Hi Al...I had a bi-lateral mastectomy and am in the process of reconstruction. I am interested in learning a discipline that will relax me and give me energy. Also, interested in increasing oxygen/circulation in my body. While I think that the approach is not stressful, I have been told to not engage in any strenuous exercise for another month. So my question is, do you have clients with a similar experience as mine, and do you believe that tai chi can help me increase my health, reduce my stress and get me back to a "normal" life.

Thank you for your message, Esther. I wish you much healing to help you rebuild your health. As you'll learn from our program, we treat each person as unique. Even if two people have the same "disease" or "health compromise", they are still unique individuals, with a unique body, mind, and energy system. As such, it's important that they customize the energy work they learn to their unique situation. In our Complete Course, we attempt to provide you with the information you need to customize our practices to you. So especially in your case, I would not recommend any off-the-shelf, run-of-the-mill tai chi or qigong class, video, or book you might happen to stumble across. We have had students with mastectomies - not a lot, but a good number. Some of them came to us specifically for gentle healing. But you know, each person is different. You may have to make adjustments to your practice based on your circumstances, or possibly not practice certain exercises. Without me knowing you personally, it's hard for me to give you a more specific answer. Unfortunately, I am unable to give medical advice by email. I would recommend that you consult your personal health care practitioner before engaging in any physical activity or before taking any advice from our program. Please try out the sample lessons I send you. They will help you see if our course is something you can do. That should give you a better idea of what our entire course is like. What's most important here though is that you work within your limitations. Pay special attention to the details in our program, and always work at about the 40% or less level. (We discussed the "70% rule" and the "40% or less rule" in the next sample lesson, and it's also at the beginning of Level 1 of our Complete Course.)

What you refer to as "Postural Muscles" is, I think, what I know as "Sinergistic muscles", right? In Martial Qigong one main goal of the training is to learn to control them. That's why in Wai Qigong we spend so much time lifting heavy weighs while trying to stay relaxed. Anyway, your method is very interesting. Thanks. Kusu.

No, the term "synergistic muscles" does not necessarily refer to the same thing as "postural muscles". Those terms come from two different ways of looking at muscles. The term "synergistic muscle" comes from a classification that looks at the role the muscle plays in a SPECIFIC movement. A muslce may be synergistic in one movement, but not in another. The muscle's classification changes, depending on the movement. The term "postural muscle" comes from a different classification. In this classification, we look to see whether muscles are primarily designed to help in movement or primarily designed to help in holding your body up. Though a postural can help in movement, its classification does not change based on the movement. It's still a postural muscle, whether it's helping a movement or not. In other words, a postural muscle may be synergistic in some movements, but not in others. But it's always a postural muscle.

Thank youso much. Very interesting and very helpful. I'm 76 years old and I'm want to do something that will hesp me stay as healthy as possible. I've tried Tai Chi before but I've learned more about what it really is by watching your mini videos and listening to your explanations. I've started taking Qigong lessons two weeks ago and that's how I discovered you. Ilove it!!! Thanks again. Many blessings.

I would like to say a big thank you to Al Simon. I'm very interested in learning Tai Chi, but if it wasn't for this website I may have spent a long time just going through "the motions" of Tai Chi. So thank you Al Simon, for helping me learn about the kinesthetic approach to Tai Chi

So you use isometrics as a core to assisting the body in moving?

Just for this little trick. No, there are no other isometrics in the course.

I feel motivated and on right track. Thank you.

That is a real unique way to teach. I really appreciate that Sir. Thanks a lot...