The Dragon's Head Blog: Round Table Discussion Helps to Reach Out to People in Need of Tai Chi

This spring the Taoist Tai Chi Society of Hungary held a round table discussion in Budapest on the health benefits of Taoist Tai Chi® arts. Among the participants of the discussion were instructors of the Hungarian TTCS, doctors who are also practicing Taoist Tai Chi® arts, and two of our members living with health problems while enjoying the benefits of Taoist Tai Chi®.

The main focus of the event was how Taoist Tai Chi® arts improve one’s health. We have heard personal experiences from our members (living with multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease) about how it gave them a tool to maintain their health state, to slow down the effects of their illness, and to live a full life. The doctors have explained in an easy to understand way the mechanics behind the general tai chi movements and how they make their positive impact on the body and the mind. They also told us about the vast amount of available studies that research and explain tai chi from the point of view of Western medicine. They have also talked about how healthy people can further improve their life and lessen stress and why practising tai chi regularly is important for longevity and health. Last but not least, one could learn about how the classes go, where Taoist Tai Chi® arts are available and how the Society works.

It was actually not the first time we have held such a round table discussion in Hungary. Some years ago we successfully tried out this format in Sopron. The main difference, however, was that this time we were focusing on inviting primarily healthcare workers into the audience. Our aim was to reach out through them to those who could benefit the most from the health effects of Taoist Tai Chi® arts.

To prepare for the event we held an internal meeting with our members and asked them to share their experiences about the health benefits if they wanted. Thanks to their surprising openness we have heard many wonderful and impressive personal stories about how people improved their life by practicing Taoist Tai Chi® arts.

As a result of this project not only could we reach out to new members through referrals, but our understanding of each other has deepened a lot as well.