Maurice Olfus

Tai Chi for Health and Rehabilitation Maurice Olfus

This book provides a comprehensive guide for anyone who is interested in learning Tai Chi for the purposes of improving their general health, recuperating from surgery, recovering from an injury, managing chronic illness, or restoring their sense of balance. Tai Chi has been demonstrated to improve overall health, diminish recovery time from surgery or injury, retard the progress of degenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease, enhance balance, and reduce the incidence of falls in older adults. The specific instructions provided in this book will help the reader to in their practice of Tai Chi and are designed for a range of individuals. The first section of this book presents a relatively easy-to-learn Tai Chi form called the Simplified 24 Form, This is the most widely practiced Tai Chi form in the world today and is practiced by millions of Tai Chi enthusiasts worldwide. For those individuals who are recovering from injury or surgery, or who are managing a chronic, degenerative disease, this book also offers a very basic Tai Chi form developed by Dr. Paul Lam, a world-famous Tai Chi teacher and medical doctor, called the Tai Chi for Rehabilitation Form. This book also includes a simple, eight posture Tai Chi form that can be practiced while seated. Chair Tai Chi is the perfect exercise format for individuals who are unable to stand for long periods or who are confined to a wheel chair. As a supplement, this book also includes a series of simple, easy to perform exercises that are intended to increase leg strength and improve one's overall sense of balance. These exercises are based upon the YMCA's Moving for Better Balance(TM) program and can be practiced by anyone who is able to stand upright, even if they must hold onto a chair or a walker.