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Testimonials - Tai Chi Bang (Stick) for
Flexibility and Strength
Tai Chi Bang (Stick)
The Tai Chi Bang (Stick) is a unique method of training the joints and
tendons. Originally, this training method was only passed onto a
select few. This practice is rare nowadays.
It is not widely known, even though it is a fast and efficient method for developing stronger and more
flexible muscles and joints.
The Tai Chi Bang helps to prevent overuse injuries as it strengthens the
wrists, tendons and muscles.
It develops hand, wrist and arm strength. Older students who may
be losing hand and arm strength in performing daily tasks, such as,
turning the tap, opening jars and bottles, will find a significant
improvement after practising the Tai Chi Bang.
It helps students to feel and integrate the back with arm movements.
You will experience this immediately with the first set of movements.
It improves
coordination, internal power and one’s ability to apply
and escape from chin na which are joint locking techniques. It also
develops eagle claw power.
Practising the Tai Chi Bang regularly will improve your power and Tai
Chi skills.
"I just wanted to thank you for the Tai Chi Bang Workshop that you held
in September. I had a repetitive strain injury in my right arm that had
been giving me pain every day since June. I had to wear a brace on it
to perform everyday activities and use the computer mouse with my left
hand. The day after the workshop, my arm was pain free for the first
time. Since then it has steadily improved with daily practice and now I
can use it freely for all activities including computer work and I
haven't had to use the brace for at least a month.
The workshop also improved the flexibility in my back and legs so now I
can easily bend down to pick things up and perform household cleaning
and gardening easily.
I highly recommend the Tai Chi Bang Workshop."
Susan, TAFE Teacher (17 November 2010)
"Within
two weeks of completing the Tai Chi Bang workshop, I was amazed at the
improvement in my hand and wrist strength. Furthermore, I no longer
experience wrist pain after extended periods in front of the computer.
A number of the movements have also helped me gain a better feel for how
certain parts of my body move, and this, along with the strength
improvements, is proving useful in my martial arts practice."
Andrew, PhD Student
"I’m writing to tell of
my experience with the Tai Chi Bang. I suffer from rheumatoid arthritis
compounded by a Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) in my right wrist. I’ve
been practising for 2 years now and the practice has led to a total
recovery of the injury as well as strengthening both hands and wrists."
Alice
"Over the years, I have spent a lot of time working on computers and
have suffered pain in my arms as a result. In particular, I
experience a deep pain in my right shoulder every time I type or use a
computer mouse. Practising the Tai Chi Bang for 15 minutes a day
has stopped this pain almost completely. The effects have been
dramatic and immediate. I noticed a difference after just one week
of daily practice. I can now spend a couple of hours on a computer
without experiencing any pain in my arm. This would have been
impossible before. The exercises have also made my arms and back,
and even my legs, feel stronger. The practice has a very calming
effect and is enjoyable to do. I would recommend it to anyone."
Leonie, Art Teacher
“During the workshop where we learnt the four sets of Bang (Stick)
exercises, Fontane spoke of the benefits people had experienced in their
everyday lives. At the time, I thought that these folk were gilding the
lily a little.
After a very short time of regular practice (no large space required for
this one!), I found a significant change in my arms and hands
particularly.
For some years, I had trouble with a couple of fingers on my right hand.
The GP said it was arthritis and I accepted that as part of the ageing
process. To my surprise, it was only a matter of weeks and I found that
the fingers were not curled as I awoke each morning. If it was
arthritis, it has been frightened away.
Jokingly, I told my wife that I would have no trouble opening those
difficult jars for her. The joke became a reality. There was an almost
dramatic increase in the strength in the fingers and those jars open
with a twist these days.
Just a couple of the benefits (and almost immediate) from my association
with the Tai Chi Bang.”
Bryan,
“Life Enthusiast”
"My
grip strength changes are listed below for your interest. At the 4
week stage, there has been a 10% increase in both hands. This has come
about from practising one set of 9 repetitions of each exercise 5 to 6
times per week.
After 8 weeks, there was an 18% improvement in my left (nondominant)
hand and 12% in my right (dominant) hand."
|
Greg |
Date |
Right |
% increase |
Left |
% increase |
|
Baseline
before the workshop |
17-9-04 |
48 kg |
0% |
43 kg |
0% |
|
Workshop
|
18-9-04 |
|
|
|
|
|
1
week |
27-9-04 |
50 kg |
4 % |
43 kg |
0 % |
|
2
weeks |
5-10-04 |
50 kg |
4 % |
44 kg |
3 % |
|
3
weeks |
11-10-04 |
51 kg |
6 % |
46 kg |
6 % |
|
4
weeks |
18-10-04 |
53 kg |
10 % |
48 kg |
11 % |
|
8
weeks |
18-11-04 |
54 kg |
12 % |
51 kg |
18 % |
Greg, Sports Physician
"Fontane,
thanks for the Tai Chi Bang Workshop. It is the best training for RSI
and shoulder related problems that I see in general practice. A lot of
my patients have weak hands, sore shoulders without significant
illnesses or disease and they just need some sort of exercise to
strengthen their arms. Tai Chi Bang is the best I have seen and I can
see many uses in this area already."
