Treating ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) with Tai Chi exercise

ADD is a growing problem not only with children, but adults as well. Tai Chi may is a wonderful adjunct therapy for treating ADD because it augments many of the mood management techniques recommended for ADD sufferers. A University of Miami School of Medicine study shows Tai Chi is a powerful therapy for ADHD (Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder). The children participating in the study saw a drop in ADD symptoms, and an enhanced ability to focus, concentrate, and perform tasks.

Drs. Edward M. Hallowell, M.D., and John J. Ratey, M.D., experts on he management of ADD wrote, “Exercise is positively one of the best treatments for ADD. It helps work off excess energy and aggression in a positive way, it allows for noise-reduction within the mind, it stimulates the hormonal and neurochemical systems in a most therapeutic way, and it soothes and calms the body.” The slow mindful movements of Tai Chi have much to offer people who suffer from ADD.

Tai Chi As a  Therapeutic Revolution

Letter from a student-

Perhaps fifteen years ago, I noticed on the bookshelves of Peter Hill’s Mesa Dojo a book entitled “The Tao Of Tai-Chi Chuan: Way To Rejuvenation, by Jou, Tsung Hwa.* Master Hill having convinced myself and others at the school of the everlasting value of Tai chi, a rather extensive library was made available and we were strongly encouraged to dive in and become educated. This book was one of the first placed on the shelves. The author of this particular book, a Taiwanese mathematics teacher and author, had become seriously ill, was introduced to Tai Chi, and subsequently defeated his illnesses, thanks to Tai chi. He has since been a fervent devotee of Tai Chi and author of books on the subject.

I strongly recommend this particular book to my colleagues. Being a graduate of Arizona University, I of course initially sought out the pictures in the book prior to reading it (aw, c’mon, AZ Alums, I’m just kidding). Right away I noted that there were Tai Chi instructors in hospitals, rest homes and rehabilitation centers, bringing the benefits of this art to residents in need.

Further exploration (yes, I did actually read the book) of this and other volumes, along with constant encouragement by Peter Hill, Caused me to determine that, upon retirement from my career as a Probation Officer, I would approach Senior Citizen centers, retirement centers and physical treatment centers with a view toward a new, hopefully part-time career in Tai Chi. The dream of a new career in Tai Chi as an approach to physical, mental and spiritual rehabilitation (I believe all three aspects must be addressed simultaneously) was surprisingly easily met.

I began by offering my services at a few churches and senior community centers in Arizona towns of Congress and Yarnell. Within a few months, donations, consisting of a few dollars, began to appear in my hat after classes. Then, some few months later, the wife of the president of the city of Wickenburg, Arizona Chamber of Commerce contacted me and requested that I open Tai Chi classes in that locality.

Very soon following the opening of Tai Chi classes, at no charge, at a youth center in Wickenburg, the owner of an Okinawan Karate Dojo met with me and asked that I provide classes at his school. I agreed to do so; in addition, the Dojo owner has become an instructor with World Tai Chi, as well as has two of his own Karate students as well.

Once every month.