Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD) and Taoist Tai Chi® arts.
If you have been diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder, you may be experiencing increasing shortness of breath and wheezing, tightness in the chest or a chronic cough. You may find that your energy is low and you are more tired than you think you should be. Perhaps you are even struggling with depression. Certainly COPD can deeply affect your enjoyment of life.
Fortunately, research and anecdotal evidence show that Tai Chi helps people with COPD improve breathing and energy levels, reduce medications, slow the progression of the disease, and live more fully. The physical movements of Taoist Tai Chi® arts help the chest expand and the body relax which together improve lung health and capacity. Training in these arts gives people a way to manage and maintain healthy lung function.
People practicing Taoist Tai Chi® arts also find they have better strength, flexibility and balance, reduced stress and anxiety, and a feeling of lightness and well-being.
One Person’s Story of Improved Breathing through Taoist Tai Chi® arts
I was diagnosed with moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) about 15 years ago. My primary symptoms were chronic cough and shortness of breath going up hills or stairs. I was given a non-steroid bronchodilator, the mildest medicine available for COPD. So far, even though it is a progressive ailment, I have not needed to take any stronger medication and the disease has not worsened. It has even got better so that I sometimes forget to take my medications! Taoist Tai Chi® practice helps my body relax and this helps the bronchial tubes and lungs also relax and function more naturally. My doctor agrees that doing Taoist Tai Chi® arts has helped me keep the COPD in check.
– Polly, Vancouver, Canada
What are practitioners with COPD saying about Taoist Tai Chi® arts?
“My breathing is so much better with Taoist Tai Chi® practice. It reduced my use of inhalers.”
– Kay, New Zealand
“Fewer doctor visits. Asthma medications reduced and other medications more effective or discontinued.”
– Wendy, Tlell, Canada
“I have a chronic lung condition. I am convinced that Taoist Tai Chi® arts have helped in the maintenance of this and [that they] allow me to live a full life.”
– Janice, Ottawa, Canada
How does Taoist Tai Chi® practice help?
Taoist Tai Chi® arts involve a full range of motion with deep stretching and continuous turning of the spine. They exercise the whole physiology including muscular, skeletal, and circulatory systems, as well as tendons, joints, connective tissue and organs such as the lungs. This whole body approach has a profound effect on our health, increasing strength, flexibility and resilience, whatever our condition.
Taoist Tai Chi® arts are also a form of moving meditation that has a deep effect on the brain, calming and clearing the mind.
Breathe Fully – Move Freely – Be Active
