TAI CHI EXTENDS LIFE & INCREASES ENERGY

Over time Tai Chi takes root and imbues youthfulness where once the hardness of aging withered all chances for longevity. The ancient art of tai chi softens the sinews as concentration on the "chi" rejuvenates the body, mind and spirit.

Dating back to the 14th century, Yang Tai Chi seeks health in moderation. Health and balance is achieved by forming body movements that are not extreme but gentle and cleansing.

• Short Form: 24 Steps, 3 - 6 months
  
• Intermediate Form: 42 steps, 4 - 8 months
  
• Tai Chi Sword Form: 32 steps, 3 - 6 months
  
• Tai Chi Fan Form: 6 - 9 months
  
• Long Form: 108 steps, 6 - 12 months
  
• Push Hands: 6 - 12 months
  
• Private Coaching Available

"Life exists because qi is amassed, when qi is dispersed, one dies."
-- Zhuang Zi, ancient Chinese philosopher

Our classes are Monday & Tuesday in Houston (schedule below) and Wednesday in Clearlake. Classes will start at 5:45 PM for one hour. Initially, students will be led through stretch and warm-up exercises and then begin form development.

General tone: The first class will be an introduction, explanation of Tai Chi (Yang Style) with initial moves (2-3). You will not be expected to remember the first few moves until repitition anchors the form in your memory. Everyone moves ahead at different paces, at different times. The main emphasis is on your enjoyment and development of chi or life force. Secondarily, form performance.

Fees: $50 (2 sessions per week) a month. Fees are to be paid the first session of each month.

Attendance: If you are not able to attend classes, please notify the office that you will not be in. Bad weather will usually result in cancellation unless we find a covered facility to house the classes. Please check in if there is doubt regarding classes being held. Sifu usually will hold the class in mildly bad, cold, windy weather. If you are ill, please take a break and recover. However, in some cases, Tai Chi can alleviate some ailments since it can mobilize the clearing of toxicity and blockage, etc.

Uniform: Tai Chi pants and shirts will be provided when we have your order, size requirements and funds. The Polo shirt is $25 and pants are $20. You may wear your own warm clothing to keep yourself warm or cool, as needed.

In case I wasn't clear, we are going to have fun, fun and more fun! In 4-6 months, you'll know your short form (24 step) Yang Style form where you can independently perform this life-preserving exercise, by yourself and with new class friends.

Mark Hammer, C.M.H., Sifu

MONDAYS & TUESDAYS

Tai Chi - Houston
Woodlake Community Assn
2200 Westerland
Houston, Texas 77063
713-822-2655
713-783-0840WEDNESDAYS

Tai Chi - Clearlake
Ship-Shape Chiropractic
& Wellness Center
18091 Upper Bay Rd. #27
Nassau Bay, Texas 77058
281-333-1890

Tai Chi is an exercise program that uses a sequence of precise body movements, meditation, and synchronized breathing to improve health and well-being. Tai chi movements are designed to express the yin and yang components that are fundamental to Chinese medicine in a balanced and harmonious form. Like most moderate physical activities, tai chi can improve:

• stamina
  
• muscle tone
  
• agility
  
• flexibility
  
• strength
  
• pain alleviation

The practice of breathing exercises may serve a meditative function to reduce stress.

Clinical studies show that tai chi is effective for:

• slowing bone loss in early postmenopausal women
  
• improved physical functioning in older women with osteoarthritis
  
• increases the range of motion in the lower limbs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis improves aerobic capacity in sedentary adults
  
• reduced hypertension and lipid profile in hypertensive individuals
  
• improved sleep in elderly individuals
  
• significant improvement in symptom management and quality of life for patients suffering from chronic heart failure, fibromyalgia and breast cancer

Tai chi can be practiced by people of all age groups as the movements are gentle and it puts minimal stress on the body.

What is the meaning of wardoff energy?
It is like the water supporting a moving boat.
First sink the qi to the tan tien,
then hold the head as if suspended from above.
The entire body is filled with spring-like energy,
opening and closing in a very quick moment.
Even if the opponent uses a thousand pounds of force,
he can be uprooted and made to float without difficulty.

(Tan Meng-hsien)

Tai chi does not mean oriental wisdom or something exotic. It is the wisdom of your own senses, your own mind and body together as one process.

(Chungliang Al Huang)

Upper and lower coordinate,
and the opponent finds it difficult to penetrate.

