“Within 6 weeks of doing Tai Chi, my blood pressure decreased significantly!”

“I was diagnosed with high blood pressure (readings of 175/95) about 5 years ago and the doctor put me on medication to help control it. I exercise regularly by going to the gym every week. In terms of my blood pressure, I wasn't aware that the gym was changing it much. Still on the medication, I picked up Tai Chi at Wong's Academy of Chinese Martial Arts...I was personally invited by the Academy Manager to join the introductory Tai Chi course in February this year as he suggested it would benefit my health. Well, I was astounded at how Tai Chi helped reduce my blood pressure! Within about 6 weeks of classes, my blood pressure had dropped significantly...confirmed by my doctor, it now averages 135/65...which is well within the normal range (anything below 140/75)! Not only that, practising Tai Chi helps me relax. Compared to the gym, I feel much more peaceful in the Tai Chi classes and I notice that it helps my mood. As I practise more Tai Chi, I am hopeful it will help improve and strengthen my knees, both of which I have had replaced, and for which I have also been going to the gym. I'm happy to recommend Tai Chi to others who are in similar situations, to give it a go too!”

“When I first hobbled into the Tai Chi class a wheelchair loomed large on the horizon. Now, after eighteen years, when I walk into class, a chair is the last thing on my mind.”

“I tried Tai Chi at home...it was so effective! I immediately felt the flow of chi...and it eased the stiffness in my body”

I've done yoga before and a bit of Tai Chi and Qi Gong when I was younger. I was pleased to read the recent West Australian (29/4) article, “Try Tai Chi at Home”. It featured Professor Kit Po Wong where he explains the movements and health benefits of six simple Tai Chi movements, so people can try it themselves at home. I tried it and found them to be so effective! I hadn't been to any of Professor Wong's classes before but his explanations in the article weren't difficult and once I started the movements, I immediately felt the flow of chi, and tingling in my hands! I also felt warmth in body and it eased the stiffness in my body. I'm 81 years old, I have osteo-arthritis...and trying Professor Wong's Tai Chi movements helped loosen the spots that needed loosening up! I'm really looking forward to joining the next Tai Chi Short Course that Professor Wong's Academy of Chinese Martial Arts is running. I think the benefits of Tai Chi are so great...for me not only does it promote easier movement, most of all it gives me a wonderful sense of wellbeing!

“I couldn't get to sleep...so I got up and did Tai Chi...within only 2 minutes, my whole body experienced a relief of tension!”

“I started learning Tai Chi when I joined the 8-Week Tai Chi Short Course at Wong's Academy of Chinese Martial Arts. After a few lessons I've noticed that when I practise Tai Chi, I experience greater warmth and circulation in my body. I also feel my energy levels increase. Also, I'm able to be more aware of the tensions I have in my body when I'm stressed. There was one experience where I couldn't get to sleep...and I realised my whole body was quite tense. So I got up and did Tai Chi, doing just the few basic postures I had learnt. Within only 2 minutes, my whole body experienced a relief of tension! Relaxed, I went to sleep easily right after that. I'm intrigued with the art of Tai Chi now and I recommend it to anyone to give it a try!”

“I'm using it to calm and centre myself.”

“I've always had a tense, anxious and exhausted body. In the Tai Chi course at Wong's Academy I have learned a lot about my energy/chi and now I'm using it to calm and centre myself. It's improved my breathing and relaxed my body!”