Belief

Thanks to my family doctor for suggesting I learn a form of T’ai Chi. My blood pressure was not under control with medication and exercise; it was consistently far too high. My severe back pain was being treated with physical therapy, pain medication and muscle relaxants. But none gave more than the briefest freedom from pain.

It was with a skeptical mind that I tried a nonmedical form of healing: I took a community college class on T’ai Chi Chih. I have a science background and TCC seemed to be non-scientific. But since traditional western science and medicine were not working, I persisted in my TCC.

From the beginning, even with poor form and a limited ability to meditate, I found improvement in my blood pressure. Although still too high, my systolic pressure was 15 to 18 points lower after practice. Science was present, and I was starting to see the results.

I now practice TCC daily and have a better ability to meditate. My blood pressure has come under control enough to keep my doctor happy, but my goal now is to have it normalized without medication. My back pain has become more bearable. I am no longer a skeptic, and I am even thinking of teacher accreditation.

grace

was rare

for a man

with two left feet

T’ai Chi Chih

makes one

right