Testimonial

Gerald Saw.

3 December 2006.  

I have followed the Cheng Man-Ching form of Tai chi from Master Tan Yong Pow for not too long. I started my twice weekly classes with Master Tan in late January 2005. I am an avid golfer with good health. For the past 15 years I have been playing at least six times a month. As I grew older I realized that I needed to invest in old age health. That’s when I decided to take up Tai chi. The usual benefits of Tai chi was evident from the first few lessons/practices – better sleep, better focus and concentration. But what was surprising was the realization that deeper health benefits came about. I have not visited the doctor since, which is surprising as I am very susceptible to upper respiratory infections like sore throats, coughs, colds and flues. What is more surprising is that symptoms of benign prostate enlargement have subsided. At age 56, the year I started Tai chi, I would need to go to the toilet at least 3 times, once before sleep, once during the night and immediately after waking up. Now it’s only once – only after getting out of bed. That means uninterrupted sleep throughout the night, which meant no drowsiness in the evenings or falling asleep watching TV. My blood pressure remains constant at 120/75. My golf has also improved. I am more consistent and my handicap has actually dropped 3 strokes. This is actually quite a big deal, as the older you get the more difficult it is to maintain your current handicap. At this stage, being almost only two years into Tai chi, I still have a long way to go. But the health benefits have already surfaced – low blood pressure, no muscular aches and pains (back aches are a golfer’s companion) and a restful night’s sleep.