Every class I give begins with tapping on the body.  We tap up and down the legs, the arms, around the torso, and on our back.  The expression changes on everyone’s face.  Some begin to smile.  Others to relax.  Other seem to wake up.

Tapping is so powerful I began to try it in a variety of situations, with many different ages.  And I began to study what is happening from the scientific, medical, point of view, especially according to Chinese medicine.

This began a very interesting journey for me.  I even tried tapping on my dog’s back on either side of the spine.  He stands there almost mesmerized.  He rarely gets enough.  His nose stretches into the air.  You can tell it feels very good.  The energy, CHI, must be moving through his body in a very comfortable way.  Whenever I finish my tai chi practice he stands next to me for his Tai Chi turn.

When we tap on the body the chi, energy, begins to wake up and move.  Heat is created in the body as the chi moves.  Energy moves to the organ, muscles, joints, nerves etc.  It moves everywhere.

According to Chinese Medicine blockages in the flow of energy can cause pain, disease, depression, inability to focus and concentrate, a general feeling of tiredness and discomfort.  So tapping all over our body is important to keep the energy flowing everywhere.  The great thing is that you can’t do it wrong.  Anywhere you tap, if you do it so it feels good, will move the energy in a way that is good for us.

One of the big problems teachers and parents deal with is learning challenges and lack of cooperation, or maybe we could call it disruptive behavior.  More and more often I suggested parents and teachers try tapping.  The results can be astounding.  Try some of the following tapping methods on your body or on your child or partner.  It becomes a tapping massage.  You can use your finger tips.  But much better is the palm of your hand.  The most powerful energy point in the body is on your palm.  So you can put energy into each spots as you tap on yourself or another person.  I will give instructions for two wimple tapping massages you can do on another person.  You can adapt it if you want to do it on yourself.  These massage are from Louisa Silva’s book QIGONG MASSAGE FOR YOUR CHILD WITH AUTISM.  It is available in bookstores or online.  there are many wonderful suggestions.

1. Opens the brain and the senses, calming, boosts the immune system – have the child lie on his tummy.  With the palm of your had tap lightly on the top of the head until the neck relaxes.  tap down the center of the back turning your hand sideways at the base of the head.  Tap down to the tail bone. Then tap down the middle of each leg to the heels.  Your child will eventually begin to relax and become more aware of the world around him.
2. Tapping the ears to help the child listen and improve language acquisition.  With the child lying on his back cup your hands over the ears and tap with your fingers in back of the ears.  This is a wonderful tai chi tapping exercise that you can do to yourself.  Then tap down the sides of the neck and down the arms, one at a time.  The ears are very sensitive and can become easily blocked.  In time the blockages will reduce and the sensitivity will decrease.

I will give you more suggestions another time.  Tapping massage is amazing.  You should try it.  Or get Louisa Silva’s book to learn more

Tai Chi and Qigong are very similar and according to extensive studies on over 6000 participants may be the perfect exercise for well-being.   Whichever you choose, whichever feels right for you,  you will gain important benefits.  Check the list below.  How is it possible that Tai Chi and Qigong are effective for so many conditions?  How can it be effective for so many ages, physical issues, and general health?

In our society we tend to look for a different solution for each separate problem.  But according to theses ancient Chinese practices, when we do movements that allow us to relax  the chi flows better to every cell of the body so we can be healthier in many ways.    Chinese Medicine teaches that the only place the mind and body should be separated is in the dictionary.  They work together through movement, breathing, and visualization to produce a healthier person.  Tai Chi helps us to find balance.  We search for the balance every day in all of our activities.  Just as we search for the balance of the yin and yang.

Tai Chi allows our body to  heal.  Instead of chemicals or surgeries, the movements allow the cells to strengthen and heal.  The organs become stronger and better able to do their work.  The muscles become toned and our balance improves.  The mind relaxes, focuses, and we learn about ourselves.  We begin to know what is important.   We begin to feel better and believe in ourselves and know what we need to do to find success.

Tai Chi is a good system for health and well-being no matter your age.  Order your copy here.

The results of the studies published by the National Institute of Health show that Tai Chi and Qigong are effective in:

• cardio-pulmomary fitness
• prevention of falls
• strong bones
• general quality of life
• increased immunity
• improving psychological factors such as relieving anxiety, , depression
• improved self-efficacy and self-esteem
• improved balance and muscle tone
• improving motivation
• lower blood pressure
• improve breathing and oxygen intake
• improvement in self-esteem
• decrease in inflammation
• better relaxation
• decrease inb fibromyalgia

This is not a new idea.

Kids have been running around outside, climbing trees, building forts in the forest, organizing pick up sports, creating with sticks and twigs for centuries.  Kids didn’t used to sit still very often.

Until we got a new idea.  It seems that now we are focused on how much kids can learn academically.  We try to help our children get ahead, be first in their class in first grade, by learning and memorizing a bunch of information for a test.  And above all we want them to be quiet!

• Have you heard yourself say:  “Sit still and learn!” We shouldn’t be saying that to a 5 year old.  He is learning by playing, by moving around, by building.
• “Clean up this mess.”     But it is not a mess.  It is a new fort.  The kids are going to play there tomorrow.

Kids Shouldn’t Sit Still

A great article in the NY Times  reminds us that kids learn what they need to know much better when they don’t have to sit still.  Not only do they learn through running  around and exploring outside.  But they can focus on standard classroom learning if they have lots more movement breaks during the day.

There are lots of ways to take a break.  You can go for a run.  Or do jumping jacks.  Or toss around a bean bag and a sponge ball.

But there is a way that is better than the others.

Tai Chi give you a break that not only relaxes the body but it lets off steam and hyperactivity. And it is fun.  Tai Chi refocuses your mind so you are better able to get back to work.  Tai Chi stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system to improve your digestion for fewer tummy or headaches.  Tai Chi relaxes your body to let go of fear and stress.  Tai Chi improves your breathing to send oxygen to your brain for clearer thinking.  Tai Chi helps you tobe aware of and know what is really happening inside your body and out. It helps you know yourself and clarify your goals.  Tai Chi changes the atmosphere in the classroom and improves  self-esteem.  

Tai Chi is a tool for success as we learn, relax, think clearly and feel good about ourselves, our potential, our future. Since Kids shouldn’t sit still, WHY DON’T YOU TRY TAI CHI?

Try it soon.  You will love it too.