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What a Door to Walk Through – by Kathy Horning

September 8, 2013 By Arlene Faulk

kathy horning-small

Eight years ago I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. And an underlying secondary autoimmune dysfunction that attacks mixed connective tissues—muscles, tendons, ligaments, and skin. I needed a specialist for my baseline healthcare, but I felt I needed more to keep this rather frightening diagnosis bundle from redefining my life in ways I wasn’t in a hurry to explore.

Ideally I hoped to piece together a plan of actions to help me get an advantage over this dreary reality without heavy medications that then often have the reputation of bringing other parts of us into the bundle … stomach reactions, headache reactions, energy reactions. Could I find a path that empowered my health and empowered me emotionally, without creating additional issues?

I have a phenomenal rheumatologist—top-tier medically and true compassion for his patients. He listened and agreed to give me certain leeway in my treatment, with the understanding that he would be straightforward with me if he saw things were deteriorating.

I have an extremely finessed acupuncturist who treats me every other week … for the last 8 years.

And I have Arlene and her unparalleled mastery of Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and a healing approach to everything . . . with no detail or obstacle being too small to address. I cannot adequately put into words Arlene’s impact on my health, my life, my outlook on my future. My original goal was to be able to regain enough range of motion so I could unload my dishwasher without it being an exercise in serious pain. Was that a lot to ask? Many days it seemed absolutely insurmountable.

Through her weekly classes, I learned and practiced. Everything seemed foreign.  Until one day it felt like home . . . familiar, comforting, and happy. I stopped worrying so much and really got into this new way of gently challenging and coaxing my body to work better without pain. She gave me exercises to do with my fingers in the car at red lights . . . how simple and yet profound!

My range of motion began to return, my full dishwasher was no longer a threat, and then actions and abilities I hadn’t even contemplated conquering were suddenly well with reach. Arlene always emphasizes being aware of your physical realities without judgment.  A limitation today may become a hazy memory in the not-so-distant future.

The combination of my Tai Chi practice under Arlene and my regular acupuncture have put me in a place where the only medication I need to get my unhealthy bundle to back off a bit is a 25% dose of the mildest option on the market. I am vigilant regarding my appointments with my rheumatologist, who continues to be a thoroughly supportive guide in my health world. I am better in every way than when I was diagnosed … and what’s very exciting is the objective medical tests verify my improvement … it registers in my x-rays, my CT scans, and my pulmonary-function tests.

And I am better without needing to sacrifice any aspect of my health to a harsh treatment. The door to Arlene’s teaching world begins a journey that is nothing but good on too many levels to count.

Filed Under: Change, Listening to our Body, Mindfulness, Paying Attention, Qi Gong, Tai Chi Tagged With: healing, open to change, positive, resourceful, tenacious

Arlene Faulk

Arlene Faulk

After a years-long struggle to understand and conceal debilitating symptoms while I ascended the corporate ladder, I found comfort and healing through Tai Chi and Chinese Medicine.

My memoir, Walking on Pins and Needles, is the story about the power to control our lives and move in the direction of possibility. Read more...

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“A LIFE-AFFIRMING STORY”

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My book Walking on Pins and Needles: A Memoir of Chronic Resilience in the Face of Multiple Sclerosis is available in paperback & e-book.

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FROM TAI CHI STUDENTS

Tai Chi makes me feel calm, yet energized. Because of my practice, the small irritants of life affect me less.

Tai Chi student

I had back surgery, was in pain and had little range of motion. Tai Chi practice at Heartwood has helped me increase flexibility, my range of motion and my overall stamina.

Tai Chi student

Arlene teaches the Tai Chi form in such a gentle and connected way that many movements now feel utterly natural and healing.

Tai Chi student

I've even shared some of the exercises with my bike club to help reduce injuries. They really work!

Tai Chi student

I've always been a klutz and have regularly lost my balance and fallen when walking outside. Arlene taught me how to stand and walk properly through Tai Chi. I really can't believe it: I haven't fallen in four years since I've been taking Tai Chi with Arlene!

Tai Chi student

I love Arlene's Tai Chi classes. She helps us understand not only what we're doing, but also why we're doing it. That really helps me take what I learn in class and apply it to my daily life.

Tai Chi student

I'm really inspired by what Tai Chi has done for Arlene. She is a great teacher, who is calm and very patient. She has really helped me not to be so hard on myself.

Tai Chi student

I play golf and had a lesson after school, on the same day we had Tai Chi class. My coach commented, 'Your posture is amazing and all of the balance issues that we have been fighting for so long seem to have just taken a vacation.' I mentioned to him that I thought it was due to Tai Chi.

Tai Chi student

Tai Chi relaxes your entire body and promotes peace and proper breathing. The more I manage to breathe properly while doing any activity in my life, I generally tend to do a lot better at it. I benefited from Tai Chi because it managed to help me with my breathing skills even more.

Tai Chi student

Tai Chi really gives my body strength to put up with the pains of my breast cancer and back problems. Tai Chi is 'sneaky'. You don't think it's helping, but eventually you realize it's helping you.

Tai Chi student

For me, Tai Chi brings comfort and quiet amidst all the chaos and change.

Becky, Tai Chi student

In just a few months, the practice has become perhaps the most nurturing element in my life during COVID times, when sustaining a commitment to anything else has been challenging.

Barb, Tai Chi student

The community Tai Chi has provided has been a gift. With so much we can now do whenever we wish --- with an app, YouTube video, or streaming service --- meeting weekly (via zoom) in real time, live, to practice Tai Chi creates true community.

David, Tai Chi student

I really enjoy our time together and I've found Tai Chi a great way to "keep moving," not only during this pandemic but also as a regular practice with a wonderful integration of mind, body and spirit.

Martha, Tai Chi student

Tuning into the class and seeing familiar faces of the other students brings a nice sense of community and connection during this time of separation and isolation.

Julia, Tai Chi student

I love the walking practice because it helps me slow down and focus only on the moment.

Tai Chi student

Tai Chi has made me aware of how I’m standing and where my weight is. My balance is improving.

Tai Chi student

I hear Arlene saying to listen to my body and only do what I can do. That helps me relax.

Tai Chi student

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