Dr. Bob Bacher
INTRODUCTION A Perspective on Health Care WHAT is the mainstream health care system actually doing to make us HEALTHY? WHY are so many people complaining about ongoing symptoms of disease and illness? WHO is the one actually getting benefits from this health care system? WHEN are we going to realize that this is not health care, but rather sick care? HOW are we able to get out of this vicious sick care cycle? Statistics show that: Doctors are becoming increasingly more specialized in their chosen fields. Hospitals are growing exponentially in both size and number. Pharmaceutical companies are constantly promoting drugs for the treatment of every ailment. Trillions of dollars are spent annually for medical research. Scientific technology is continually developing more sophisticated diagnostic equipment. Yet, with all of these developments in health care, we are witnessing a DETERIORATION in health and quality of life.
A Look at Health Today We have an epidemic of both adult and childhood obesity. Obesity is the leading cause of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and many other stress induced diseases that affect every bodily system. We are seeing more types of cancer. Digestive disorders, nervous and immune system breakdowns, skin diseases, depression, anxiety, and ADHD are so common now, that it is nearly unheard of to find someone who has not been diagnosed with at least one of these. Pain and disease are caused primarily by stress. Stress comes in many forms: physical, psychological, emotional, chemical, and environmental. Stress causes tension. This tension blocks the circulation of vital energy, which is the cause of pain and disease. A complete health care system MUST include the following: Healthy diet Intelligent exercise Relaxation Enjoying time in Nature Stress is a major factor for pain and disease Today s mainstream health care system MENTIONS these fundamentals of good health. Tai Chi Changshou INCORPORATES these fundamentals into daily life.
What is Tai Chi Changshou? Tai Chi Changshou is a revolutionary new health care system that focuses on cultivating health rather than treating disease. This system builds radiant health, reduces stress, and reverses the effects of aging. It integrates the following four elements: 1) Tai chi 2) Meditation 3) Plant based whole foods 4) Fresh air and sunshine. Tai Chi Changshou Defined Tai Chi Changshou builds radiant health, reduces stress, and reverses aging Tai Chi is a philosophical concept that refers to the balance of complementary forces. The ancient Chinese assigned the terms yin and yang to explain this concept. We can relate this to all things in Nature: big and small, hard and soft, high and low, front and back, left and right, movement and stillness, activity and rest, fast and slow, etc. Everything has its complement, and the purpose of tai chi is to maintain them in a state of balance with each other. Changshou means long life. Tai Chi Changshou is a health care system which promotes long life through the balance of yin and yang.
1. Tai Chi Chuan: Martial Art for Health & Self Defense What is tai chi chuan? Tai chi chuan, also spelled taijiquan and usually referred to simply as tai chi, is a form of wushu, or martial art, based on ancient Chinese culture, medicine, and philosophy. Chuan means fist, boxing, or martial art. So tai chi chuan is a martial art based on the balance of yin and yang (see previous page for definition of tai chi). MILLIONS of people all over the world practice tai chi daily for its wonderful benefits for health and self defense. Why tai chi? Tai chi exercises the whole body gently, thoroughly, and intelligently. Tai chi reduces stress. Tai chi heals chronic pain and disease. Tai chi cultivates vibrant health from the inside out. Tai chi s benefits are the result of THREE unique principles: pure relaxation continually spiraling full body movements focusing the mind s intention to guide movement Practicing tai chi cultivates powerful character traits such as: Self discipline Self confidence Self control Respect Self esteem Concentration skills Positive mental outlook
What you will learn: Loosening Up - simple exercises to restore joint mobility, heal injuries, prevent degenerative joint disease, and reverse the process of aging Silk Reeling Power Training - tai chi s continually spiraling whole body movements enhance circulation and build internal power for health and self defense - the most complete way to exercise the musculoskeletal system Chen Style Tai Chi Solo Form - a series of tai chi postures/movements joined together in a flowing sequence - strengthens the whole body, improves posture and balance, and relaxes and opens the body for healthy qi (pronounced chee), or vital energy circulation Tai Chi Spine Stretch - a spinal rolling movement done in the upright position - the simplest exercise to prevent and heal back pain and restore youthful spinal pliability Quiet Standing Meditation - a simple standing posture that systematically aligns your body with gravity, allowing you to let go of tension and deeply relax your body and mind Chen Family Village elders engaging in tai chi tuishou (Push Hands)
2. Meditation Stress: the number one cause of pain and sickness Stress causes a buildup of tension in the actual physical nerves, and this affects every part of the body: muscles, joints, organs, blood vessels. This tension blocks the qi or vital energy circulation, which is the main cause of pain and sickness. Emotional balance Negative emotions place stress on the the immune and nervous systems, and this can lead to many types of health problems. Traditional Chinese medicine associates different emotions with specific organs. For example, the liver is associated with anger, the kidneys with fear, the lungs with sadness, and the heart with joy. When these emotions become imbalanced, they can adversely affect their respective organs. A true health care system MUST include a method to balance the emotions. Regular practice of our meditation program: relaxes the body quiets the mind balances the emotions Through meditation we learn how to feel tension and consciously let it go. When we let go of tension, we let go of the cause of our pain and disease.
