Chih course. The description entailed promoting awareness and physical fitness of the mind-body-sprit connection. As a Visual and Performing Arts major, I am accustomed and encouraged to experience new endeavors in my educational journey. However, what I was about to experience would be more than I had ever imagined.

A few days prior to the class beginning, I underwent laser eye surgery because I was legally blind. I knew the recovery time would be prolonged and extensive do to the severity of my case. The first day of class I arrived early to introduce myself to the instructor, Ms Sirkis, and inform her of my condition. When she spoke, I immediately became calm, relaxed, and comfortable. I knew this would be a wonderful experience. As class began the energy that Ms. Sirkis exuded was very apparent. My classmates seemed receptive to her engaging teaching style and to the continuity of the T’ai Chi Chih movements. As I left class that evening I felt noticeably different. It was a good feeling, but somewhat out of the ordinary.

Known side effects of laser surgery include severely dry eyes and a chance to reach 20/20 eyesight over a six-week period. I arrived for my weekly post-op appointment with my ophthalmologist. And as I went through a sequence of tests, my doctor had a confused yet astonished look upon her face. She informed me that my sight in each eye was better than 20/20. The dry patches were completely gone. In her 30 years of practice and conducted research studies, she had never seen a patient recover at such a rapid rate. I informed her of my recent enrollment in the T’ai Chi Chih course. She appeared skeptical, however, the prognosis was great and I was happy.

I continually made great strides in recovery after surgery. My ophthalmologist is still puzzled by the quick mending of my eyes. I am sad the class ended, but I am forever grateful for the lasting impression T’ai Chi Chih has had on me. This course has not only proven beneficial, but actually life altering. As Justin Stone says, “Students who realize that practice is absolutely necessary often experience profound changes during the eight week beginning course.” I have experienced the vital force and feel that T’ai Chi Chih movements are necessary to lead a healthy and balanced life. I am hopeful that this will provoke at least one person to branch out and experience the wonderful healing powers of T’ai Chi Chih.

Changes After the Third Class

By Patty Friddle, Lake Charles, LA

My experience with T’ai Chi Chih has been awesome. When I first started the classes, my instructor, Caroline Guilott, told me that most people experience some type of change in their lives, whether emotional or physical. I did not believe her until the third class. For most of my life, I have been somewhat of a counselor to everyone around me, never talking much about how I felt, but willingly helping others. I began to carry the burdens of my family, friends, and co-workers until I started T’ai Chi Chih classes. After practicing for four weeks, my attitude began to change. I still would listen to people’s problems, but I wouldn’t carry them home with me. My best friend said that I was becoming mean and I seemed like I didn’t care – which, of course, wasn’t the truth. But I was becoming more aware that I should keep a little energy for myself and not be so ready to give it all away. T’ai Chi Chih has certainly done me a world of good. My instructor is very patient and she makes learning very simple and enjoyable. I feel that the T’ai Chi Chih movements are life-long.