The Dragon's Head Blog

Did you know that Taoist Tai Chi® arts can straighten out severely damaged osteoporotic vertebrae without the aid of analgesic or prescription drugs? These two X-rays show: left the spine in 2016 and on the right 2015. 2016 shows the expansion created by straightening things out so now I can sing again as the air […]

On Saturday November 26, 2016 “The Tiger’s Mouth” took place, an event that was held in our clubhouse in Florence and was attended by members from all Italian branches, non-members, doctors and health professionals. It was an important opportunity for all to share experiences and information. Gianluigi Occhipinti, rheumatologist, although not be present, made available […]

In my prime of youth, active as a surfer and sportsman, a motorcycle accident resulted in my broken back, robbing me of the fun of life and of all sporting action. After 30 years of pain and limited movement, I was reluctantly introduced to Taoist Tai Chi® arts. I tolerated the experience for the first year, […]

All Taoist Tai Chi® arts play is about health recovery. The 108 people who attended the recent Health Recovery Day at the International Centre had the opportunity to witness the courage, persistence, grace and dignity of people with a wide range of health problems in their practice of the set and foundation moves. Hearing first-hand […]

I’ve been doing tai chi for less than a year so was a little nervous about taking part in a workshop with far more experienced practitioners. But I decided to enrol in the hope that the 5 days immersion might make it finally stick! In fact I’m not the only first timer and everyone has […]

On the first day of the international workshop currently being held at Bayswater I was privileged to receive individual instruction from Tony Kwong who is the workshop leader.  I had arrived at the workshop after a recent back episode that had left me immobilized and bedridden for a few weeks. X-rays showed that an injury […]

Thursday February 28, 1985 Branson Hospital 9:30am As I was walking from my car to my appointment at Branson Hospital, I was wishing that I was going skiing instead. The neurologist walked into the examining room. He took one look at me and said, “You have Parkinson Disease!” After lunch, I went to the public […]

I experience the sheer joy of movement – of moving a body that has been paralyzed. These words are from one of the participants talking about their experience of doing Tai Chi at the International Centre in Orangeville. On day 4 of our 5-day Health Recovery Program there are looks of focus and determination on […]

The NYC Tri-State Branch of the Taoist Tai Chi Society of the USA was contacted for a television interview on Good Morning America, an internationally broadcast program. They answered a call that came in during last Thursday night’s class. The caller said he was from ABC News, and that the Mayo Clinic and the NIH (National Institute […]

It is now day three of the Health Recovery Program here at the International Taoist Tai Chi Centre near Orangeville, and what an inspiring experience it has been thus far! During the first few days, our knowledgeable instructor Jim helped us build a strong foundation through countless tor-yus and dan-yus.  He explained that the quality […]

A fun time was had by over 60 people and 3 dogs at the annual Surrey Branch Picnic on Saturday, July 23. Attendees from the Surrey, Chilliwack, and Vancouver branches were enthusiastic about doing the “109th tai chi move” as they dug into the variety of foods brought for the potluck get-together. Sets of tai […]

With the southern Ontario heat,  we enjoyed a beautiful set outside, followed by a brush knee parade around the second floor of the Health Recovery building at the International Centre in Orangeville to take advantage of the air conditioning. The icing on the cake was a final push hands session. One more morning and then we […]

Working and learning (and eating!) together.   “My tai chi is improving from teaching others.” — Wade from Taraunga, New Zealand     “There’s no criticism. It’s all help” — Pat from Gravenhurst   “This Health Recovery is one of the best gifts I’ve given myself. It’s taken me a while to get here, but […]

One participant captured the answer to this question in pictures.

Health Recovery participants don-yu their way down the room as they play with balance and weight-shifting.      “There’s such a strong feeling of community within the group.  It warms my heart.” – Angie from Durham, Canada     “This has been a phenomenal week to help me work on issues that are present for me. It’s […]

Up … Up …     Up! There’s always more up! Participants in this month’s Health Recovery Week at the International Centre, Orangeville, are enjoying getting taller and working together. From some of the participants: “It’s been more than just physical. I’m learning how to listen to my body and I didn’t realize how I […]

This spring the Taoist Tai Chi Society of Hungary held a round table discussion in Budapest on the health benefits of Taoist Tai Chi® arts. Among the participants of the discussion were instructors of the Hungarian TTCS, doctors who are also practicing Taoist Tai Chi® arts, and two of our members living with health problems […]

For patients with painful knee osteoarthritis, tai chi was as helpful as physical therapy in reducing pain and improving physical functioning, according to a new study partially funded by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. The results of the study, conducted at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, were published in the journal Annals […]

As locations across Canada get ready for Cross-Canada Seniors’ Day next week on June 9, a new meta-analysis suggests tai chi can lower blood pressure in older people as effectively as drugs or aerobic exercise. Researchers also found that the reduction in systolic blood pressure was greater in people who performed tai chi more frequently. […]