Facilitation Technique Category: Tai Chi

Activity Title: Creating the Tai Chi Energy Ball Exercise

Source: Dattilo, J., & McKenney, A. (2011) Facilitation Techniques in Therapeutic
Recreation. State College, PA: Venture Publishing, Inc.
Jin, P. (1992). Efficacy of Tai Chi, brisk walking, meditation, and reading in reducing
mental and emotional stress. Journal of psychosomatic research,36(4), 361-370.
Equipment: None. Only critical aspect is that participants should have sufficient room to
move without making contact with one another (at least arms length apart).
Activity Description: Tai Chi is technically a Chinese of martial art, however its
philosophies and benefits reach for more than just the martial art field. The therapeutic
effects of Tai Chi has been documented for more than 600 years but, Tai Chis history
spawns all the way back to ancient Chinese times. Tai Chi has many different styles,
which is good because this means there are many different levels to accommodate for
beginner students, and then techniques reserved for those who are more advanced.
However, even though there are many levels through which to advance in terms of
knowledge/technique of Tai Chi, the positive benefit of this art form is that there is no
competitive aspect to it, no equipment is needed, and perfect form is not required. Also,
because Tai Chi emphasizes body relaxation, muscle concentration, and movement
coordination; it is thought to be an exercise that has beneficial physical and psychological
components to it as well. Now, the activity chosen this week is called the Energy Ball
exercise. This activity is useful in developing an awareness of energy, and skill with
working with energy. This skill is one of the foundations in Tai Chi, so learning this
activity will only help the client to both better grasp the concept of Tai Chi, and to also
help attain a more balanced center, in regards to their body and state of mind. Step 1) In
creating the Tai Chi Ball of energy is to first, rub your hand briskly together (similar to
how you would on a cold day, but now add attention and awareness to the move). Step 2)
Intention, hold the intention of bringing and feeling your qi, or life force, to your hands.
3) Awareness, be aware of your hands and feel for a life force energy between each hand.
In addition, try to feel the connection of energy that exists between both hands. Step 4)
Pull your hands gently apart. After your hands feel that they have been filed with warmth
and qi, and you can sense a strong connection between them, begin the process of now
pulling them apart, gently and slowly. Step 5) Keep your hands and fingers soft.
Remember to keep both your hands and fingers flowing smoothly through the air, it is
essential to keep them relaxed and fluid. Step 6) Bring your hands closer together. After
separating your hands apart, once you feel the connection between your hands weaken,
begin the process of slowly bringing them back together once more. Step 7) Dont let
your hands touch. Step 8) Continue the process of pulling your hands apart and bringing
them back close together. Repeat the process of bring hands close together (while still
keeping concept of hands not touching throughout), and then slowly bringing them back
apart, and continue the process. Make sure to maintain a slow and steady rhythm, as well
as, trying to feel the energy in your hands, as well as the energy that is connecting your

hands. Also important, is to notice any changes in these energies as you move through
this process. In the beginning, this routine may seem redundant or non-effective, however
with time and practice, you will begin to notice a sensation between your palms. Some
describe the feeling as heat, while others describe it more as a force like that of two
repelling magnets. Step 9) To end. To end this exercise, pull your hands slowly apart, and
let them drop to your sides.
Leadership Considerations: A CTRS will function as an instructor for this activity, and
he/she will assist if any help is needed. If there are any limitations that a client may have
or that has already been diagnosed as having, it is essential that the CTRS gather this
information as early as possible. This is done so the leader can have time to
prepare/adjust the activities, according to the specific clients needs. Also, in order to gain
more prestige and better knowledge of the Tai Chi field (as well as gain more
accreditation amongst possible clients), it is better if the instructor become certified by
the National Tai Chi Chuan Association (where they provide workshops) in order to
become certified as a Tai Chi instructor. Furthermore, to achieve desired outcomes when
using a Tai Chi program, it is useful to: 1) establish a clear purpose statement for the
program, 2) provide goals that are helpful in assisting to clarify the intent of the program,
and 3) provide specific objectives and clearly articulated performance measure, to help
better keep track of the clients progression. Additionally, in order to achieve the optimal
environment for conducting Tai Chi, it is a good idea that the instructor place all the
clients, in a fashion where they can all clearly see the instructor while he/she teaches.
Comfortable room temperature, adequate lighting, and soft music, are also possible
options to help make the environment more conducted towards a better Tai Chi
environment.
Adaptations: Participants with Coronary Artery Disease: Coronary Artery Disease or
CAD, is the most common form of heart disease, and is also leading cause of death for
men and women, in the U.S. CAD occurs when the arteries that lead blood to the heart,
become hardened and narrow. The reason behind this hardening and narrowing
pathways, is due to the buildup of cholesterol and plaque that attach themselves to the
inner walls. This buildup of plaque and cholesterol results in the heart not receiving the
sufficient amounts of blood and oxygen needed, in order to carry out its normal functions.
These effects can then lead to angina (chest pain) or a heart attack. Specific symptoms
include, angina (chest pain), shortness of breath, or heart attack. Due to the symptoms
described above for CAD, it is important to note certain adaptations that can also be
provided to help ensure that the client be more safe, and to help make the activity feel
more inclusive for the client. The following adaptations that can help a clients who have
CAD include: reducing or eliminating extreme physical exertion, avoiding extreme
temperatures (by providing a fan or mini a/c unit for the client), keeping the environment
where Tai Chi will be performed free from dust, smoke, strong odors, or fumes, and by
allowing multiple breaks within the activity, if need be. The adaptations listed above were
mentioned because these all in some way, help to prevent the clients heart rate from
dropping or rising too rapidly, and they also help to prevent the client from feeling certain
forms of discomfort, which can negatively affect their heart rate, hence worsening their
condition (Tsai et al., 2003).

Participants with Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis is a condition which causes bones to

become weak and brittle. In some cases the loss of bone can become so severe that even a
fall or mild stress applied on bones, during an action such as bending over or coughing
can cause a bone fracture. By definition, bone is living tissue that is consistently being
broken down and replaced. However, osteoporosis takes place when the creation of new
bone, does not keep up with the removal of old bone. During the early stages of
osteoporosis there are no symptoms, but after time, some systems may include: back pain
(caused by a fracture or collapsed vertebra), loss of height over time, a stooped posture,
or a bone fracture that occurs much more easily than expected. As far as adaptations for
clients with osteoporosis, it is important to not that even though there are multiple
adaptations to choose from, the leader of this activity must make sure that the clients
osteoporosis level is no too severe, that they may be of risk of injuring themselves during
Tai Chi. With that being said, possible adaptations for clients who have Osteoporosis
(whose level of disability is not too severe) includes: avoiding the lifting of heavy
objects, avoiding difficult/extreme positions, allowing multiple breaks to occur within the
activity (Tsang & Hui-Chan, 2003).
Adaptations References
-Tsai, J. C., Wang, W. H., Chan, P., Lin, L. J., Wang, C. H., Tomlinson, B., ... & Liu, J. C.
(2003). The beneficial effects of Tai Chi Chuan on blood pressure and lipid profile and
anxiety status in a randomized controlled trial. The Journal of Alternative &
Complementary Medicine, 9(5), 747-754.
-Tsang, W. W., & Hui-Chan, C. W. (2003). Effects of tai chi on joint proprioception and
stability limits in elderly subjects. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.