(Song of Push Hands)

"Soft sinews are a special characteristic of the infant. If people who are not far from death (old people [iv]) are to have any hope of returning to youthfulness, it is only through concentrating on the chi and becoming soft."

Cheng Man Ching (1947)

"Real Tai Chi Chuan when looked at appears very simple. All of the gong fu, however, is on the inside. The inside is trained so that it will affect the outside. Change occurs from the inside out."

Koh Ah Tee (1996)

The issuing energy starts in the root travels through the ankle, up to the knee, turned by the waist and manifested through the fingers.

Cheng Man Ching (1947)

"The dantien is where the chi finds its root - the yongquan is where the body finds its root."

Koh Ah Tee (1996)

"Sink the chi raise ching shen (spirit). The classics state that the head must feel that it is suspended from the ceiling by a fine silk thread,"

Cheng Man Ching (1947)

"All must stay connected; if one part of the body moves all parts must move. If one part of the body is still all parts must be still."

Cheng Man Ching (1947)

"Stay sung (relax). When practicing the form you must keep relaxed. In time you will find that it will become part of your physical and mental state."

Cheng Man Ching (1947)

Grandmaster Wang, Zi-Ping (1881-1973)

Wang, Zi-Ping was born in 1881, during the unsettling time of the last Chinese empire. He started his Wushu training at age six and became an expert in many styles of Wushu. He was well versed in all the major weapons, in qinna, shuaijiao, free fighting, hard qigong, soft qigong, light body techniques and many more. He was acclaimed as a well rounded martial artist. At the same time, he was also a famous expert in traumatology. He combined his adept knowledge of qinna with his bone setting skills. He developed what came to be a well known system of treatment for sport and Wushu related injuries in Northern China. Wang, Zi-Ping was the head of the Shaolin College at the Central Guoshu Institute. He was the vice chairman of the China Wushu Association, the highest Wushu organization in China. He had many other titles and responsibilities, including being the advisor to major hospitals in China. Wang, Zi-Ping lived until he was 93 years old and on in 1973.

Wang, Zi-Ping was born in the Hebei Province, in a town called Cang, also known as Cangzhou. In ancient times, Cangzhou was a very isolated area. During the dryer seasons, Cangzhou would be like a dry desert. During the wet seasons, the water from the uncontrollable Yellow River would flood the entire country even Hough it was almost 200 kilometers away. Eventuallly, a canal was built, that ran right through Cangzhou. This was because Cangzhou was midway between the Beijing and the Yellow River.

In the later part of the 1800's, because Cangzhou was next to the ancient canal, it became a well known port. What really made Cangzhou famous was the fact that there was someone that practiced Wushu in every family in Cangzhou. In the martial arts community, Cangzhou was nicknamed the "Wushu Nest". Throughout history, one generation after another, there have been stories about famous martial artists from this area.

Wang, Zi-Ping was born in this town which was composed predominantly of the minority people of the Hui ethnicity. Most of the Hui people were of the Muslim faith. It was only logical that many of the Muslim children would go to the mosque for free schooling. This was especially so for the Muslim families that were unable to send their children to the expensive schools. As a consequence, many of the children were also well versed in Arabic! Wang, Zi-Ping grew up in a strict Muslim home and strict martial environment. There he became an exceptional scholar and martial artist.

Both Wang, Zi-Ping's grandfather and his father were well known martial arts experts. It is ironic that Wang, Zi-Ping's father initially did not want him to practice Wushu. His reasons were that he believed his son was not physically developed enough for his age and that studying books and business skills were viewed as being more important and suitable for him. Wang, Zi-Ping's father felt that his family had always practiced Wushu from generation to generation and they had always just gotten by. He wanted his son to be able to focus on another trade to become prosperous.

The incredible skills Wang, Zi-Ping observed from his father and grandfather, demonstrated time after time, were fascinating to him and became deeply rooted in the young boy's mind. He wanted to be just like them! Even though his father resisted teaching him, he was not discouraged. With the support of his loving mother, he defied his father's wishes and trained secretly. It was his strong will and tenacity that drove him to become an incredible artist.

At age six, when his father initially refused to teach him Wushu, young Wang, Zi-Ping went to the outskirts of the village without anyone knowing. He dug a hole in the ground and began imitating the jumping training he observed his father and his father's students do. He jumped over the hole, then in and out of the hole. He was determined to be a great martial artist.

