I started my own practice of Tai Chi almost 35 years ago, while I was studying Traditional Kung Fu. I started it as a martial art. The full name “Tai Chi Chuan” translates as “Grand Ultimate Fist” due to its efficacy in combat – it was essentially the Brazilian Jujitsu of the time, allowing a master of the art to overcome any opponent. Much of martial skill depends on intent and method of training, and much of the martial aspect of Tai Chi has been lost. My own practice resulted in some interesting "martial art" experiences, but it is the health benefits which have been the most valuable in my life.
I used to have chronic knee pain and back problems due to disproportionate leg length as well as scoliosis. Both cleared up over time with daily practice of tai chi. I also found that as long as I practiced Tai Chi daily, I seemed to be immune to colds and the flu. As documented in several studies, noted in my book Mindful Exercise: Metarobics, Healing, and the Power of Tai Chi, Tai Chi and related mindful exercises such as qigong have measurable effects on immunity. Metarobic theory explains how and why.
It was the experiences of three of my students at Fullerton College which got me looking at how and why tai chi might benefit health at such a level. All three reported significant benefits for their cancer (one who was on death’s edge, detailed in my book). My research and observations led to the theory of Metarobics, and further research uncovered benefits for a wide variety of chronic conditions. In short, slow-moving breath focused relaxation exercises created measurable and statistically significant increases in blood oxygen saturation, as well as indications of enhanced oxygen diffusion and oxygen metabolism. Since most if not all chronic conditions, including cancer, are complicated by hypoxia (oxygen deficiency in the tissues), my research supported how and why these exercises might benefit hypoxia, through what I call a Metarobic effect (enhanced oxygen diffusion and metabolism).
However, it was not until I developed peripheral neuropathy four years ago, that I really developed a firsthand appreciation for Tai Chi for health. It started slowly. Initially I just experience a burning sensation in the soles of my feet when I took a shower. But within two years, I began to experience numbness in my toes, which spread to the balls of my feet, the tips of my fingers, and later the bottom half of my hands and the entire sole of my feet. I began seeing a doctor, who stuck me with needles and conducted nerve conduction and blood tests. It turned out that people with celiac disease (which included myself), as they get older, often develop what doctors call celiac neuropathy for unknown reasons, even when on a gluten free diet.
And the neuropathy continued to spread. Eventually it progressed to the point that I had no feeling in my arms or legs, up to my shoulders and hips. I was becoming very alarmed, and also very disappointed – here I was researching and writing about the benefits of Tai Chi for chronic conditions, and practicing daily. Yet despite daily practice, I was losing all feeling in my limbs. How had Tai Chi failed me?
I knew that Metarobic theory explained physiological mechanisms of benefits for a very wide range of chronic conditions. As noted above, hypoxia, or oxygen deficiency, underlies or complicates almost every chronic condition. But it seemed likely that there are some conditions Metarobic exercise might not help. Was my condition one of them? It did not seem fair. Then I remembered, when I was collecting case stories for cancer, that many related that they did not experience a turnaround in their condition until they started doing repeated bouts of Tai Chi each and every day. One young woman, Helen Liang, was doing Tai Chi and related exercises for eight hours or more each day to combat a terminal case of cancer. Helen was diagnosed with a terminal case of lymphoma, and was given two weeks to live. She attributed her survival to turning to complimentary practices, including hours of tai chi and qigong each day. Her story is also documented in my book. And later I came across the story of a person with peripheral neuropathy, who stated that twice daily practice reversed his condition. I realized that I was getting some benefit from one session of practice a day - I never had the pain associated with neuropathy. But I did develop the loss of feeling in my arms and legs. Perhaps increasing dosage - frequency of practice - could reverse this as well.
So I started doing 30-40 minutes of Tai Chi every morning, afternoon and night. And within two weeks, most of the feeling had returned to my arms and legs. My condition continued to improve until all feeling returned. Six months later I was able to cut my practice down to twice daily. Something is still affecting me, since if I miss a few days the numbness begins to return, and doctors have yet to figure out whether it is gluten contamination or other factors related to celiac disease. Current laws only require foods labeled gluten free to be free of gluten to 20 ppm. The literature suggests that some celiacs may be sensitive to 5 ppm, or even less. But the Metarobic effects of Tai Chi and Qigong seemed to be able to reverse and hold the condition at bay, possibly through enhancing the body's ability to address damage as quickly as it was occurring.
But the numbness which returned when I missed a few days of Tai Chi and Qigong practice made it very clear – until I know what is causing it, I CANNOT, MUST NOT miss twice daily practice. Which, even as much as I enjoy Tai Chi, can still be awkward and a choice. But for me it is an easy choice – I like being active, and having full feeling in my arms and legs. It can still be a challenge to fit Tai Chi in each morning and night, with other activities of family and life. But I have practiced Tai Chi long enough to know it is a delightful mindful practice, which leaves me feeling refreshed and energized. Even boredom, or the sensation of time, is not a factor – when focused on the movements, there is no sensation of time, which is an amazing mental state. It is something to start Tai Chi, finish 30 to 40 minutes later, and feel that you had just started.
At the end of classes for those new to Tai Chi, they are always surprised that 30 minutes has passed (the user friendly approach I teach permits instant practice of Tai Chi). They are always astonished, refusing to believe, checking their watches. The largest hurdle is entropy, and taking the energy and discipline to get up and practice, or fighting family or friends who may see it as a waste of time. But if you know and experience the importance of these exercises to your health, it is an easy decision to make. Even easier when facing death or immobility.
