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I've only relatively recently been diagnosed with PD. In the course of trying to learn something about this disease, i came across references to qigong and have been practising for about a month. I havae already found it quite helpful and am wondering if anyone else has experience with qigong in this reqard. -----Original Message----- From: Charles Countryman <[log in to unmask]> To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN <[log in to unmask]> Date: Wednesday, December 17, 1997 4:02 AM Subject: Re Ken Clements comments on T'ai Chi >Ken: > >I have found T'ai Chi very helpful. I began with T'ai Chi when I first >started having problems with PD (about 6 years ago, but I didn't know I had >PD then). >When I don't practice for a few days, I really notice the difference in >increased body stiffness, leg cramping, and lower energy level. I have >found a direct relationship between increased energy and T'ai Chi practice. > >Right now I'm alternating on an almost daily basis a (1) saber form >repeated 2-3 times preceded by a "short form" of 54 movements with (2) the >traditional Yang 108 movement form. Both practices 1 & 2 take about 30 >minutes. Because of PD, my speed is a little different than others. The >saber form is a faster form than the free hand form, but I tend to do it >slower. When I'm doing the free hand form (which is done slowly), I tend >to speed things up too much if I've taken all my medications before >starting my practice. > >I usually wake up without an alarm after about 4 1/2 - 5 hours of sleep, >because my body hurts and I'm very stiff. I stumble to the kitchen, take >my Sinemet CR & Eldepryl with Orange juice, and then say my morning prayers >while sitting in a rocking chair while my body loosens up. Lately I've >been trying Father Keating's method of Centering Prayer. It seems to >relate well to my T'ai Chi Practice. After about 30 minutes, I begin the >slow practice of T'ai Chi. > >I delay taking my first dose of Parlodel & Amantadine until after T'ai Chi, >when I eat a light breakfast. They help me get to work and during the day. >But I have found that if I take all my medications before doing T'ai Chi, >it tends to make me feel aggressive rather than energized in a positive >way. > >I recommend doing T'ai Chi in the morning. Because it increases my energy >level, it makes my sleeping problems more difficult if I do it in the >evening. I meet with a local T'ai Chi group once or twice a week. Tonight >I practiced with them from about 7:30 to 9:00 PM. Which is probably why >I'm still up wide awake on the internet after midnight. I enjoy the >company of the group and their encouragement. But the best time for me to >do T'ai Chi is about 6:00 AM facing the sunrise through the large window in >my living room. I then feel better and am more productive during the day. > > >Learning T'ai Chi type exercises from a tape is probably ok. But I don't >think that you can actually learn the traditional forms without a qualified >instructor. Learning with a supportive group is best. For people with >more advanced PD, I'd recommend about 10-15 minutes of basic T'ai Chi >exercises 2-3 times a day rather than attempting to do a traditional form. > >I've become a firm believer in the reality of Chi energy. I think that the >fact that I began T'ai Chi when I first began having PD problems has >delayed its progress in me. I think that it's unfortunate that most >Western medical practitioners don't know anything about it. My current >family doc encourages bringing Eastern & Western medical practice together. >My neurologist encourages exercise, but he uses a chemical approach to PD. >I think that T'ai Chi, especially early on with PD, is well worth the >time & effort. Just don't >expect immediate results. PWP need medications. But those medications >will probably work better if combined with T'ai Chi (since it is both an >internal & external exercise). > >Charley Countryman 46/6 (4 years with medication) > >