It took his worried mother several hours before locating him. With tears in her eyes, she held the young Zi-Ping in her arms and with a loving and encouraging voice, she said to him, "Good boy. If you want to train, you just go ahead and train. I will keep some food for you. But, you must have perseverance and not 'have the head of the tiger and the tail of the snake'. I believe you will become a great martial artist." With the support of his mother, Wang, Zi-Ping trained day and night. As he grew, he dug the hole deeper and wider. Within a few years, he was able to jump over ten feet forward and eight feet back from a standing position and he could easily jump over high fences.

As Wang, Zi-Ping grew older, he took what he had learned and understood to heart. He realized that the masters of the older generation were successful because they included the training of Beidougong and Luishuigong. Beidougong and Lushuigong were not specific training methods. Rather, they implied training times. Beidou, literally means the Big Dipper, implying the night time when the stars come out, a time to train your Wushu. Lushi, literally means the morning dew, implying the dawn, which is also time to train your Wushu. In addition to personal instruction from his father, Wang, Zi-Ping trained everyday by himself during the early evening and dawn, with only the stars and the dew as his companions.
As Wang, Zi-Ping grew, his determination to reach the peak of Wushu continued to grow as well. He set a very demanding training regimen for himself. He would get down on his hands in a push-up position, half crawling and half hopping, on his hands and feet for nearly 3 kilometers to a quiet place to train. The quiet place was the woods next to the neighboring Ma villagers' graveyard!

Wang, Z-Ping knew that the training of martial arts included, bravery, strength, attainment, then technique. The graveyard provided the perfect place to train. There was hardly anyone there during the day, not to mention at night. The woods and the graveyard were his perfect training room, complete with all natural training equipment.

On the way to the graveyard, there was a river. He would swim with weights to develop his endurance and strength, as well as , move huge boulders around in the water to develop his rooting. When he arrived at the graveyard, he would greet to the stars. When night noises attempted to interrupt his training, he would welcome the visiting spirits as his training companions. To go back home, he would again get in the push-up position and half crawling and half hopping on his hands and feet go all the way back home.

Earlier in his training, when he arrived back home, his father would have locked the entrance to the courtyard, indicating his disapproval of his disobedience to his wishes. Wang, Zi-Ping would have to climb over the high fence to get back into the house. Over time, he was able to jump right over the high fence with ease. When he got inside the fence, he would glide smoothly in the dark to the special hiding place where his mother had placed a few pieces of food for him. Then he would slip into his room and lie on the beams above his bed. He would sleep on the beam to develop his balance sensitivity while sleeping. A few hours later, it would be dawn, he would get up and start his training routine all over again.

By the time he was sixteen, Wang, Zi-Ping was already known for the incredible strength he had developed from his training. Later on, he would be nicknamed the King of Thousand Pounds with Spiritual Strength Through his hard work he developed an amazing strength that he was able to use at will. He could be hard or soft in his applications: he could jump high and far; and he utilized ti, da, shuai, and na at will. One of the most authoritative Chinese Wushu historians, the late Tang Hao wrote in the Grand View of Chinese Matial Arts, "Wang, Zi-Ping is an outstanding person from Cangzhou. He inherited his skills from his family. He is an expert in Baji, Pigau, Xingyi, Taii, Chaquan, Huaquan, Hongquan, and Paoquan. He can lift over one thousand pounds of weights and therefore was better known as a Thousand Pound strong man, more than an expert in Wushu. In the 8th year of the republic (1918), he defeated a foreign strong man who claimed to be the world's strongest. I had the chance to exchange techniques with him during our duty as judges in national competitions. Just saying Wang, Zi-Ping is a strong man is an understatement.."

Wang, Z-Ping was born in the later part of the decaying Qing Dynasty. He survived two Chinese civil wars and World War II. He lived during a time when many nations were exploiting China. He stood out in those turbulent times not just as a strong man, not just as a martial arts expert, but he was also a well-known patriot. Time after time, he defeated foreign challengers in many official and unofficial challenges.

Wang, Zi-Ping's patriotism and Wushu ability quickly spread all over China. In 1928, when the Central Guoshu Institute was formed, Wang, Zi-Ping was invited to become the head of the Shaolin Division.