Time and research will tell just how many people and conditions these exercises will benefit, and just how important dosage (frequency and amount of time practiced) is for various conditions. The benefits for myself and my students with cancer, and the over 300 case stories I have collected for various conditions, coupled with a growing body of supporting research, supports that something unique is going on in the body during these practices, and Metarobic theory gives one potential explanation. Time and further research will tell. There are no guarantees with any exercise or treatment, but it does give you one more option to discuss with your doctor.
- Dr. Gryffin
I used to have chronic knee pain and back problems due to disproportionate leg length as well as scoliosis. Both cleared up over time with daily practice of tai chi. I also found that as long as I practiced Tai Chi daily, I seemed to be immune to colds and the flu. As documented in several studies, noted in my book Mindful Exercise: Metarobics, Healing, and the Power of Tai Chi, Tai Chi and related mindful exercises such as qigong have measurable effects on immunity. Metarobic theory explains how and why.
It was the experiences of three of my students at Fullerton College which got me looking at how and why tai chi might benefit health at such a level. All three reported significant benefits for their cancer (one who was on death’s edge, detailed in my book). My research and observations led to the theory of Metarobics, and further research uncovered benefits for a wide variety of chronic conditions. In short, slow-moving breath focused relaxation exercises created measurable and statistically significant increases in blood oxygen saturation, as well as indications of enhanced oxygen diffusion and oxygen metabolism. Since most if not all chronic conditions, including cancer, are complicated by hypoxia (oxygen deficiency in the tissues), my research supported how and why these exercises might benefit hypoxia, through what I call a Metarobic effect (enhanced oxygen diffusion and metabolism).
However, it was not until I developed peripheral neuropathy four years ago, that I really developed a firsthand appreciation for Tai Chi for health. It started slowly. Initially I just experience a burning sensation in the soles of my feet when I took a shower. But within two years, I began to experience numbness in my toes, which spread to the balls of my feet, the tips of my fingers, and later the bottom half of my hands and the entire sole of my feet. I began seeing a doctor, who stuck me with needles and conducted nerve conduction and blood tests. It turned out that people with celiac disease (which included myself), as they get older, often develop what doctors call celiac neuropathy for unknown reasons, even when on a gluten free diet.
And the neuropathy continued to spread. Eventually it progressed to the point that I had no feeling in my arms or legs, up to my shoulders and hips. I was becoming very alarmed, and also very disappointed – here I was researching and writing about the benefits of Tai Chi for chronic conditions, and practicing daily. Yet despite daily practice, I was losing all feeling in my limbs. How had Tai Chi failed me?
I knew that Metarobic theory explained physiological mechanisms of benefits for a very wide range of chronic conditions. As noted above, hypoxia, or oxygen deficiency, underlies or complicates almost every chronic condition. But it seemed likely that there are some conditions Metarobic exercise might not help. Was my condition one of them? It did not seem fair. Then I remembered, when I was collecting case stories for cancer, that many related that they did not experience a turnaround in their condition until they started doing repeated bouts of Tai Chi each and every day. One young woman, Helen Liang, was doing Tai Chi and related exercises for eight hours or more each day to combat a terminal case of cancer. Helen was diagnosed with a terminal case of lymphoma, and was given two weeks to live. She attributed her survival to turning to complimentary practices, including hours of tai chi and qigong each day. Her story is also documented in my book. And later I came across the story of a person with peripheral neuropathy, who stated that twice daily practice reversed his condition. I realized that I was getting some benefit from one session of practice a day - I never had the pain associated with neuropathy. But I did develop the loss of feeling in my arms and legs. Perhaps increasing dosage - frequency of practice - could reverse this as well.
So I started doing 30-40 minutes of Tai Chi every morning, afternoon and night. And within two weeks, most of the feeling had returned to my arms and legs. My condition continued to improve until all feeling returned. Six months later I was able to cut my practice down to twice daily. Something is still affecting me, since if I miss a few days the numbness begins to return, and doctors have yet to figure out whether it is gluten contamination or other factors related to celiac disease. Current laws only require foods labeled gluten free to be free of gluten to 20 ppm. The literature suggests that some celiacs may be sensitive to 5 ppm, or even less. But the Metarobic effects of Tai Chi and Qigong seemed to be able to reverse and hold the condition at bay, possibly through enhancing the body's ability to address damage as quickly as it was occurring.
But the numbness which returned when I missed a few days of Tai Chi and Qigong practice made it very clear – until I know what is causing it, I CANNOT, MUST NOT miss twice daily practice. Which, even as much as I enjoy Tai Chi, can still be awkward and a choice. But for me it is an easy choice – I like being active, and having full feeling in my arms and legs. It can still be a challenge to fit Tai Chi in each morning and night, with other activities of family and life. But I have practiced Tai Chi long enough to know it is a delightful mindful practice, which leaves me feeling refreshed and energized. Even boredom, or the sensation of time, is not a factor – when focused on the movements, there is no sensation of time, which is an amazing mental state. It is something to start Tai Chi, finish 30 to 40 minutes later, and feel that you had just started.
At the end of classes for those new to Tai Chi, they are always surprised that 30 minutes has passed (the user friendly approach I teach permits instant practice of Tai Chi). They are always astonished, refusing to believe, checking their watches. The largest hurdle is entropy, and taking the energy and discipline to get up and practice, or fighting family or friends who may see it as a waste of time. But if you know and experience the importance of these exercises to your health, it is an easy decision to make. Even easier when facing death or immobility.
Time and research will tell just how many people and conditions these exercises will benefit, and just how important dosage (frequency and amount of time practiced) is for various conditions. The benefits for myself and my students with cancer, and the over 300 case stories I have collected for various conditions, coupled with a growing body of supporting research, supports that something unique is going on in the body during these practices, and Metarobic theory gives one potential explanation. Time and further research will tell. There are no guarantees with any exercise or treatment, but it does give you one more option to discuss with your doctor.
- Dr. Gryffin
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