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T'ai Chi for the Differently-Abled
Our viewpoints change dramatically when we fall into the category of what many call "the handicapped," "the disabled," or more currently and appropriately, "the physically challenged." A close friend of mine, Danny Deardorff, now a professional recording artist, musician, composer and producer, was struck with polio in early childhood. As a result, he is "physically handicapped" and uses a wheel chair. Yet this apparent "disability" in no way has stopped his professional development. He recently wrote and recorded a song entitled "Everyone is Differently-Abled." Following are the lyrics:
Everyone is differently-abled. Everyone has abilities.
Everyone is differently-abled, making their lives work differently.
Now you might need a chair with wheels to get around.
You might use your hands to speak without a sound,
'Cause there are a million ways to do most anything.
Some people love to dance. Some people prefer to sing.
Now you can use a working dog to help you see.
Or use your mouth to paint and write poetry.
There are a million different ways that you can be
It's true that all of us live interdependently.
I will not be defined by my limitations,
But rather by my possibilities.
We can respond to the needs of those around us.
The best ability is responsibility.
Danny often plays throughout the country with a drummer, Alvin Law, who was born without arms or hands. He plays the drums with his feet. Danny and Alvin did not give in to their physical limitations, but went beyond to fulfill many of their ambitions. Many when faced with a physical challenge actually are spurred on to focus on other areas of development, going beyond apparent limitations to use their strengths in new ways. Their examples can inspire us all.
Spirit has no limitation, even though the body may. I would not have felt justified in writing this article until recently, even though for over 15 years, I taught classes in T'ai Chi, Chi Kung, and meditation to the physically challenged, senior citizens, and patients with various medical conditions.
Recently, however, I had a traumatic head injury that has left my body physically challenged. Following my injury, I could not even do the first opening move of the T'ai Chi form, even from my wheelchair. However, with practice, patience, and perseverance--qualities that I have learned from teachers, students, and patients--I am making daily progress.
I am succeeding at what at first had been difficult, and have accepted "what is"--at times even accepting or being willing to experience the non-acceptance. I have made little gains, gradually leading to larger gains in developmental progress. Many inspirational teachings, teachers, and therapists continue to help me along the way.
I remember, early in my martial arts training, standing in the old "deep horse stance." Trembling, burning, aching, I thought I could not go on, only to have my teacher push me to go deeper, longer, further--going beyond what I had thought was the limit only to push it even further the next time. Talk about a challenge!
The reason I refer to these examples is that many people experience "difficulty at the beginning" of learning T'ai Chi (or other skills). I would like to spark their enthusiasm to persevere, make daily progress, practice with patience, even developing patience with impatience. These qualities are invaluable, regardless of one's physical condition, and T'ai Chi is but one way to learn them.
Physical challenge covers a wide range of situations. It is impossible to encompass them all in a short article, but following are a few basic guidelines that can be used in many or most circumstances:
- Focus on what you can do, even if there is no physical movement possible. Just the act of visualization has many benefits. Kinesthetic visualization (imagining body movement) has therapeutic benefits that have been well-documented by scientific study and research.
- Relax. Slow, relaxed movement like T'ai Chi engages a different part of the nervous system than more vigorous exercise does. T'ai Chi, Chi Kung, or similar exercises often help open blocks in the meridians (energy channels), blood vessels, and nerves, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine. Many injuries, traumas, or illnesses cause blocks that can thus be worked out and relieved.
- Center. When we talk about "centering" in T'ai Chi, we refer to focusing our concentration and attention on the Tan Tian (an energetic point about 3 inches below the navel). This point is related to the body's center of gravity. Focusing on this point helps with balance and coordination, empowering the movement, and facilitating greater ease of motion.
- Ground. Grounding, rooting, and sinking refer to several interconnected aspects of T'ai Chi practice. Grounding, as in the electrical system of your house, helps to dissipate excessive energy. It often relates to the alignment of the body as well, helping it to root in a good stance. Sinking (Soong) relates to letting go of tension, like surrendering to gravity. As an example, think of holding up a heavy object and letting it drop. "Soong" involves letting it drop, releasing tension, and relaxing. Like the previously mentioned basics, grounding, rooting, and sinking are all interdependent and interconnected.
