| Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit | | | | after-school program teacher, I have seen first hand |
| Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are a growing problem | | | | the benefits of even a few minutes of these calming |
| with not only children but adults as well. Tai Chi is a | | | | exercises with children. I have had children in my |
| wonderful adjunct therapy for treating ADD because it | | | | classes who experience the symptoms of ADD (I |
| augments many of the mood management techniques | | | | really dislike labeling them as "being ADD"). Even with a |
| recommended for sufferers. | | | | short attention span, they can learn one or two simple |
| Research at the University Of Miami School Of | | | | movements such as "Sinking the Chi" and "Rooster |
| Medicine has shown that adolescents with ADHD who | | | | stands on One Leg" that can help them focus, even if |
| participated in two Tai Chi classes per week for five | | | | only for a few minutes at a time. As an Energy |
| weeks displayed less anxiety, daydreaming behaviors, | | | | Therapist, I also see that performing these movements |
| inappropriate emotions and hyperactivity, and improved | | | | helps to unwind the scrambled energy systems. |
| conduct. Experts on ADD management Edward M. | | | | In the children's classes, we also use breathing as a |
| Hallowell, M.D., and John J. Ratey, M.D., wrote, "Exercise | | | | way to become more body aware. Most children |
| is positively one of the best treatments for ADD. It | | | | enjoy placing their hands by their lungs and feeling the |
| helps work off excess energy and aggression in a | | | | movement that they are in control of with each inhale |
| positive way, it allows for noise-reduction within the | | | | and exhale while visualizing two balloons getting bigger |
| mind, it stimulates the hormonal and neurochemical | | | | and smaller in the process. I also teach them to pay |
| systems in a most therapeutic way, and it soothes and | | | | attention to how their body feels when they are in this |
| calms the body." | | | | relaxed state. It may be only a few minutes of |
| ADD usually includes a tendency to obsess over | | | | peacefulness they are experiencing, but each time |
| some imagined problem without being able to let go of | | | | they do it, it is reinforcing those positive |
| the mind chatter. As the body stretches and opens | | | | neuro-pathways in the brain. These kids learn that this |
| through the graceful movements of Tai Chi, we are | | | | state of relaxed breathing is a safe place for them to |
| able to let go on a mental, emotional, physical and | | | | go anytime they are feeling upset or out of control. It |
| spiritual level with each exhale. Tai Chi's slow flowing | | | | not only gives them a tool and the self-confidence to |
| routine is all about letting go of outcome and learning to | | | | use it, but the deep breathing calms the central |
| love the process. | | | | nervous system and releases tension. |
| I once read an article that said kids cannot benefit | | | | To quote one third grade teacher whose class I |
| from Tai Chi/Qigong because they cannot learn all the | | | | worked with: "I feel the deep breathing, flexibility, |
| intricacies of a form. Well, they may not be able to | | | | balance and coordination the students experienced |
| learn the small details of a form, but they do not need | | | | while doing Tai Chi increased their physical and mental |
| to in order to get some benefit from the movements. | | | | well-being, and enhanced their learning! |
| As a volunteer Tai Chi instructor in the schools and | | | | |