Zhi Ling
In recent years, Medical Tai Chi has garnered significant attention both domestically and internationally. At the request of The New England Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, I had the honor of interviewing the founder of Medical Tai Chi, Dr. Li Shudong.
Zhi Ling: Dr. Li, could you please briefly introduce yourself and share the inspiration and motivations behind founding International Medical Tai Chi?
Dr. Li: I started learning martial arts at the age of 8, beginning with Chaquan, Shaolin Kung Fu, and Shaolin internal exercises. A few years later, I started practicing Yangstyle and Chen-tyle tai chi. Over 20 years ago, I moved to the United States to pursue my dreams. By opening a martial arts school in California, I taught students from various walks of life, including faculty and students from Stanford University. Later, I actively promoted community tai chi, launching initiatives like the “Club-Style High Tech Company Promotion Plan” and “Tai Chi Wellness Courses in Universities”. These efforts brought tai chi culture into major companies like Intel, Google, TSMC, and UMC, as well as world-renowned universities. I successfully established tai chi as an official wellness course in universities. I am the founder of the Medical Tai Chi course at Stanford University, which includes my creation, the “Five Tai Chi Internal Exercises” and “Eight-orm Medical Tai Chi”. The Medical Tai Chi that I promote is based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory and utilizes modern technology to explore the health benefits of tai chi and its mechanisms.
In 2018, I was formally appointed as a board member of the California Acupuncture Board by the Speaker of the California State Assembly. Additionally, I serve as the Executive Chairman of the World Tai Chi Science Federation, Vice President of the United States Wushu Federation, a member of the Kung Fu Committee of the International Wushu Federation, and a member of the California State Acupuncture Board. I also hold a PhD from Shanghai University of Sport.
Zhi Ling: How does traditional tai chi differ from the Medical Tai Chi that you promote?
Dr. Li: Traditional tai chi, Medical Tai Chi, and Wellness Tai Chi are different forms of tai chi, with distinctions mainly in their target audience and practice goals. Traditional tai chi is suitable for all age groups, including both healthy individuals and those with chronic illnesses. Medical Tai Chi, however, is targeted at people with chronic health conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease, and is specifically designed for people who are ill, such as patients with cancer or cardiovascular disease. The goals of practicing traditional tai chi are mainly building strength, self-efense, and self-ultivation, while Wellness Tai Chi is primarily practiced to facilitate the body’ metabolism by regulating the flow of qi and blood, to achieve the goal of wellness and health cultivation. Medical Tai Chi focuses on therapeutic effects, helping patients regain function, alleviate symptoms, and improve their quality of life through movement therapy. In terms of movement, traditional tai chi movements are relatively complex, requiring the practitioner to have a certain level of physical fitness and martial arts background. Movements in Wellness Tai Chi are fairly simple, and prioritize relaxing the body and regulating the breath. The movements in Medical Tai Chi are slower and gentler, with an emphasis on balance and coordination. I first proposed the concept of Medical Tai Chi in 2006 at Stanford, aiming to promote it as a branch of preventive medicine because it is both fun and beneficial for physical and mental health.
Medical Tai Chi represents a deeper exploration and specific implementation of traditional tai chi’s internal practices and health benefits, incorporating insights from western medical experts. We officially introduced this concept in 2004; after gradual refinement, I first proposed the concept of “Medical Wellness” tai chi in 2006 and I collaborated with faculty at Stanford University’s School of Medicine, including Samuel LeBaron and Arthur Johnson, to establish credit-ased courses that teach these tai chi practices. These courses primarily teach the “Five Tai Chi Internal Exercises”,“Eight-orm Medical Tai Chi”, and traditional Chen-tyle tai chi. In recent years, Beverly Kane, a professor at the Stanford University School of Medicine, added elements from Wu-tyle tai chi.
Tai chi has a special capacity to strengthen the body and promote wellness. Medical Tai Chi aligns closely with TCM theory, promoting holistic health for both the body and mind. I believe that the integration of wellness tai chi with western medicine holds great significance for human health.
Zhi Ling: Lastly, could you elaborate on the specific benefits of the “Eight-orm Medical Tai Chi” that you developed, particularly from a rehabilitation perspective?
Dr. Li: The “Eight-orm Medical Tai Chi” that I promote offers the following benefits:
1. Physical Strength: The exercises enhance flexibility, coordination, and balance, while also strengthening muscles and improving endurance.
2. Enhancing Cardiopulmonary Function: The slow and rhythmic movements, combined with deep breathing, help boost oxygen supply and improve blood circulation in the heart and lungs to enhance the function of these organs.
3. Stress and Anxiety Relief: When practicing, one must relax the body, and focus on movements and breathing. This helps clear the mind, reduce stress, and alleviate anxiety and tension, thereby promoting mental well-eing.
4. Metabolism Enhancement: The exercises stimulate metabolism, aiding in detoxification and boosting immunity.
5. Postural Correction: Long-erm practice helps correct poor posture, such as scoliosis and slouching, enhancing body stability.
6. Chronic Disease Prevention: It assists in managing chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes, serving as a supplementary treatment and helping to prevent complications.
7. Enhancing Nervous System Function:Tai chi movements must be coordinated and controlled by the brain, so this practice helps to enhance the sensitivity and responsiveness of the nervous system.
Through years of practice and theoretical exploration, I have developed a comprehensive system of Eight-orm Medical Tai Chi based on traditional tai chi internal practices and wellness approaches. It incorporates yin-ang and 5-hase theory, daoyin, breathwork, and TCM channel theory, and draws upon the holistic understanding of human physiology and psychology found in yoga, meditation, spiritual practices, and modern medicine. The Medical Tai Chi course at Stanford has gained increasing interest and recognition for its unique concepts and approach. I believe that with continued research and technological advancements, Medical Tai Chi will be more widely promoted and applied on a global scale, and it will make a significant contribution to the cause of human health.
Ling Zhi: Thank you, Dr. Li, for sharing your insights with us.
