A Student’s Recovery

About one week after a back operation, I decided to try T’ai Chi Chih to help my recovery. I was able to get out of bed and walk short distances. I was alone in the room, so I walked to the other empty bed by the window. I touched the foot of the bed for support once in awhile. My legs were wobbly.

I started the first movement. I could not sway on my feet, so I stood still and moved my arms. Then I started the platter, and I could not balance with the left foot forward, so I stood straight for both platter movements and the rest that followed. I did not dare bend my knees. I remember it was cold in the room. As I continued T’ai Chi, I felt warmer.

Daughter on the Mountain Top and in the Valley felt so good in my chest. My right arm was very sore where I had been injured, but it didn’t matter, for after a few repetitions, I felt a marvelous opening of my chest. It was as if my chest was filling with air and strength. I kept my inhales and exhales in time with my movements. That felt so good. I was able to gradually breathe deeper and deeper without pain. It was becoming easier to move. It felt like little pockets or corners inside were popping open or being released in some unknown way.

I stopped that first time with Push/Pull. I felt a little strained standing that long. An aide came in and interrupted me, and I went back to bed. The second time I tried T’ai Chi Chih in my room, I continued on from where I had stopped the first time. Pulling Taffy was hard due to crossing past my mid-section with a slight twist. I mostly skipped it. Whatever part I did I felt a lift of energy. At first it only lasted a short time.

When I returned home a few days later I tried practice each day. I was stronger now, my legs weren’t so wobbly, and I could put one foot in front and sway. I could turn now for Pulling Taffy. I finally did all the movements.

Then, 3 weeks after my operation, my daughter, who was staying with me for a week, drove me to the T’ai Chi Chih practice at Santa Margarita Lake where I joined other students. I was able to go through the entire form with much more ease than I’ve experienced before. What a nice lift that was! A lot of my discomfort disappears after doing T’ai Chi Chih.

I now walk 10 minutes to a small park near my home and do TCC practice and walk home. It takes me a little less than an hour. I feel warmer, I breathe deeper, and my discomfort disappears for several hours.

T’ai Chi Chih is wonderful therapy for me.

The above testimony for TCC was written by one of Tais Hoffman’s students who was in a serious accident on her bicycle recently.