Category Archives: tai chi for seniors

Laddie Trains for Intermediate Level Chinese Yoga

OCT 16 2009 Albany New York

With nearly 100 people from around the country in attendence, Jiang, Jian-ye (Grandmaster) introduced The intermediate level of Chinese Yoga with Healing Qi, during a Saturday Workshop held at his Albany, New York studio.  Starfarm’s Laddie Sacharko was in attendence, shown in photo.

Laddie Sacharko Attends HPA training for instructors, Chinese Yoga Intermediate level.
Laddie Sacharko Attends HPA training for instructors, Chinese Yoga Intermediate level. Laddie is 3rd from right, second row.

An Intermediate Level class is planned for January 2010 at Thompson, where about 20 people have been practicing the beginner’s level.  Watch for details! Check Here

Tai Chi and Parkinson’s Disease

Tai Chi and Parkinson’s Disease (TCPD)

Scientists are examining, in a single-blind, randomized controlled trial, whether Tai Chi can improve postural balance and lower-extremity muscle strength, and reduce frequency of falls among early to moderately advanced Parkinson’s disease patients.
Principal Investigator: Fuzhong Li
Co-Investigator: Peter Harmer
Project Period: 12/19/07 – 11/30/11
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

A search of the NIH website for articles,  studies, and or references to Tai Chi and Parkinson’s yielded 336 results.  This short list of article links shows why tai chi has a promise of relief for person’s with the disease symptoms.

My own limited experience with tai chi and parkinson’s is that those who gave an earnest effort gained almost immediate relief from tremor. (two one-time interventions with Parkinson’s support groups, and one long term patient practice).  Additionally I most note that one wife learned “wei qigong” technique from me, and was gratified to be able to relieve her husband’s tremor for brief periods daily, for several years.

Study of Tai Chi Exercise and Balance in Persons With Parkinson’s

Related Studies, Study of Tai Chi Exercise and Balance in Persons With Parkinson’s
Disease. This study is not yet open for participant recruitment.
clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00611481 – 31kCached

Effect of Exercise on Gait and Balance in Peripheral Neuropathy

Functional Balance Training and Tai Chi, the two exercise interventions tested in
eg diagnosis of hemiparesis, cerebellar dysfunction, Parkinson’s disease as
clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00270842 – 34kCached

Chinese Exercise Modalities in Parkinson’s Disease – Full Text

with Parkinson’s Disease not exercising regularly more than 2x per week. Willing
to be randomly assigned to 1 of the 3 exercise modalities: Tai Chi, Qi Gong
clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00029809 – 27kCached

NCCAM-Funded Research for FY 2007

R21 AT002161-03, Tai Chi for Knee Osteoarthritis, Wang, Chenchen, New England Medical
R21 AT003002-02, NIR-LED Treatment for Parkinson’s Disease, Whelan, Harry T
nccam.nih.gov/research/extramural/awards/2007/ – 101kCached

Living with Parkinson’s: A Jekyll and Hyde Existence: National

However, as David Heydrick, MD, a neurologist and a Parkinson’s patient, explained,
“Through use Dr. Heydrick runs daily, practices tai chi, and lifts weights.
www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/news_article_living_with_pd.htm – 18kCached

NIHSeniorHealth: Parkinson’s Disease – Treatment and Research Other complementary therapies include massage therapy, yoga, tai chi, hypnosis,
acupuncture, and these therapies, but they do not slow Parkinson’s disease and
nihseniorhealth.gov/parkinsonsdisease/surgicaltreatmentsandothertherapies/10.html – 14k – 09-22-2008Cached