Tai chi is an ancient Chinese martial arts tradition that is healing Iowa veterans. When incorporated into rehabilitation programs, tai chi can bring veterans relief from anxiety, PTSD and physical ailments.
On this hour of Talk of Iowa, host Charity Nebbe chats with Lori Enloe, a physical therapist and Tai chi teacher with the Iowa City veteran health care system, along with some of her students at the VA medical center.
"It's been three months since I've had a nightmare, whereas before it couldn't remember not having one for three or four days," said Paul Ramirez, veteran combat medic with the Iowa National Guard, who was able to replace his most of his medications treating PTSD with daily tai chi. "I was always alert. Everywhere I went I knew everything that was going on, always ready to react to what happened. With tai chi it's made me more aware and less alert and calming me down it's allowed me to open up myself more readily. Socially it's made a big difference for me."
Later in the hour, esports have become a billion dollar industry and now they’re coming soon to a high school near you. We talk with Iowa coaches about how to launch a successful team.
Guests include:
- Lori Enloe, physical therapist and tai chi instructor with the Iowa City veteran health care system
- Gerry Schindler, veteran combat medic with the infantry unit in Vietnam
- Jodi Johnson, former member of the Navy
- Paul Ramirez, veteran combat medic with the Iowa National Guard
- Tricia Yu, creator of the Tai Chi Fundamentals program
- Joe Edeker, graduate of Waco High School
- Drew Ayrit, esports coach at Waco High School
- Kyle Kuhler, esports coach at the Waterloo Career Center for the Waterloo School District