Grandmaster Wang Jurong (1928-2005)

Madame Wang was born in 1928 in Shanghai, China, the only daughter of the legendary Grandmaster Wang Ziping, one of the most famous figures in Chinese martial arts history. In 1946, Madame Wang won the Women's Guo Shu (martial arts) Championship at the 7th National Athletic Games in China. In 1953, she was twice gold medalist in the Chang Quan (long fist) and Sword divisions by performing the Fifth Cha Quan and Green Dragon Double Sword routines in the First New China National Athletic Games. Madame Wang graduated from the Education Department of the Aurora University in Shanghai and for thirty-six years thereafter served as a first generation professor and coach of both Wushu and Archery at the Shanghai Physical Education Institution (formerly the Eastern China Physical Education College). She developed the Masters Degree of Arts program for Taiji Quan and the first such degrees were awarded to two of her students.

Madame Wang coached the first Wushu team to travel outside of New China and traveled the world as a teacher, coach and judge of archery and Chinese martial arts. In China, she served as the Director of the China Martial Arts Association, Vice-Chairman of the Shanghai Wushu Association, head of the Shanghai Judges Committee, Vice-Chairman of the Shanghai Archery Association, President of the Chinese Martial Arts Research Institute, Advisor to the Wu Dang Research Association and Shanghai Qi Gong Research Association, General Judge, Vice-General Judge, and Honorary Advisor to National and International Wushu competitions. Madame Wang has written and edited numerous books and articles on Wushu and was instrumental in the development of the standardized Taiji Quan routines, such as the 24, 88 postures, 32 sword form and the 48 combination forms.

In 1989, Madame Wang was invited to the U.S. by the director of the United States Martial Arts Council, Sifu Jeff Bolt, and immigrated to Houston. After her arrival in the United States, she continued to promote Chinese martial arts in the U.S. and the world by serving as a chief official and advisor for countless Wushu competitions and organizations locally, nationally, and internationally for the last sixteen years. She traveled extensively to share her knowledge and taught seminars in the U.S. and Canada. She continuously worked with Jeff Bolt at the Houston Institute of Chinese Martial Arts and Medicine for eleven years. Thereafter, she taught regularly in her Houston Taiji Kungfu Health Academy until shortly before her passing. Madame Wang was an advisor to the U.S.A. Wushu Kungfu Federation and the US Kuoshu Federation. She served as an honorary advisor to the Chinese Wushu History Association, was a member of the US Chinese Martial Arts Council, and was an honorary lifetime member of the Pacific Association of Women(s Martial Arts. She was named Woman of the Year by Inside Kung Fu Magazine in 1995 and inducted into the IKF Hall of Fame in 2001. She was honored with the US Association of Wushu Kungfu Federation Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997.

A memorial service was held for Madame Wang on Dec. 29th, 2005 in Houston, Texas. The chapel walls and hallways were overflowing with lavish flower arrangements in various shapes from family, friends, students and admirers who conveyed their heartfelt condolences, admiration, love, and respect. The multitudinous colors and the fragrance of the flowers added to the loving energy of the room full of people and made the chapel lively. Many traveled a long way from holiday gatherings to be present. At Dr. Wu(s request, Sifu Jeff Bolt graciously undertook the task of coordinator and Master of Ceremonies. Jeff commenced the service by inviting all to join him in celebrating Madame Wang(s life. In recognizing her generous contributions to both the martial arts and human spirit, Jeff Bolt reminded us, "She greatly enhanced the status of Chinese martial arts throughout the entire US, but we really want to remember how she touched our lives as a kind, generous human being."

Written by Grace Wu-Monnat
Photos provided by Greg Watson for KUNGFUMAGAZINE.COM
© COPYRIGHT KUNGFUMAGAZINE.COM, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Chief Instructor - Master Wu Xiaoping

Chief Instructor Master Wu Xiaoping began her traditional Wushu training at age three from her grandfather, Wang Ziping; her mother, Wang Jurong; and her father, Wu Chengde. She has been immersed in traditions of Chinese martial arts and medicine for most of her life. Her early martial arts training included the Chang Quan system (Chang Quan, Hua Quan, Hong Quan, Pao Quan and Tan Tui), Baji Quan and Taiji Quan.

A graduate of both the Shanghai Teaching University and the Shanghai College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chief Instructor Master Wu Xiaoping obtained the bachelors degree and is highly skilled in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), specializing in Qi Gong, Tui Na (massage) and acupuncture. She did several more years of clinical studies under her father, Dr. Wu Chengde, focusing on sports medicine. Ms. Wu has extensive teaching experience in Wushu, Taiji Quan and Qi Gong. She served as an instructor and lecturer at the Shanghai International Cultural College and the Shanghai Yang Zhi Jiang Wu Gong Ti Xiao (a martial arts and physical therapy institute).

