Martial art of good health

TAI chi devotee Syd Lewis said that the Chinese claim 640 different diseases and degenerative illnesses can be cured by daily practice of tai chi.
“Having a pill or herbal preparation prescribed is an example of a treatment imposed on a person and they are therefore a passive recipient,” he said.
“Taking the initiative to practise this remarkable healing martial art involves active participation.
“In Western medicine it is recognised that any treatment in which a person takes an active role has a much greater chance of success.”
Syd Lewis teaches the unshortened version of the wu advanced round form of tai chi which he claims is the most elegant and has rapid self-healing benefits.
“Today there are several shortened versions of original long forms,” he said. “Although these forms serve useful purposes such as enabling a student to acquire a practice form more quickly, the value of a 20-minute long form is now borne out in modern medical research.
“In the book The Relaxation Response by Dr Herbert Benson, it was noted that a 20-minute relaxation response exercise seemed to evoke the optimum benefits.
“Apparently, the first few minutes of a relaxation therapy are used by the mind just to wind down.
“The remaining time truly allows the deep alpha state relaxation these therapies are known for.
“Some of the more traditional masters believe that the modern day simplified and shortened styles are deficient and may pose dangers to the practitioners’ energy development.”
Beginners classes start in Emerald in February.
For more details phone Syd on 5629 6228.