|
 What
is Tai Chi for Diabetes?
Dr
Paul Lam, a family physician and tai chi master, led a team of tai chi and medical
specialists to create this unique program. The special feature of Tai Chi for
Diabetes that it is easy to learn, designed to prevent and improve the control
of diabetes. The programs will help minimise the risk of complications of diabetes
by improving heart/lung function, muscular strength, flexibility, balance, and
stress reduction. Diabetes Australia gave its support to this program because
of its efficacy and safety.
The
Tai Chi for Diabetes program is based on Sun and Yang style tai chi. Besides the
fundamental 11 movement tai chi, it contains an advanced 9 movement set, warm-up,
wind-down, and Qigong breathing exercises. Download
a PDF fact sheet of the
program.  Click
on the questions below for the answers:
 How
to Learn Tai Chi for Diabetes?
It
is important to start your journey to better health with the right first step.
For people with or without diabetes, Tai Chi for Diabetes a good way to start
because it is an enjoyable and safe set of forms that delivers many health benefits.
-
Use Dr Lam's teach yourself instructional DVD
and complement with the handbook.
- You
can also find an instructor who understands your condition and is learner friendly.
Dr Lam and his master trainers have trained thousands of qualified instructors/leaders
of this program. You can find them through your local diabetes foundation, online
at Dr Lam's website or
contact his office.
- Persevere
with your practise. Give yourself time to get to enjoy Tai Chi for Diabetes and
its health benefits.
Click
here for
a full range of instructional tai chi DVDs, book and CD produced by Dr Lam.
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 Instructor's
Workshop
Dr
Lam conducts global instructors' training workshops regularly. He will list coming
workshops on his monthly Tai Chi newsletter. Click to subscribe
the newsletter or to workshop Calender
and Photos.
Instructor's
Tools
Leaflet;
sample brochures, suggested release forms and doctor's approval forms; the meaning
of greeting...>> more. back
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Tai
Chi for Health Community
Aims
to promote health and lifestyle through the Tai Chi for Arthritis program >>for
more information & newsletter back
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 How
to become an instructor?
You
can become an instructor or leader of this program by attending the training workshop.
Although the workshop is usually open to almost anyone, to be a certified as an
instructors/leaders you are required to fullfilled these below. 1.
Have one of the following qualifications: - Diabetic
Educator
- Tai
Chi teacher
- Advanced
Tai Chi Student
- Physiotherapist
or Physical Therapist
- Occupational
Therapist
- Health
Professional (nurse, doctors, traditional therapist)
- Accredited/Certified
Exercise Instructor
- Certified
Allied Health Assistants
- Other
similar qualification
2.
Have completed the preparation prior to the workshop and prepare to update your
certificate every two years. 3.
Attended an Instructors/Leaders' Training
workshop by Dr Lam or his authorised master trainers and met the requirements
to be a safe and effective teacher, as well as pass a written test. 4.
Hold a current certificate of an accredited first aid course, CPR or similar qualification
eg RN or MBBS. For
Australian only: agree to use the title "Instructor" only if you are a
currently qualified AKWF instructor; otherwise you should use the title "Leader"
in relation to teaching this program Click
here for the
coming workshops.
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 How
Does It Work for Diabetes?
Exercise
helps people with diabetes by improving the control of blood glucose level, as
well as minimising the complications of diabetes. Gentle
exercises and diet have been shown by many scientific studies to prevent Diabetes.
Tai chi is a gentle exercise with strong emphasis on mental relaxation, it is
reasonable to assume tai chi can help to prevent diabetes, improve cellular uptakes
and glucose metabolism. There
are two other attributes of tai chi that are especially helpful to people with
diabetes. Stress is shown to make the control of diabetes worse and relaxation
is especially beneficial. It is well established that tai chi reduces stress and
improves relaxation. Most people have problem adhering to an exercise program.
People who have started learning tai chi tend to continue doing it for years.
The major problems
of diabetes are complications such as hypertension, heart disease, visual impairment
and vascular problem. Studies have shown that Tai Chi improves cardiorespiratory
function, hypertension, muscular strength, flexibility and cholesterol level,
these in turn minimise complication of diabetes. Diabetes
causes peripheral neuropathy, a condition that the nerves of feet are damaged
thus affects balance and walking. Tai chi has been proven to be effective in improving
balance and mobility. The
Power of the Mind
The
mental training in Tai Chi will enhance clarity of the mind, improve relaxation
and uplift mood. The immense power of the mind has not been fully estimated. As
one of the most effective mind-body exercise, Tai Chi teaches the student to be
mindful of the intrinsic energy from which he or she can perceive greater self-control
and empowerment. The
Power of Qi
According
to Chinese traditional medicine, Qi is the life energy inside a person. Tai Chi
incorporates Qigong as an integrated component. The gentle and slow movements
stretch one's energy channels and keep them strong and supple; the rhythmic movements
of the muscle, spine and joints pump energy through the whole body. People with
strong Qi become more health. Chinese
medicine
According
to traditional Chinese medicine, diabetes is a deficiency of moisture and essence
(yin) of the lung, spleen, kidney or all three . Enhancing life energy or Qi in
the appropriate acupuncture meridians or energy channels will improve diabetes. back
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Ask
Dr Lam
any tai chi questions, click here.
Forum
Share your thoughts and experience, click here back
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