She has carried on the family tradition of life-long study and promotion of Chinese martial arts and medicine. Chief Instructor Master Wu Xiaoping pursued advanced study of several Taiji Quan styles under some of China's best masters. She studied Chen Style Taiji under Gu Liu Xing, Feng Zhi Qiang and He Bing Quan.

In addition she received further instruction in the Yang Style from Fu Zhongwen and Wu Style Taiji under Ma Yuehliang and Wu Yinghua.

For additional internal style instruction, she studied Bagua and Xin Yi Liu He Quan under Li Zhunsi. In addition to the famous martial arts teachers Master Wu Xiaoping is an accomplished artist in Traditional Chinese Painting, studying directly under the famous artist, Li Shang Jing.

Knees Hurt? Try Tai Chi!

"Modern day research now proves that the ancient practice of tai chi relieves knee pain. A Tufts Medical Center study found that adults wwith knee osteoarthritis--the mosy common joint disease in midlife---saw up to 3 times times greater improvement in both pain and joint problems from bi-weekly hour long tai chi sessions compared with those who attended stretching and wellness classes. Experts say the flowing, meditative movements tone the muscles surrounding joints, enhance body awareness to reduce risk of injury, and improve alignment."

Natalie Gingerich, Prevention Magazine, May 2009



Tai Chi Soothes Pain In Arthritis Sufferers

CM NEWS - The results of a new analysis have provided good evidence to suggest that Tai Chi is beneficial for arthritis. Specifically, it was shown to decrease pain with trends towards improving overall physical health, level of tension and satisfaction with health status.

Musculoskeletal pain, such as that experienced by people with arthritis, places a severe burden on the patient and community and is recognized as an international health priority. Exercise therapy including such as strengthening, stretching and aerobic programs, have been shown to be effective for arthritic pain. Tai Chi, is a form of exercise that is regularly practiced in China to improve overall health and well-being. It is usually preformed in a group but is also practiced individually at one's leisure, which differs from traditional exercise therapy approaches used in the clinic.

Recently, a new study examined the effectiveness of Tai Chi in decreasing pain and disability and improving physical function and quality of life in people with chronic musculoskeletal pain. The study is published in the June issue of Arthritis Care & Research. Led by Amanda Hall of The George Institute in Sydney, Australia, researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. They analyzed seven eligible randomized controlled trials that used Tai Chi as the main intervention for patients with musculoskeletal pain. The results demonstrate that Tai Chi improves pain and disability in patients suffering arthritis.

The authors state, "The fact that Tai Chi is inexpensive, convenient, and enjoyable and conveys other psychological and social benefits supports the use this type of intervention for pain conditions such as arthritis."

"It is of importance to note that the results reported in this systematic review are indicative of the effect of Tai Chi versus minimal intervention (usual health care or health education) or wait list control," the authors note. Establishing the specific effects of Tai Chi would require a placebo-controlled trial, which has not yet been undertaken.

Susanna Ng, Chinese Medicine News [Source: Arthritis Care & Research June 2009]



"Tai Chi Reduces Tension Headache"

CM NEWS - Tai Chi, an ancient form of low-impact mind-body Chinese exercise, has been proved to be effective in reducing tension headaches and improving perceptions of physical and mental health, a UCLA study finds. Tai Chi may be an exercise-based alternative to pain killers and thus help cut pain killer addiction among many of us.
What is Tai Chi? According to the researchers, Tai Chi is a form of traditional Chinese exercise that purports to improve health by changes in mental focus, breathing, coordination and relaxation. The goal of Tai Chi is to "rebalance" the body's own healing capacity. Tai Chi has been practiced in China for hundreds of years and is now widely practiced throughout the world. It has been estimated that over 100 million people regularly practice Tai Chi in China alone.

Previous studies have shown that Tai Chi can help to improve balance and prevent falls in the elderly, improve musculoskeletal conditions, lower hypertension, enhance cardiovascular and respiratory function, improve mental health, and enhance endocrine and immune functioning.

What causes tension headaches? The researchers explain that the exact cause of TTH is not clear. Muscle tension or spasms of the head or scalp, neck, face or jaw have been thought to play a role. Tension headaches may also be the result of the same biochemical changes in the brain and impaired blood flow in the scalp and neck that lead to migraine headaches.