3. Healthy Nutrition The purpose of eating is to: nourish the body supply our cells with the nutrients necessary for growth and repair provide energy for physical movement and physiological function In today s world of processed foods, toxic energy drinks, and fast food franchises, we have lost sight of the purpose of eating. Which food products cause chronic disease? refined sugars processed grains saturated fats animal protein The food products listed above have PROVEN to be the source of many chronic degenerative diseases, nervous and immune system disorders, and cardiovascular disease. What can we do to prevent this? These foods that are regularly fed to us are PROVEN to cause disease. Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, unprocessed nuts and seeds, and sprouted whole grains. These provide all of the nutrients needed to: build vibrant health enhance cellular growth and repair reverse chronic degenerative diseases and pain What you will learn: Affordable healthy eating Quick recipes that taste great Foods to avoid and why Rules for efficient digestion and assimilation
4. Fresh Air & Sunshine Nature is the ultimate teacher and healer Nature has a wonderful therapeutic effect on our entire being. Viewing a breathtaking sunset, listening to the birds sing, and walking barefoot on the beach all feel amazing. Feeding our senses and letting go When we are outdoors, our senses absorb many different forms of energy. We smell incredible fragrances, absorb the sun s warmth into our bones, feel the breeze touching our skin, hear the wind whistling through the trees, and breathe salt air. It all feels so good Our nervous systems reenergize. Our muscles relax and let go. Our brains slow down and take a break from thinking all the time. Precious priorities Everything we need for vibrant health is found in Nature. Everything we need to cultivate vibrant health is found in Nature. Take time each day to enjoy these simple natural pleasures, because they are what make life so precious Practicing tai chi and meditation outdoors every day in Nature is an integral part of our Tai Chi Changshou system.
Since 1969 I have been dedicated to the practice and teaching of martial arts and natural healing. This includes tai chi, qigong, karate, yoga, and meditation. The desire to help others suffering with pain and disease inspired me to become a chiropractor. My passion for tai chi led me to Chen Family Village, China, the birthplace of tai chi, to learn the original Chen family art from 19th generation lineage Grandmaster Wang Xi an. A Message from Dr. Bacher After years of intensive training with Master Wang he authorized me to teach his system, and instructed me to share what I learned from him in the West. I have taught tai chi and meditation in assisted living care facilities, hospital cancer wards, drug rehab centers, a special hospital for osteoporosis and degenerative joint diseases, public and private schools, colleges, universities, exclusive yacht and country clubs, community centers in the heart of the ghetto, and even a youth prison. Everyone benefitted from learning tai chi. Mainstream health care today is based on suppressing the symptoms of pain and disease rather than addressing the cause. My desire to offer an alternative motivated me to learn everything I could about health, and to create a system that focuses on building health rather than treating disease. Tai Chi Changshou is that system: It helps people to reclaim their health and vitality and to experience a better quality of life. Signed, Dr. Bob Bacher President of Tai Chi Changshou and Wang Xian Taiji North America Author of the bestselling book How to Tai Chi in 10 Minutes a Day (Amazon)
How Can I Learn More? Attend a Class/Worksop - Visit our website and Facebook page for our current class schedule and calendar of workshops and retreats. Host an Event - Discover the wonderful benefits of Tai Chi Changshou by organizing a workshop or retreat in your community. Contact us for details at chenti@mac.com Tai chi in Costa Rica - Learn Tai Chi Changshou while enjoying the natural beauty and charm of Costa Rica. We offer private and group retreats, and personalized one on one vacation packages. Schedule a visit by contacting us at: chenti@mac.com Join our Facebook page - Join us at https://www.facebook.com/taichichangshou/ Learn valuable tai chi exercises, easy to prepare delicious recipes, and inspiring words of wisdom; ask questions and interact with our group members who are on a similar path to cultivate vibrant health. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter - Sign up at www.dochenstyletaichi.com to receive health enhancing articles, videos, and links.