• A New Beginning

   

  This product will be the first that I have ever endorsed. About mid-April of 2013 I developed a foot disorder which now can be termed as a neuropathy. At the time my right foot would swell daily, with redness, pain at a rating of 10 or above daily and it could not bear weight. I quite literally could not walk. Doctors had no clue as to the cause or what to do about it. Finally, I had surgery of which involved shortening of the second metatarsal. After about 3 months (post-surgery) the swelling had subsided, and after a year passed still no answers as to the problem or cause and I began to use a “Rascal” to get around at work, no long distance walking and driving was virtually at an end.

  
  

              In October of 2014 I went back to my regular physician, I began taking medications for the possible nerve damage that was due to the delay in surgery. Also, after some research into my problem, its possible causes and symptoms that I have experienced, I began to wear orthotics and I also began to lose weight, and as of today I have lost 30 pounds.

  
  

              These changes that I had made and am making, I felt that there was more I could do. Self-defense was always something that I wanted to learn. As I began to research the different forms, Tai Chi was always a form that I have seen practiced in parks and in some movies. This research and my problem just came together. I started going to Tai Chi Institute USA and I have not regretted doing it. My overall balance has greatly improved. My leg strength is better, my thought processes are better as my performance at work is better. But more importantly my foot pain has decreased, the foot is much stronger, of which has translated to a much better balance in my body. Going to the institute and training with Sifu Edward Niam has been one of the best self-improvement things I have ever done. I would recommend trying Tai Chi as an alternate way of improved health and well-being.

   

  ~Kenneth Spencer  July 1, 2015

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• Mark Cash   July 3, 2014

• James Leonello   April 25, 2014

I just wanted to share my story about how tai chi is helping me to overcome the pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis (OA)…

For five years I had been taking a daily dose of anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) for the symptoms associated with arthritis, joint pain and stiffness. Although the NSAID did alleviate the symptoms, they did not improve the condition. In fact, during the period of time I was taking them, I had been steadily losing the range of motion in my hip until even a two foot high garden fence in my yard became a nearly insurmountable obstacle. The pain in my joints had increased to the point where I was only able to take my dog on very short walks before having to stop. A simple thing like getting in and out of the car was becoming a challenge. The turning point for me was when my doctor recommended total hip replacement surgery. I decided that I needed to try something other than the standard treatments.

Sometime near the end of winter I stumbled across the Tai Chi Institute-USA website. They were offering evening classes in my area and the instructor, Sifu Edward Niam has outstanding credentials, so I decided to give it a try. That first class was an eye opening experience for me. We started with leg and core muscle strengthening exercises. It made me realize just how weak my leg muscles had become. I was a little wobbly the next day, but I kept at it. Walking through the tai chi form I immediately realized why so many professionals are recommending it for people who suffer from OA. I can only describe it as feeling like I was oiling a rusty door hinge, so to speak.

In the short period of time that I have been practicing the tai chi exercises I have noticed a considerable improvement in my hip flexibility. I have stopped taking the prescription NSAID and am instead focusing on tai chi as a means to alleviate the symptoms of OA. In fact, I feel better now than I did while taking the NSAID. That garden fence is no longer insurmountable to me, and I am taking my dog on longer walks again. As for the hip replacement surgery, well, that will just have to wait for another day.

J Leonello

• Paula S. Davis, CASS     17 August 2009 12:25 |

  Dear Ed,
  
  On behalf of the Board of Directors and the entire membership of the Employee Involvement Association Michigan Chapter, we extend our thanks to you for the wonderful workshop you facilitated at our annual Regional Conference, Using Tai Chi as a Motivational Tool, held at the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.
  
  The workshop was upbeat, and you delivered a first class, motivating presentation on how we can relieve the stresses associated with our daily responsibilities, work with our team members and deliver the kind of service our customers deserve and demand. For your information, the surveys returned by the attendees rated your session very positive.
  
  Every organization should consider having you come in and present your relaxing technique, especially if they want to motivate their employees to give their best performance.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  Paula S. Davis, CASS
  President, EIA Michigan Chapter
  
  
  
• Bernadette LaGuardia     25 May 2009 21:08 |
  I tend to take “testimonials” lightly and I would never have dreamed of writing one myself. However, after feeling my life turn around in four months of studying “The Movement of Life”, I have to share my experience with you. My hope is that someone reading this will have the courage to begin this program and experience the renewal of life I’ve felt. I’m a woman in her late 60’s with a medical diagnosis of severe, deteriorating inflammatory osteoarthritis. (A Western medical diagnosis can make you feel bad just in reading it!) If you have this condition or something similar, you’ll understand why I’m writing this.
  As I found myself being able to do less and less, I contacted a Physical Therapist who I had worked with in the past three years. Because I had so many arthritic joints, I had to be cautious about choosing an exercise program. Together we reviewed what I could do and what I probably shouldn’t do. We came up with Tai Chi; she recommended Ed Niam’s program specifically because she had seen the results of his work with a number of seniors in assisted living as well as in a nursing home environment. (I’m not there yet!)
  I began Ed’s creative program of Tai Chi using Qui Gong as warm-up exercises four months ago and found immediately that I could attempt each move without experiencing pain. I won’t say I presented a pretty picture as I learned the moves---nor do I now! However, I felt so much relief in my entire body that, in addition to some regular home practice, I began doing individual movements when I was in pain and always found relief. I’m happy to say, I’m taking less pain medication now; the anti-inflammatory will probably continue to be necessary but I’d love to learn differently! What I’ve experienced is a rapid increase in flexibility, a confidence that continued improvement is possible, and, best of all, a growing optimism that I don’t have to be so totally limited by arthritis. I’ve moved from despair to great hope!
  If you have any form of arthritis or are just becoming less flexible as you age, I encourage you to try these classes. You owe it to yourself to give your body a chance to be and to do all that it possibly can – no matter what your age. I’d love to meet you in class and hear you say you came because of this writing; my greater joy would come from knowing you had had the courage to take the first step to begin “The Movement of Life” program.
  Bernadette
  Shaker Heights, Ohio
  
  
  
• joanne klein     19 March 2009 11:56
  Just other people's words? Yeah. But they have more substance than the stiff sterility, flowery phoniness and just plain stupidity that occupies most of cyberspace. Thanks for offering "Thoughts for the Day".