What is tension headache? A tension headache is the most common headache, and yet it's not well understood. A tension headache generally produces a diffuse, usually mild to moderate pain over your head. Many people liken the feeling to having a tight band around their head. A tension headache may also cause pain in the back of your neck at the base of your skull.

Although headache pain sometimes can be severe, in most cases it's not the result of an underlying disease. The vast majority of headaches are so-called primary headaches. Besides tension headaches, these include migraines and cluster headaches.

This study examined whether Tai Chi affects health-related quality-of-life and headache impact in an adult population suffering from tension-type headaches. 47 participants were randomly assigned to either a 15 week intervention program of Tai Chi instruction or a wait-list control group.

Health-related quality of life scores and headache status were recorded at 5, 10, and 15 weeks. Participants in the intervention group received bi-weekly sessions an hour in duration for 15 weeks. There were two cohorts for the intervention group to provide more flexibility to participants. Classes were taught at a local park distinct from the location of study assessment.

Subjects were taught the classical Yang style of Tai Chi short form. This 24 standardized movement form is the most widely practiced style of Tai Chi (4). An instructor with over 20 years of experience in Tai Chi instruction and practice administered sessions. Handouts were provided summarizing the Tai Chi movements, and a video of the form was provided to assist participants.

The results revealed that Tai Chi has statistically significant favourable effects on the following variables:

• pain
  
• energy/fatigue
  
• social functioning
  
• emotional well-being
  
• mental health summary score
  
• headache status score
  

The researchers noted that Tai Chi offers several benefits over conventional pharmaceutical-based treatments.

1. Virtually all pain-killer treatment for tension headache include some risk of side effects or complications if used over a long period of time. For instance, the researchers say:
   
   
   • acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol and other pain medications) can cause liver toxicity
     
   • NSAIDS (such as ibuprofen and aspirin) can cause gastrointestinal symptoms and bleeding
     
   
   As a result, exercise-based therapies such as Tai Chi are thus offering significant benefit to the patients.
   
   
2. Not all patients respond favourably to pain medications. Patients may find only partial relief for their symptoms, or may be completely unable to tolerate pharmaceutical intervention. To the extent that Tai Chi represents a viable alternative to medication, it provides a major addition to the arsenal of potential treatments.
   
   
3. Tai Chi may also help to control the cost of treatment because it requires only an initial period during which the patient receives training.
   
   
4. Tai Chi does more than alleviate pain or provide symptomatic relief; it benefits the quality of life scores. This may be because Tai Chi addresses an underlying cause of the pain associated with tension headaches, namely stress.
   

The pain associated with tension headaches may be caused by, or exacerbated by, muscle contractions caused by stress. Analgesics will only target the symptoms of stress. When medication stops, the pain may return because the underlying problem has not been adequately managed.

However, with its emphasis on relaxation, breathing, focus and coordination, Tai Chi seems to directly affect stress and tension that contribute to the pain associated with tension headaches. In addition to affecting this pain, Tai Chi may affect other symptoms that arise from stress such as tachycardia, fatigue, anxiety, insomnia, etc., thus affecting the overall quality of life scores.

Susanna Ng, Chinese Medicine News [eCAM 2007 4(1):107-113]



Tai Chi Fights Shingles

Reuters - A slow-movement form of exercise known as tai chi can strengthen the immune system in the elderly and boost the potency of a vaccine against the virus that causes shingles, researchers said.

They found that tai chi, a westernized version of the 2,000-year-old Chinese martial art, improved the immune system in the elderly against the painful, blistery rash that is caused by the same virus as chickenpox.

When tai chi was combined with a vaccine against shingles the immunity in the patients reached levels seen in younger people.

Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus. People who had chicken pox as children are susceptible to shingles. The virus can remain dormant in the body and as the immune system weakens with age it may cause shingles, which can be very painful and usually lasts three to five weeks.

About one third of adults over 60 years old suffer from shingles.

In a study published in the April issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, Irwin and his team compared 112 elderly people who took tai chi classes three times a week for 16 weeks and others who attended health education classes.

Both groups were also immunized with a dose of a shingles vaccine. At the end of the 25-week study the level of immunity of people who did tai chi was two times higher than the other group. They also functioned better physically and mentally.

CM News 4-07