The Dragon's Head Blog

Many welcome thoughts on the Danyu Challenge…… The Danyu challenge has encouraged many participants to extend their limits and to discover the benefits of the extra practice. Je sens la chaleur sous mes pieds ..Jean/ Moncton, NB It makes shovelling snow easier..Claude/ Dartmouth, NS Il faut en faire plusieurs chaque jour, pour sentir une différence […]

I am a living testimonial that Taoist Tai Chi® arts is a lifestyle practice that everyone can benefit from, regardless of age and physical challenges. Here’s my story. Ten years ago I was in my 50s and enjoying my second adolescence of activity. I ran, swam, cycled and competed in age group triathlons. It was […]

In November 2014 I accepted an invitation from the International Directors for an extended stay in Orangeville. The hardest bit was leaving my family for 9 weeks; they are grownups and live independent lives but it was still difficult and I missed the regular contact. We hadn’t been separated for that length of time before; […]

A study by Dr. Wang to evaluate the effectiveness of Tai Chi in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms concluded that tai chi reduces pain and improves physical function, self-efficacy, depression, and health-related quality of life for knee OA.   “Dr Wang has been quoted as saying: “The value of Tai Chi goes beyond physical therapy because […]

The brains and bodies of identical twins were compared over ten years and for the first time, a connection has been found between power in the lower limbs and healthy cognitive ageing. So, if you need a little extra motivation to get up and do your danyu’s (or any of our moves!) ….. Read article published on […]

Poor sleep is associated with increased inflammation, which may contribute to heart disease and a variety of other ailments. A new study has shown that cognitive behavioral therapy and tai chi, the Chinese exercise technique, may reduce both insomnia and inflammation….At one year after the treatment, compared with the control group, those on cognitive behavioral […]

Both Tai Chi and physical therapy positively impact pain, function and other symptoms of knee osteoarthritis — making Tai Chi a viable treatment alternative for people suffering with the degenerative disease, according to research presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting in San Francisco. Read full article >

While many of us are working hard to improve our health, Bob, a participant from Colchester in Great Britain, is just focussing on staying alive. Here is his story: 2 years ago I broke my arm and had to do everything with my left hand. The doctor told me the cause of the break was […]

As the Weekend program got under way, our 150 participants explored their insides with the help of an Essential Anatomy app presentation, during which we had a real-life demonstration of the the importance of good posture on the position of our organs. Please don’t think we spent all week sitting around watching TV!

There was a conference for Family Doctors in upstate New York on Chronic Disease Management. It was hosted by the Upstate Medical University, Department of Family Medicine, in Syracuse, NY. The director of that program contacted the Society and asked for a program as a final social event of the day. Four from the Ithaca […]

Continuing our search for an understanding of the universe, and for simplicity, Marsha spoke about the effects of  Taoist Tai Chi® arts effects on our anatomy using a skeleton as a model of the body; Steve spoke of the same using a tea tray and a practise sword as a model of the skeleton.  

A Study by the University of British Columbia concluded that: “Tai Chi can improve some physical performance outcomes in four chronic conditions…but not at the expense of worsening pain or dyspnoea [breathlessness],” ……. “may provide a suitable exercise stimulus for people with several comorbidities,” and could be used as a complementary therapy in some long term conditions.” Read […]

In 2001, Barbara Patriquin, had reached a point in her life where, like many others, she found her job stressful. As a healthcare worker she took part in a committee on fall prevention. The topic of Tai Chi came up and the suggestion that it was a proven exercise for better balance and bone density. […]

Simple activities like putting on a coat were becoming a challenge for Assunta Scaini as she struggled with the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease such as constant tremors, stiffness, fatigue, poor balance and frequent falls. Assunta started practicing Taoist Tai Chi in Toronto 30 years ago. Within just a few weeks she started to feel good again […]

Group Health Research Institute recommends preventive steps including exercise as people age – not just any exercise, but those that can improve strength, balance and coordination. Tai chi is at the top of the list. Read full article >

More than 50 physiotherapy staff in the Edinburgh area (UK) will attend an event showcasing the health benefits of  tai chi. The free evening event takes place on 16 September at the National Taoist Tai Chi Centre in Edinburgh. Jo Gordon, an occupational health physiotherapist with the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh’s staff physiotherapy service, said: […]

I knew that this would not be like taking a pill where 20 minutes later you feel better. I understood that this was (and is) a developmental practice, that it takes time. And it takes what we in Taoist Tai Chi call intention. But it didn’t even take a year for the pain in my hip […]

My name is Pat and I have been a member of the Taoist Tai Chi Society of Great Britain for 15 years and an instructor for 10 years. 5 years ago I had an accident in my car. I woke up just as the airbag was deflating and because the car was tipped on its […]

Around April 2014 I developed a frozen right shoulder. Essentially that’s a tightening of the underside of the capsule of the shoulder – in your armpit, so to speak. There are actually changes in the cells of the capsule tissue for a period of about eighteen months (if you are unlucky, it’s longer). The classical […]

We’ve concentrated a lot lately on the upper limbs. We’ve emphasized that, because the hands form one end of a number of continuities running through the body, their proper use has a significant impact on all our movements. But the hands, although intimately connected to the centre, are situated out in the periphery. While they […]