Inmate at Folsom describes effects of regular practice of T’ai Chi Chih

My name is Phil. (A.K.A. Frenchy), I am an inmate currently housed in Folsom State Prison. I have been incarcerated since 1984 and am considered a “long termer” — I’ll be here for awhile yet. Since my incarceration I have been working at self rehabilitation. In these efforts I have been involved in a number of groups and programs and learned alot from them.

Three plus years ago I was able to become a part of an inmate originated program that secured sponsors both “outside” and “staff”. We named it the Contemplative Fellowship. At first we learned and taught silent meditation. Through the years other styles and forms of meditation have also been shared by others.

About a year ago I was able to start down the path of T’ai Chi Chih. One of our group is Jim [Hecker] who is now a certified instructor. He began giving classes and sharing this with others.

I became one of those students and now have progressed to being an “assistant student,” (basically showing through example how the movements are done to new students). This group is growing and being taught every day of the week now here at Folsom.

I was asked to share some of the things that I have gained through doing T’ai Chi Chih. I am really still at the beginning of this journey and yet the benefits have already become a very real part of my life. It’s funny when I look at it. The first time I saw Jim doing it I almost laughed and wondered how moving around in such fashion would ever begin to help me. I also respected Jim and having shared and taught with him in silent meditation gave him the benefit of the doubt and decided to try it.

For me the beginning was slow. I have had several very serious injuries in my life. The muscles that attach under my shoulder blades are now held in place, my knees are bad, my arms are not too much better off. For years I took pain medication as well as relaxers to get through the day. When I began I experienced alot of pain and discomfort, after a time burning sensations were added to that. I’m really not sure when the changes happened but change did come. One day I noticed that the burning sensation sort of collapsed like a balloon and just spread out. It was awhile after that I noticed that the supply of pills I had was growing. I wasn’t taking them, I didn’t need to. I’m blessed with being able to practice twice a day and do full practices. As a result I find I seldom ever need medication. I have walked for years with one shoulder noticeably lower than the other, I don’t anymore. My knees seldom ache like they always used to do and the stiffness in my forearms has become a thing of the past. This is Chi at work I was told. I believe it. I am in better health than I have been for along time. I have also lost two notches off my belt as a result. I was never “overweight” but the practice had placed me in better shape there too.

I feel I also need to share about the spiritual and mental gains that has come with regular practice. I have found a peace that is real, I also have patience, understanding and sharing abilities I have never had before. I also have found that the stress and tension that life in prison brings is vastly reduced. Life has become alot more joy than its been in a very long time. Its hard to say one can be happy within the walls of a place like this but I am at peace as well as enjoy the life I have. I have work, hobby and meditation. I am constantly on the go. I attend as many meetings as I can, its become a way of life for me.

I also feel I should share some of the intents that I have. Its my goal to become involved even more in the Fellowship. To do so I have even more to learn. I hope some day to become certified myself. I feel this should be shared with every inmate. Those involved with our Fellowship don’t come back to prison. We know of only one parole violation who returned. I want to be a part of doing what I can to give this to as many people as possible. At some point this went beyond working on the self and into even more self growth through working with, sharing with and teaching this to others. No one wants to remain in prison but when that day for release comes the changes must be in place to have corrected the mistakes and become productive members of society. T’ai Chi Chih is the path that helps those changes to be made.

– Phil Darghty
F.S.P. Represa, CA