A Miraculous Recovery

About 15 years ago, I began to practice T’ai Chi Chih on my own after buying Justin Stone’s VHS tape. At that time, I was an international consulting actuary leading a very stressful and demanding business life, complete with extensive international and US travel. But I found that practicing the moves had a noticeably calming effect. Unfortunately, I only practiced TCC for a few months.

By the time retirement rolled around, I was burned out. All those years of incessant travel and tight deadlines had taken their toll. Eighteen months ago, things took a turn for the worse. I needed emergency surgery to remove my gall bladder, and then I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, which required more surgery. I felt very low, I had little energy, and my general physical condition had become very poor.

Late last year, in hope of recovering my health, I tried TCC again through a class at the local adult learning center. This has turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life. I picked up the movements fairly quickly, thanks in small part to my self-practice all those years ago but largely owing to our wonderful teacher, Kate Van Frank. Almost from the start, I began to do the full routine daily (and sometimes twice a day). This rapid re-introduction to TCC has been much aided by the thoughtful advice and encouragement of Kate, and also by studying Justin Stone and the group of fine teachers on the Joy Thru Movement DVD.

The beneficial effects of this concentrated re-immersion were immediately obvious. With the very first session I experienced many sensations associated with a blockage (and subsequent flow) of Chi. It has now been several months and I’ve noticed, among other things, that my skin tone has improved, my hair is getting thicker, and my sense of smell has increased. But above all, my energy, flexibility, and balance have returned – along with a sense of serenity and joy. I feel better and healthier than I have felt in years. My recovery feels miraculous. This time I will not be giving up my daily practice of TCC. As Justin Stone says, “If you practice every day, you will get real rewards from TCC.” My experience is ample proof of this wisdom.