David, GP
"The Bang (Stick) is an excellent way to 'flex' those tight muscles
between the shoulder blades, the neck and along the spine. I’m still
working on perfecting the technique of s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g. One thing
for sure is that you can consider the Stick as an excellent tool for a
workout and a good friend."
Grace, Administrator / Massage Therapist
"Practising the Tai Chi Bang is lots of fun – the simple
moves are easy to learn and apply. By accurately performing the
movements, the Bang training gives your body a thorough and energising
workout, while at the same time being low-impact. The improvement
to your flexibility and strength are immediate and measurable.
While undertaking a routine medical examination a few weeks after
initially learning to train with the Bang I completed a grip test.
While I usually measured around the average grip strength for a woman
(27kg), I was pleasantly surprised to see my grip had improved to the
average of a man (44kg)."
Lyndal, Analyst
"As a result of
practising the Tai Chi Bang, I am now able to play the guitar with a
degree of competency that delights me. I have noticed increased
flexibility in my wrist and a greater facility for controlling and
'working' my little finger. Also, the gentle twisting action of the Tai
Chi Bang has helped me to relax my hands further. General increased
overall strength in my arms has enabled me to take my playing to a level
where I can play pieces I thought I would never master.
Fontane, even though
I’m probably not doing the movements as perfectly as you showed me,
something is working! Thank you for teaching me."
Felicia, Public Servant
"I
did the Tai Chi Bang (Stick) workshop held by Fontane earlier this year
(2004). I found that while practising the Bang, I give my shoulders,
arms and wrists a really hard workout. It has helped me overcome a
problem I was having with my shoulder, helped with my martial arts
training and makes riding my motorbike easier."
Kylie, Network Officer
"Last
year I broke my wrist badly and several months later it still remained
very weak and stiff. My doctor gave me strengthening exercises to do
but I found that they made my wrist painful and I was reluctant to do
them. I
then found out about the
Tai Chi Bang, and thought this might be the answer. I attended the
workshop, and although it went for over three hours, my wrist was not at
all sore the next day.
I have now been practising the Bang for just over a month and have
noticed a significant improvement in both the strength and flexibility
of my wrist. I can't say exactly why, but I really enjoy the exercises
themselves and the coordination I have learnt through them. I have also
learned to engage my back more, which I find helpful to my Tai Chi
practice. Like Tai Chi, using the stick is very relaxing, and I am very
pleased that I have learned another skill for life."
Jocelyn, Lawyer
“Since
I have been practising Tai Chi Bang, I can feel that my wrist, arm and
shoulder strength is much stronger now. I would recommend it to
everyone.”
John, Retiree
"Doing
the Tai Chi Bang for the first time was quite an experience. I treasure
my Bang very much and practise on a daily basis. It has helped improve
movements in my form and given me flexibility, increased hand, leg and
arm strength."
George, Retired
"Practising Tai Chi Bang gives me a real sense of
accomplishment and achievement. It is a very different set of
movements, using the Bang (or Stick) instead of just yourself, but you
can feel the strength increasing in your wrists.
The
different movements allow for a change of pace which is quite enjoyable.
My advice
–
give it a go, as you will really enjoy it."
Jenny, Public Servant
"I
have found the Tai Chi Bang training to be very beneficial. It has
helped to improve my coordination and body awareness, and develop
greater hand and wrist strength and flexibility. When I grip it has
made me become much more aware of how each finger is working and of how
to use strength without generating tension. It is certainly a useful
adjunct to my Wu Dao Gong training and I think anyone would benefit from
the techniques."
Murli, Veterinarian
“When I learned how to train with the Bang, I was
surprised that my back was so involved in the process. It always feels
great the next day and the training has also helped the arthritis in my
hands. I am impressed with the improvement in my grip and have become
aware of changes in my elbows. They are slowly gaining flexibility and
are no longer another source of arthritis.”
Dave, Carer, Environmental Consultant
"I
learned the Tai Chi Bang movements in a recent workshop. Since then I
have found that my hand and wrist strength have improved just as Fontane
said they would. In order to judge our progress, we were asked to shake
the hands of other class members when we first started practising with
the Bang. Well I can testify to the fact that in a month, my class
mates have definitely developed much stronger grips! The practice is
very enjoyable and doesn’t take long to do. It is easy to feel it
working the back, arms and legs."
Chris, IT Support
“I have
found the Bang (Stick) exercises particularly beneficial. You can
literally feel your body responding to these simple routines. It’s a
great way to exercise and de-stress.”
Charles, recently retired
●
Interview – "Tai Chi Bang (Stick) Gave Me Back the Full Use of My Right Hand"
●
Unique Tai Chi Bang (Stick) DVD Package .TOP |
