YOU MISSED OUR LAST MEETING ?

YOU MISSED OUR LAST MEETING ?

May 4, 2004

Our guest was Doug Roberts, a certified instructor of Tai Chi for Arthritis. He will soon be qualifying to instruct Tai Chi for Diabetes. Below are some photos of him demonstrating some of the moves for arthritics. Tai Chi can be done standing, sitting, or lying down.

TAI CHI for ARTHRITIS

What is Tai Chi : Tai Chi originates from China. Today, it is practiced throughout the world as an effective exercise for health. Tai Chi consists of gentle fluidic movements that are relaxed and slow in tempo. It can be practiced almost anywhere and is a suitable form of exercise for just about anyone.

Why Tai Chi for Arthritis : It is widely known that exercise benefits most aspects of our health, and that it is an essential part in the management of one's arthritis.

PAIN, STIFFNESS, and FEAR OF FURTHER DAMAGE has been known to deter people with arthritis from exercising.

WITHOUT REGULAR EXERCISE :

- our joints become stiffer
- the pain increases
- our muscles lose strength
- our bones become weaker
- lack of stamina
- blood circulation slows down, AND
- the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes increases

Tai Chi is a gentle exercise that will help one recover a better quality of life by :

- increasing ones flexibility
- improve your muscle strength
- increase your fitness/stamina
- correct body posture
- improve your memory
- improves your cardio-vascular system

Tai Chi exercises the entire body. It is easy to do. It is inexpensive to learn. And it is suitable for anyone.

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Dr. Paul Lam - founder.

Twenty-five years ago while a young medical student, Dr. Lam realized that he was experiencing the early stages of Osteoarthritis. To combat this condition he decided to take up Tai Chi, a traditional Chinese therapy for arthritis. Dr. Lam is a family physician in Sydney, Australia and has become so proficient at Tai Chi, that he is an International gold medal winner in Tai Chi. ( Beijing 1993 )

In 1997, Dr. Lam decided that he wanted to share his experience of the benefits of Tai Chi with other people who suffer with arthritis. Working with a team of Tai Chi and medical experts, he developed the twelve movement Tai Chi for Arthritis program.

TAI CHI FOR ARTHRITIS PROGRAM :

12 week program
classes are one hour in length
learn one movement per class
learn warm-up and cool-down exercises
learn power (Qi Gong breathing exercises)
have fun
meet new friends
and most of all, improve your quality of life.

Doug Roberts - Instructor :

I have five forms of Arthritis, as well as Crohn's disease and I am a diagnosed Epileptic due to three Grand Mal Seizures that I suffered in 1978.

I have been involved with the Martial Arts for more than 30 years in the fighting styles, and Tai Chi for more than 10 years.

Life from a health standpoint of view has been a challenge since 1982. But the quality of life that I enjoy today is a result of two things :

First and foremost is a strong faith in God and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who gives me the spiritual strength and guidance that I need each day.

Secondly, the ability to do and teach Tai Chi which helps to reduce my pain, improve my flexibility and muscle strength. Tai Chi has also helped me by maintaining a strong cardio-vascular system.

Special Note :

There is no known cure for anyone of the more than 125 forms of Arthritis ; however, Tai Chi will help to improve and bring back the quality of life that everyone deserves.