- A small movement is better than none. Many students who cannot yet do something in the same way as their teacher does (whether due to disability or otherwise), just give up. The teacher is the teacher for a reason. Teachers do not become experts by giving up. They would rather see you push, try, and fail, rather than quit.
Remember, "invest in loss" and eventually it will become an asset. Everybody seems to want to win, be right, better, become the "grand champion," yet when you lose you can actually gain something from the experience.
When I was studying in China, I experienced frustration that one of my teacher's younger and lighter students repeatedly "beat" me in "push hands" (an often competitive technique where one attempts to "push" the other off balance). I learned from the experience, and "kinesthetically visualized" all the basics: I rooted, relaxed, centered, and focused my intention on winning. The next day I succeeded almost every time. The younger student looked astonished.
As he repeatedly fell, he looked to the teacher in bewilderment, asking, "What did you teach him? What did you show Robert that you did not show me?" The fact was that I had learned from him. If I had not repeatedly "lost" to him I would not have made this larger gain. I learned once again, yet more deeply, the virtues of practice, perseverance, and patience. I learned and grew from the experience in more ways than I would have if I had practiced with a less skilled player whom I could easily overcome.
As a patient of mine once told me, "It's A.D.G.O. (or Another Darned Growth Opportunity.) These A.D.G.O.'s are not usually pleasant, but as one teacher explained, "Would you rather be right and win, or learn and grow?--even if it means being wrong and losing?
Humility is a virtue developed when you land on your tail enough times. Most teachers will be glad to teach you this one.
Feel O.K. to modify the T'ai Chi movement according to your body limitations within the basics. Know the difference between "pushing it" and "pushing too far." The Chinese have a word for "sore" (suan) that is different from the word for "pain" (tong). As an example, you have been standing in a deep stance and your teacher is having everybody hold the position. Your legs tremble, burn, and ache. You might think they will be sore (suan) tomorrow, yet you push it, going beyond the discomfort or physical limitation.
As another example, you have just sprained your ankle. It's black and blue and swollen to the size of a grapefruit. Your doctor says, "Take it easy and stay off your leg for awhile." Yet you don't want to lose your leg strength so you practice anyway, (beware of T'ai Chi as an addiction) and you experience a sharp shooting pain. This pain is "tong." Only you can know the difference between suan and tong. Know your body--when to push and when to rest.
Often in Acupuncture practice, we see patients who want quick-fix relief so they can get back to their sport. (i.e., addicts craving the "runner's high.") Rest is an important aspect of the healing process, not too much or too little. It's important to know when to get back to activity. Incorporating range of motion (R.O.M.) is important to keep the flow from freezing up. A good physical therapist or other health care practitioner can help, but ultimately you are the one who has to push through and know when it's time.
We all have an inherent knowing. We can learn from experience when that "knowing" is "clear" and when it's not--perhaps clouded by thoughts, distractions, emotions, or misperceptions. We can watch our actions/reactions and grow in our awareness. Know your Self.
Many simple exercises (including those from T'ai Chi or Chi Kung) can be done with benefit, even in a wheel chair, while sitting or lying down. (Some are shown in the illustrations.) Know your own body and modify the exercises where needed. Ultimately you will have to design your own program.
In many of my travels I often had very limited space in which to practice. I've had teachers demonstrate doing, with modifications, the entire T'ai Chi form in a very small space. Doing "Differently- Abled" T'ai Chi is just that. It's different. It's different every time, as well as in every space, anyway. Physical "disability" is a change of space. It doesn't meant you cannot do T'ai Chi. It's just that you do it differently. Remember to change the form as your body changes, and remember the three P's--practice, patience, and perseverance.
Robert S. Dickinson, L.Ac., has taught and studied T'ai Chi, Chi Kung, other martial arts, massage, acupuncture, and various branches of Oriental Medicine for over 15 years, He studied in the U.S. and China with leading teachers and masters, and has taught nationally and internationally.
Copyright © 1998, Robert S. Dickinson, L.Ac., all rights reserved.
Posted with permission by New Horizons for Learning
http://www.newhorizons.org
E-mail: info@newhorizons.org