The Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi
by Peter M. Wayne, PhD and Mark L. Fuerst
Softcover (336 pages) 2013
Shambhala Publications, Inc. Boston , MA $16.95
ISBN 978-1-59030-942-1
Review written by Salvatore J. Casano, PhD RN
This book is for anyone interested in tai chi and how it relates to good health. This is not a manual on tai chi forms, nor does it promote any specific style of tai chi.
It is obvious to all Americans that our health care system is in need of change. Due to escalating costs of our current medical care system, there is a movement towards preventative medicine. This book helps to bridge the gap of how concepts from Eastern medicine can integrate with allopathic medicine thereby helping to reduce medical costs.
“ A 2009 study by Harvard Medical School faculty found that more than 60 percent of personal bankruptcies are due to medical costs , and in the majority of these cases, those claiming bankruptcy were medically insured.”
The World Health Organization rated America 37th in health outcomes, putting us equal with Serbia. Our citizens are paying more and becoming less healthy showing an increases in chronic diseases and decreasing life span.
Susan Blumenthal, MD, former Assistant Surgeon General of the United States stated “ Today’s health–care reform efforts must reestablish public health and prevention as priorities-transforming our country from a sick–care system to a health–care system.”
This book provides insights into the traditional principles of Tai Chi through the eyes of modern medicine, gives a simplified Tai Chi set of exercises that were used for a number of clinical studies, insights on the physiological processes that explain how Tai Chi can improve health, discussions of the many research studies provided in the literature supporting the health benefits of Tai Chi, and how what the author terms “ The Eight Active Ingredients of Tai Chi” can be integrated into everyday life.
The Eight Active Ingredients of Tai Chi provided a means of performing double-blind research studies to measure the effectiveness of tai chi practice on the mind-body–spirit connection and the resulting health benefits.
These ingredients include awareness, intention, structural integration (dynamic form and function), active relaxation, strengthening and flexibility, natural breathing, social support and embodied spirituality (including philosophy and ritual).
In Chapter 3, the author provides a detailed 12-week simplified tai chi program which includes warm up exercises, and specific tai chi movement exercises. The exercises are thoroughly explained and easy to follow photos of the movements provided.
The remaining chapters in the book deal with the medical aspects of balance, the musculoskeletal system, bone density , and how tai chi exercises can have a positive effect on helping with these issues.
Aches , pains, arthritis , postural alignment, meditation and psychological components, breathing are discussed and how tai chi practices can make a difference in outcomes. Chapters 6 and 7 reflect on the cardiovascular and respiratory conditions that have been helped with tai chi practices based on clinical studies. Chapters 8 and 9 involve how tai chi affects mind enhancement, stress reduction and sleep disorders. In Part III of the book , Chapters 10-14 discuss how tai chi practices can have a positive effect on everyday living , socialization, cross training for other sports, corporate wellness programs, enhanced creativity and how to develop a good tai chi practice.
This book is well researched and has over 50 pages of citations and notes for all the chapters if the reader wishes to follow up on the many aspects of the presented material. This book was a joy to read, and I would recommend it for all health-care workers, tai chi players, and the general public for each group will gain insights into this complex martial arts form based on Traditional Chinese Medicine.
I would like to end this review with a quote from Thomas Edison , “The doctor of the future will give no medicine but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease.”
Salvatore Casano R.N., PhD – a registered nurse with a PhD in Holistic Health, and is an ATCQZ certified Tai Chi and Qigong instructor. His Tai Chi and Qigong journey began over 20 years ago while working as a chemistry instructor, when he felt the need for a more holistic approach to health care. Participating in many programs and projects relating to health, Dr. Casano educates the community on living a healthier lifestyle to avoid obesity and diabetes, and as a way to reduce stress. Over the years, he has learned from many masters including Bill Philips, Marc Issacs, Richard Chu, as well as two ATCQA advisors, Dr. Roger Jahnke, and Bill Douglas. Dr. Casano, along with his wife Veronica, often sojourn together on his healing path, as they use their skills in helping others connect the mind, body, and spirit. They have four adult children, and seven grandchildren.
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