December 4-7, 2006 Textile Center, Seoul,
Korea
Our Seoul hosts created the perfect environment
for the first international conference, from
the elegant brochures announcing the conference
to the lovely setting at the Textile center
complete with daily fresh flowers for keynote
speakers and for Rhayun Song’s (the translator
and organizer of the conference) table to the
spacious practice rooms to the printed proceedings
themselves. My hope is that this article will
allow you to have a taste of the conference,
the next best thing to being there in person.
Keynote presentations
The approximately 200 participants began each
morning by hearing a keynote address. The first
morning Dr. Lam spoke about the development
of the tai chi for health programs and his hope
for the future. He then introduced participants
to the physical experience of tai chi for health.
Some of our participants were researchers who
had not actually experienced tai chi for themselves,
so this was a wonderful introduction not only
to the mental aspects of the program but also
to how the program feels to participants.
The next morning Dr. Roy Geib from Indiana
University School of Medicine in Terre Haute,
Indiana USA spoke about examining ancient practices
with modern science. He discussed the variety
of CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
modalities and how tai chi fits into the spectrum
of CAM therapies. He then discussed some of
the research issues that need to be considered
when studying the effects of tai chi. These
include asking the right questions, using comparable
populations in the study, and using consistent
tai chi and teaching methods. We all left his
talk being glad that we were part of a consistent
tai chi for health program that uses the same
teaching method throughout the world, but we
also were aware that we need to be aware of
the need for that consistency when participating
in studies.
The third morning, I discussed the various
practical ways that tai chi for health programs
are being used throughout the world. Tai Chi
for Diabetes throughout every aspect of a Native
American pueblo community was one example in
the U.S. In New Zealand, the TCA program has
been used nationally through the government
sponsored Accident Compensation Corporation
(ACC) in their injury prevention program. Some
other places where the tai chi for health programs
have been useful include prisons, mental health
facilities, stress reduction courses, senior
centers, Alzheimer’s units, hospice, and
cancer support groups.
On the fourth morning, Dr. Eunok Lee from the
College of Nursing, Seoul National University
in Korea spoke on “Expanding Strategies
of Tai Chi for Health.” She gave a clear
and concise discussion about participating in
research that included writing the research
proposals, obtaining funding, selecting the
program, advertising for the program, obtaining
appropriate participants, ensuring participant
retention during the course of the study, writing,
publishing, and presenting the research outcomes.
Her ideas for participant retention include
a contract, daily at home practice with reports
at the group sessions, and calling people midweek
to see how their practice plan is proceeding.
This is useful information for instructors whether
we are currently participating in research or
not.
Dr. Lee is retiring in February, 2007 and there
was a heartfelt standing ovation from the audience
for all of the work that she has done in developing
the Korean Society of Muscle and Joint Health
and in promoting not only this conference but
the very robust research that is ongoing in
Korea with regard to the tai chi for health
programs.
Breakout Sessions
When the keynote presentations were complete,
we had options for two breakout sessions before
lunch. Participants could choose workshops,
symposiums, or concurrent sessions.
Some examples of workshop opportunities included
“Tai Chi for Arthritis: Understanding
TCA as a Martial Art,” “Sun Style
Tai Chi for Multiple Sclerosis and Other Autoimmune
Disorders,” and “How to Improve
the Rooting in the Practice of Tai Chi Form
and Push-Hands.” The Symposiums each included
three or four presenters discussing their programs
and/or research. Examples included “Tai
Chi for Physical and Mental Health of Patients
with Parkinson’s Disease” and “The
Impact of Tai Chi on Senior Chinese Citizen’s
Mental Health.” The concurrent sessions
included three presenters per session. Examples
of presentations included “Development
and Application of Early Rehabilitation Program
Using Yang-Style Tai Chi Exercise for Breast
Cancer Patients after Mastectomy” and
“Literature Review: The Basis for Tai
Chi Chuan as a Therapeutic Exercise Approach.”
Overall, there were some 45-50 presentation
opportunities in these breakout sessions.
Interest Groups
An optional opportunity was lunch at the textile
center where we met for interest groups that
included such topics as “Tai Chi and Complementary
Therapies,” “Enhancing Research
Outcomes,” “Tai Chi for Children,”
and “Tai Chi for Chronic Conditions.”
Participants in the group discussions could
share ideas and concerns with fellow participants
interested in the same topics in the realms
of specific aspects of tai chi for health.
Poster Presentations
Throughout the course of the day poster presentations
were displayed in the break area. Over the course
of the four days, we had an opportunity to review
some 50 poster presentations. Some topics included
“A Review of Exercise Program for Community”
and “The Effect of Tai Chi Exercise on
Pain Relief of Arthritis Patients.”
Certificate Workshops
In the afternoon, we could enroll in a certificate
workshop that included primarily four hour sessions
per day. Offerings included Tai Chi for Arthritis
1, TCA 2, Exploring the Depth of TCA, and Tai
Chi for Diabetes. These were the workshops that
are usually presented in the weekend format
throughout the world. It was an opportunity
for researchers to experience in depth the workshops
that instructors attend, a chance for people
to become certified as instructors in new areas
of Tai Chi for Health, or a chance for current
instructors to enhance their skills and understanding
of the depth of TCA.
Closing session
We closed the conference with a demonstration
from our participants in the certificate workshops.
We then had closing remarks from each of the
conference organizers and keynote speakers.
All agreed that it had been a remarkably successful
first international conference for tai chi for
health. The four days was a wonderful blending
of practical information, awareness of the breadth
and depth of research that is ongoing, opportunities
to practice tai chi and to improve teaching
and movement skills, and a way to meet new tai
chi friends. Participants gave a rousing standing
ovation to Dr. Rhayun Song, Dr. Eunok Lee, Dr.
Hyun-Sook Kang and their very extensive group
of colleagues who created this experience of
a lifetime!
The Future
The next International Conference for Tai Chi
for Health will be held in the U.S. the first
week of December, 2008. Dr. Roy Geib is the
chair of the organizing committee. Stay tuned
for more details in the near future. Meanwhile,
I hope this excursion into the Seoul conference
has given you a glimpse into what it was like
to be a participant. May you experience the
next international conference in person!
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