Way overdue with updates

It's been months since I've been here to post and I apologize. Here's what's happening.

The tai chi classes in Round Rock have finally gotten underway. Weds mornings at 8:30 now. More info at www.rrkarate.com

Monthly article here http://www.garyellistaichi.co.uk/. My teacher, Tom Baeli, and I both write for Gary's site.

My websites have been combined into one at www.wedlakekenpotv.com I have opened a tai chi/chi kung video membership (cheap!)  there for those of you who want that little extra. You can try it for $1.

Doc Rowe is recovering from an injury but is still teaching in Ft Myers and will start a class on Sanibel.

That's it for now.

Classes starting here in Texas

I will be starting classes here in Round Rock, TX in February. An intro session will be held at 10am on Weds, Feb 15 at Round Rock Karate Academy in the Old Settler's Plaza at Sunrise and Old Settler's Bl.
You can register by e-mail by sending me a note at lee@leewedlake.com.

Resources on Aging

Check out the National Institute on Agings websites. You'll find tai chi listed as an exercise for balance at
http://go4life.niapublications.org/try-these-exercises/balance/tai-chi
Lots more general info at http://go4life.niapublications.org/ and http://go4life.niapublications.org/

Thanks to Doc Rowe for pointing me to this.

New site for students in England

My student in Plymouth, England is building a site. Here's the link.www.garyellistaichi.co.uk

Archives of Internal Medicine

A recent article says older women should be excercising to stave off Alzheimers. Here are excerpts.


Brains and Aging
Comment on "Physical Activity and Cognition in Women With Vascular Conditions" and "Activity Energy Expenditure and Incident Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults"
Eric B. Larson, MD, MPH

Arch Intern Med. Published online July 19, 2011. doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2011.273

The study found that persons in the highest tertile of average energy expenditure(AEE) had significantly lower odds of cognitive impairment compared with persons in the lowest tertile. The fact that the study used a validated measurement of energy expenditure, not just self-report, makes the results of further importance.
Most notably, vascular degenerative processes clearly play an important role in late-life dementias. In addition, vascular risk factors, such as limited physical activity, midlife hypertension, and smoking, are associated with late-life dementias. In practice, distinguishing vascular dementia from Alzheimer disease is difficult, especially in very old patients in whom dementia is most common. Importantly, limited physical activity and other vascular risk factors are modifiable, suggesting potential for reducing the growing burden of late-life cognitive impairment.
Among the growing evidence base for the benefit of even moderate exercise, an earlier randomized controlled trial showed that, even after onset of dementia, a regular walking program reduced decline and was associated with decreased admission to nursing homes for behavioral problems.

Tai chi and fibromyalgia

There's a link here for an editorial piece from the New England Journal of Medicine that only shows the first 100 words but when I read the whole if it, provided by Dr. Rowe, they think tai chi helps. NEJM has published two articles on tai chi as a therapy, as well.
   While at this link, take a look at the other two articles and comments you find in a search under tai chi on the NEJM site. I think you'll find them interesting.
editorial   http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe1006315
other articles  http://www.nejm.org/search?q=tai+chi+fibromyalgia&asug=tai

Testimonial

I had the privilege of attending Lee Wedlake and Dr. Rowe's first ever "Functional Anatomy for Martial Artists" seminar. This is a must for all instructors and serious martial artists! Instructors often teach students that if they do "a certain move" on an opponent the effect will be a break or injury. However; if a practitioner themselves move in an incorrect way, the effect on themselves may also result in a break or serious injury.
Ed Parker often stated that; "The man who knows how will always be the student, but the man who knows why will continue to be the instructor." Taking SGM Parker's quote to the next level, participants in these seminars will learn the "hows" that make these "whys" work or in some cases not work.
I can't wait for part two of this seminar series.
Tim Walker, 4th degree black belt
American Kenpo Karate University, Inc.