Rehabilitation

The effects of Tai Chi Movements for Wellbeing (TMW) on patients recovering from surgery have been researched. One focus group among women with breast cancer showed all had experienced benefits. In fact, a common question asked during the study was “Why didn’t anyone tell me about this before?” When dealing with a part of our anatomy which has been torn through surgery or injury, core Tai Chi principles have been found to make a positive change in patients’ lives.

How TMW can make a difference

TMW encourages patients to take an active role in their rehabilitation. It offers “mindfulness in motion”, which is more accessible than the “mindfulness” approach already adopted by some health professionals. Its effectiveness has been proven if practised for 20 minutes a day, twice a day, 5 days a week. However, this can be challenging for patients, whereas TMW “mindfulness in motion” offers a more accessible approach: a simple sequence that can be practised for just 10 minutes a day, seated or standing.

Helping stroke patients

In fact, even if an individual is unable to fully follow the movements in the sequence, the fact that they can apply the underlying principles of TMW and visualise the full movements too, brings a general sense of liberation and wellbeing. .

Treating post traumatic stress disorder

For those suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, when reactivation of the experience is ungrounded the individual is literally back there. TMW offers the ability to calm and ‘centre’ the body using a simple movement or gesture, encouraging the individual’s equilibrium to be restored.