Episode 8: Taoist Tai Chi Arts & Wellness with guest Bonnie Steinman
Today’s guest takes us on a personal journey through her Taoist Tai Chi Arts practice and the impact that it has had on her life - not only physically and cognitively, but also through the volunteer work that she does with the organization, and the social benefits she experiences when she travels all around the province, country and world to practice. Our guest is Bonnie Steinman – a 69 year-old mother and grand-mother. She has been practicing Taoist Tai Chi Arts for 35 years, and volunteers in this organization by teaching, helping in the kitchen, as well as organizing and participating in classes. This talk with Bonnie gives a very personal and first-hand look at all of the benefits of practicing Taoist Tai Chi Arts.
What is Taoist Tai Chi Arts?
The Taoist Tai Chi set consists of 108 movements, but the Taoist Tai Chi set is just one set. There is also a sword set, a saber set, and some other interesting sets. Aside from these movements, there are also some foundation exercises that strengthen and help to loosen up any blocks in the body.
Taoist Tai Chi Arts is a very balanced movement that exercises the whole physiology including tendons, joints, connective tissues, and internal organs. During this movement, you develop elasticity, resilience, and strength in the muscle. There is also the meditative component too, because while you're doing it, you have to pay attention. It's very easy if you let your mind wander to your grocery list or what you shouldn't have – but, you have to keep bringing your attention back to the movement. There is also chanting which is very physical, and that helped Bonnie amazingly through a lot of tense situations. Taoist Tai Chi Arts was first introduced in Canada, specifically Ontario, by Master Moy Lin Shin, a Taoist monk. His purpose and passion was to help people.
Taoist Tai Chi Arts is for everyone. We have people with multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease, arthritis, frozen shoulder, etc.
The Research: Physical and Mental Benefits of Tai Chi
There is also lots of research that shows the benefits of Tai Chi (the specific type of Tai Chi was not noted). For example, Li and colleagues, in 2005, showed that individuals who practiced Tai Chi for six months (about three times per week) showed a decrease in the number of falls that they experienced, including a lower risk of falling and reductions in the fear of falling as well. They also observed that the group of individuals who practiced Tai Chi demonstrated improvements in balance and physical performance. Another study by Tsang and colleagues (in 2011), showed that Tai Chi improved balance and reduced falls in older adults.
Note – there are not only physical benefits of Tai Chi. There is substantial research that talks about the cognitive (or mental ability) improvements associated with Tai Chi. This may be because Tai Chi connects the mind and the body together, and also requires the coordination of many different movements in a sequence. Research shows that people who practiced Tai Chi demonstrated improvements in memory and higher-level thinking. Research has also shown that individuals who practice Tai Chi demonstrated an increase in something called the “brain-derived neurotrophic factor” (BDNF). BDNF is a protein in the brain that is involved with the growth and survival of brain cells.
There is a substantial group of research studies that have shown the benefits associated with the practice of Tai Chi, including physical (improved balance and flexibility, better muscle strength and improved endurance) and mental (or brain) benefits.
Practicing Taoist Tai Chi Arts
You can practice Taoist Tai Chi Arts every day, because there are daily classes. If you have discipline, you can also practice at home (Bonnie prefers to practice in a class setting). Taoist Tai Chi Arts classes are open to everyone and there are no special classes. Modifications are made, as required – for example, some people practice while sitting (especially if they have difficulty standing upright). But, everyone gets the same training and there is no form of segregation among the participants. To find a class in Canada click here or internationally click here.
If you are near a centre and want to experience a demonstration of Taoist Tai Chi Arts, you are welcome to visit a class. But, if you want to participate in a class, then you will have to join the organization.
Social Benefits of Taoist Tai Chi Arts
The Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism is a registered charity and a volunteer organization. So, as volunteers, people are often asked to help out in different ways (e.g., leading a class or making tea). Through volunteering with this organization, you will learn some skills that you never really thought you'd learn, and you need to demonstrate persistence and dedication. It is not always easy, but it is always worth it.
Bonnie’s involvement with the organization has taken her all over Canada and the world (e.g., Spain, England, Poland). Since they have international centres all over the world, members from the community have opportunities to gather, socialize and practice together.
More about Taoist Tai Chi Art and its Activities
To learn more about Taoist Tai Chi Arts, you can visit their Canadian website at www.taoist.org or their international website at www.taoisttaichi.org. As Bonnie mentioned, one of their International Head Offices is on D’arcy Street in Toronto and the number they have listed on their website for this particular location is 416-656-2110.
Events
International Awareness Day will be taking place on Saturday, May 4th, 2019 at the International Centre (near Orangeville), and the general public is invited. The event runs from 9:00 am to 2:00pm and will be followed by the Mother’s Day Dinner. It’s going to be a big day. To find about more about the International Awareness Day click here or the Mother's Day Dinner click here. Of note, the Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism will be celebrating its 50th anniversary next year (2020), so there will be big celebrations all over the world.