The New Tai Chi and Medical Fade

By John Chow,    Tao of Tai Chi Chuan Institute, Melbourne, Australia.

 

I was surprised from searching the internet,  to see many advertisements and promotional hype about Tai Chi programs for all sorts of things,  ranging from relaxation, to age reversal, to universal consciousness, to all sorts of medical conditions,  and also programs that are supposed to be specifically designed for specific medical conditions.

 

I have seen perhaps the most popular and heavily marketed Tai Chi video in the market for a particular medical condition.  This particular Tai Chi program is just a drastically cut-down version of a particular style of Tai Chi,  and I do not see anything that is “specifically designed for XXXXXXX (the medical condition remains anonymous,  for legal reasons). 

Worst of all,  this program was recommended by a very well known authoritative organisation.  

 

To me,  as an experienced Tai Chi teacher (teaching since 1977),  this program:-

  • is just another drastically cut down Tai Chi exercise.
  • has nothing that is outside of normal Tai Chi exercises (so how can it be for that medical condition).
  • is not specifically designed for that medical condition.
  • does not compare favourably with the original unmodified version of the Tai Chi exercises of that style.  

 

The standard Tai Chi exercise class starts with a generic stretching and warm-up,  and then some traditional teachers also add warm-up exercises that are specific to Tai Chi Chuan as well (such as myself,  and dozens others in Australia). 

 

All that is found in this particular program is already found in the original style of Tai Chi exercise,  so all the benefits in this program are already found in the original exercises,  -  there is nothing new,  -  so the questions I would like readers to consider and investigate are:-

 

1)  What is the specificity with regards to being specially and specifically designed for XXXXXXX (the medical condition)?”  What has been added to the Tai Chi exercises,  and what has been specifically modified in order that this is specifically for this medical condition?  

 

2)  What this particular heavily promoted and heavily recommended program has that other Tai Chi programs do not have.  

 

3)  If the generic and original exercises already have the same exercises,  and thus, the same benefits for this medical condition,  how can this program be advertised to be “specifically designed for XXXXXX?”  Is it not just a Tai Chi exercise?  A drastically cut down,  and therefore,  with limited benefits?  

 

4)  Is a valid detailed comparison provided - naming the school/style/teacher being compared with photographs, video clips and a syllabus would be helpful.  It is not good enough to state claims and advertise the claims.  The public should be allowed the courtesy to examine this claim.  In addition,  the movements in the whole of the original exercises should be detailed in a tabular format, and compare with those of this particular program.  The public then,  can see what is missing from which.  This is the only honest way to stake a claim.  This is ethic and honesty. 

 

As it is,  speaking as a reviewer of the particular program,  from 28 years experience of teaching Tai Chi Chuan,  my verdict is that it is nothing special and does not do anything extra that the generic or original Tai Chi exercises will not do.  The original exercises do more,  and therefore give more benefits.  This is just  marketing  hype!  I would not  recommend that program. 

 

In my opinion as a teacher of Tai Chi since 1977,   the standard of Tai Chi Chuan of such teachers are “just normal”  -  very normal,  in spite of their world-wide reputation as masters.  The senior students of many Tai Chi Chuan masters are just as good,  if not better.  

 

What I recommend:-  normal physiotherapy treatment, water exercises, massage, diet, walking and even general Tai Chi that is learnt from a real Tai Chi Chuan teacher. 

 

If possible,  learn Tai Chi and Chi Kung that is (truly) specifically designed for the medical condition (after having researched thoroughly whether the claims are correct  -  not listen to leading authorities).  I have also specifically created Tai Chi programs for certain medical conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, tennis elbow, painful shoulders, painful knees etc.  When I say “specifically”,  I really mean “specifically”,  and I am not saying it to merely promote myself.  If in doubt,  feel welcome to contact me via email:-  vajra_master@yahoo.com

 

As far as Tai Chi is concerned,  I would further advise to avoid the generic Tai Chi programs in the market!   They turn out teachers like a factory.  Attend a workshop and you are encouraged to teach a class after the workshop.  What morality and medical ethics is that?   It is business promotion.  Then, attend an instructor’s workshop,  and you become a certified instructor in that Tai Chi program.  Good way of earning money off the gullible public  -  especially the old grandmothers. 

 

What I can applaud about the creators of such programs is their entrepreneurial abilities. 

 

As far as recommendations are concerned,  I recommend only 1st rate teachers,  such as  Chen Xiao Wang, Wang Yen Nien, William Chen, Ho Ah San, Lau Kim Hong, Wu Guo Zhong, Tan Ching Ngee, Koh Ah Tee, Benjamin Lo, Hsu Yee Chung  etc.  and scores of others.   I welcome anybody to dispute my list of recommended teachers. 

 

 

Yours sincerely,

John Chow

Practitioner of Chinese medicine, acupuncturist, masseur, healer and teacher of martial arts and spiritual paths.

April 2005

 

Copyright:-  No part of this article can be used, quoted, copied in any form without the permission from the author.  For further information on this article, please contact John Chow  at  vajra_master@yahoo.com.

 

 

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