T’ai Chi Chih and Fibromyalgia

I was recently invited by two of my students to be a guest speaker and to do a T’ai Chi Chih presentation at the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Support Group of Bergen County. I asked students and teachers alike to share any experiences they have had with regard to CFS and Fibromyalgia. I received this response from one of my students who has been learning and practicing TCC for a couple of years. I thought it was worth sharing with all of you. Maryann Gottdenker of Ramsey, NJ writes:

“Fibromyalgia – pain in the connective tissue has been an ongoing body experience for me for many years. Since the condition resides in the connective tissue, no part of the body is exempt from the continual gnawing, aching or tenderness. My interest in T’ai Chi Chih was initially just that – a curiosity that I pursued. The impact on my fibromyalgia has been astounding.

Given the mind body connection, the T’ai Chi Chih uses or guides the body with a particular focus that enables me to reach a place inside of myself not touched by any other discipline. That place, accessed very slowly at first, has afforded me a distance from the pain – a refuge as it were – a place of holding for me that is separate from my constant pain. The more diligent I became with my practice, and the more focused on relaxing into the T’ai Chi Chih movements, this pain free place inside of me became more accessible and greatly expanded.

T’ai Chi Chih cannot cure my condition, but is precepts of centeredness, mindfulness, and softness have taught my body and my mind to relax into a better state of being. I can attest to the unseen, yet ever-present benefits of T’ai Chi Chih.”