Pilot project uses the Chi to improve seniors’ quality of life

Approximately 20 people across the U.S. have been selected to participate in a collaborative project of the National Council on Aging (NCOA), The Healer Within Foundation (HWF) and the Institute of Integral Qigong and T’ai Chi (IIQTC).

Deanne Hodgson and myself, Sher Dano, both accredited T’ai Chi Chih Joy Thru Movement instructors living in Arizona, are among those selected. The project began in February and ends in April 2004.

As the practice of qigong and t’ai chi modify and accelerate the body’s own self-regulating physiological and bioenergetic mechanisms, Deanne and I, acting as facilitators, will help seniors learn the practical steps that a person can take to support her or his own healing process. These techniques are easy to learn, easy to apply, need no special knowledge or training, require no special equipment or clothing, and can be practiced by any one of any age or physical ability, standing or sitting.

The mission of the project: To create a simple, easy to replicate, fun, effective approach to Qigong and T’ai Chi for seniors that will be disseminated through senior centers and other senior programs by facilitators who may or may not be certified Qigong or T’ai Chi instructors (such as activities coordinators, resident care providers, etc). They have drawn upon a wide array of original traditional Chinese resources to develop a menu of practices that facilitators will draw from to create their practice sessions. This includes posture and movement, breath practice, self-massage and meditation.

The findings from pre- and post-assessments will be forwarded to the HWF and IIQTC office, where they will create a presentation for the American Society of Aging / National Council of Aging annual conference in San Francisco in mid-April. The NCOA feels that if the response is positive, they can collect some funding to do some larger outcome studies with high quality research parameters in place.

Also, the prestigious Research Department of the University of Illinois is now involved and has helped to improve the chances to get future money for much more rigorous research.

Deanne and I had an initial phone bridge, along with the other facilitators across the nation, with Roger Jahnke, OMD, of The Healer Within Foundation, and author of a wonderful book titled, The Healer Within. Much of the material for this pilot project is from this book. He also stays in touch with us by email, informing us of updates, sending assessments, documentation, and always thanking us for participating and offering encouragement.

This is a wonderful learning experience for Deanne and I. It’s also a lot of fun, which is one of the key elements. Within our lesson plans, during creative time, we “change hats” from facilitator to teacher, and teach T’ai Chi Chih Joy thru Movement. The response, so far, has been very favorable and naturally gratifying. Needless to say, we are very excited and honored to participate in what could be a historic project!