Archives for September 2010

Tai Chi: Placebo – Dodo – Hawthorne Effect?

When I started Tai Chi in 1987 there was little scientific research of it that I was aware of.

Now there are more scientific studies which tend to show at least a correlation between Tai Chi and good health.

Currently I’m gathering scientific studies on Tai Chi and health and will create a section with links on this blog.

As I’ve been doing this I came across three psychological terms that are used by some sceptics about the validity of Tai Chi.

Placebo effect
Dodo Bird verdict
Hawthorne effect

Here is my explanation of these terms in laymans language in regards to Tai Chi.

A placebo effect in a Tai Chi sense is where one believes in the benefits and and therefore experiences benefits.

The dodo bird verdict is where one gains a positive benefit because of a positive relationship between the student and the teacher.

The ‘hawthorne effect is where a teacher has shown an interest in the student which causes an improvement in the student.

Here’s my answer to the sceptics.

So what.

Not a scientifc term but in abscene of ‘proof’ it will do me.

I don’t mind taking my daily Tai Chi ‘placebo’ pill if it makes me feel good just because I feel good about it.

I don’t mind being a ‘dodo’ and having a positive relationship with my teacher which makes me feel good.

And I certainly don’t mind the ‘hawthorne effect’ where a teacher shows interest in me and I improve.

I’m sure, give it time, that science will catch up with what has been known and experienced for centuries.

That Tai Chi is an excellent discipline for improving ones health and wellbeing.

But then again I can’t ‘prove’ that.

Square Tai Chi Vs Round Tai Chi

By Chris 4 Comments

When you begin to learn Tai Chi you are normally taught square Tai Chi.

Square Tai Chi is a stop start method where you learn the points of reference of a particular movement.

For example lets look at the square method teaching of the opening posture.

raise your arms up and away from your body
stop
sink your elbows
stop
lower your arms to the sides of your body
stop

Each stop is your point of reference. Stopping also allows you to check your posture.

Square Tai Chi is an easier method for beginners to learn Tai Chi. And it’s usually taught throughout the form.

Once a beginner has mastered square Tai Chi the next step is to learn round Tai Chi.

And here’s how round Tai Chi works.

Instead of starting and stopping you round the form out. It now becomes one continous rounded form.

It is a mistake to jump straight into round Tai Chi before you learn square Tai Chi because it’s difficult and errors usually occur which will take more time to correct.

So when learning Tai Chi be a square. If you are you will become more rounded.

Fun Tai Chi for Kidz

By Chris Leave a Comment

It’s been a very busy Tai Chi week.

I ran seven workshops and one short introduction on Tai Chi at a primary school.

The workshops are based on my ‘Pozitive Kidz are happy kidz’ program which focuses on building self-esteem from a Tai Chi perspective.

It was fun watching the prep students crack up laughing with my ‘teethy’ prop and ‘monkey brain’ explanation regarding self talk.

I’ve run these workshops for several years and learned earlier that teaching children Tai Chi in a traditional way is almost impossible.

They get too impatient and bored.

So I bring in my props, play games and use humour to teach and emphasise simple techniques they can do easily and quickly if they feel either stressed or lethargic.

It’s not boring because I never know what mood a class is in or what level of energy they have until I am standing in front of them.

So I have to quickly assess what needs to be done to capture their attention and maintain their enthusiasm.

And the best way to do that is to have my own Yin Yang energies balanced so my Chi can flow smoothly.

How do I do that?

I focus on having fun!

Instant Tai Chi

By Chris Leave a Comment

It doesn’t take long to whip up instant mashed potatoes.

And it doesn’t take long to whip up some instant Tai Chi.

As mentioned in a previous post ‘every little bit helps’ – each weekday morning I go outside and walk down my driveway to pick up the newspaper. Before I get to the top of the driveway I make a detour to my garage and do about one minute of Tai Chi training on my punching bag.

I do about 20 light repititions of a defending and striking technique.

There’s no plan to my efforts as I do what I feel like working on. A welcome change from having a detailed schedule to follow.

So far so good.

I’ve been consistent and on the odd days where I haven’t time to do or complete my Tai Chi schedule I know that at least I have achieved some ‘instant Tai Chi’.

Which is better than nothing.