The main benefits of Tai Chi that emerged were its energising, calming, grounding, centering and enjoyable aspects. Findings further pointed to additional benefits incurred in the learning process of Tai Chi, such as patience, acceptance of things as they are, and an increase in physical, mental, and spiritual awareness.

Eleven people with an HIV-positive diagnosis, attended weekly Tai chi classes lasting one and a half hours, over 8 months. Classes involved learning chi kung, guided relaxation, the Yang style Tai Chi long form, and occasional discussion of philosophy and symbolism of Tai Chi as it related to daily life. Data was obtained by means of individual interviews, a questionnaire and focus group.

The benefits of Tai Chi were presented from the author's experience, together with an explanation of its philosophy and origins. Literature surveyed covered research studies involving Tai Chi; the healing tradition of Tai Chi; the 'mindbody' concept; psycho(neuro)immunology and HIV; the minority alternative view of HIV; and long-term survival with HIV/AIDS.

Participants were self-selected, and in the main actively pursuing a health strategy which included other holistic therapies. All the men stated homosexual preference, the women heterosexual. Everyone felt their own personal healing path entailed living a more healthy/balanced/peaceful lifestyle, listening to their body, paying attention to their needs, acknowledging and expressing their feelings, and exploring their spirituality.

People felt that the imagery and symbolism of the Tai Chi form helped them to broaden their mind, and see things in a different way, to come into the body and focus; and that the natural images conveyed a sense of calm and inner peace. Everyone felt that Tai Chi would be a beneficial therapy to offer to people living with HIV, the main reasons being that it helped to maintain wellbeing, reduce stress, increase awareness, focus on the real issues of life, it was a way of helping yourself, and was energizing and calming at the same time. It was further concluded that Tai Chi may assist the process of individuation, in that the inward focus and movement gradually engender increasing awareness towards integration of mind and body, being in the present, and feeling part of a larger whole.

Changes in participants energy fields before and after Tai Chi were monitored by the new and innovative GDV technique. The GDV, which compares changes in energy fields was developed by Russian biophysicist, Professor Konstantin Korotkov, and uses optic technology and an electrode system with specialised computer software, to create a high intensity electric field around an object. Any electrical properties, emission characteristics, gas evaporation or energy exchange with the environment are reflected in a glow around the object that can be recorded and measured. Korotkov uses the Su-Jock system of acupuncture developed by Park (1978) to construct from parameter analysis of the finger images, an image of the whole energy-field. The images in this Tai Chi study showed a significant difference in the energy field of participants - from weak, fragmented images before Tai Chi towards a brighter and more unified shape after Tai Chi.

The study was limited in scope and size, and there was no controlled monitoring, so while the study indicates that many benefits accrue from the practice of Tai Chi, it's findings are inconclusive. Future reaseach on the healing effects of Tai Chi using the GDV kirliangraphic computer technique may present prospects for verification in many areas, and can be monitored closely over longer periods of time.

Researchers found the benefits from Tai Chi practice to be in accord with those associated with the healing tradition of Tai Chi, and with other research studies involving Tai Chi.

Participants said that practicing Tai Chi gave them an increased sense of calm, wellbeing, and focus, and that they enjoyed a feeling of renewed energy.

First published in the International Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine,"The Therapeutic Effect of Tai Chi in the Healing Process of HIV" by Carolyn J. is available at CCPE (Centre for Counselling & Psychotherapy Education, Beauchamp Lodge, 2 Warwick Ave, London W2 6NE Te: 0171 266 3006, or from Carolyn Howell. It was found at http://www.psychnet-uk.com/readers_articles/the%20theraputic%20effect%20of%20tai%20chi.htm