Research
At the Tai Chi & Meditation Centre, we feel that skilful and regular practice of our mind-body disciplines will lead to balance and self-transformation on many levels and areas, including but not limited to “health”.  A growing number of medical and scientific studies are finding both specific and general benefits are associated with mind-body practices.  Here are a few examples.

Meditation

• Attention span and stress reduction
• Increasing brain grey matter
• Compassion meditation and the brain
• Pain Management
• Impact of personality on stress
• General benefits

Qigong

• In place of drugs
• Helping cancer
• General benefits
• Anti aging
• General benefits of Tai Chi & Qigong

Tai Chi Chuan (TaijiQuan)

• General health and well-being
• Balance
• Fibromyalgia  
• Psychological health  
• General benefits of Tai Chi & Qigong

Praise for Tai Chi & Meditation Centre and Shifu Andy James
"An excellent book" (The Conscious I by Andy James) - Ken Wilber, world renowned consciousness philosopher and author.

"Here is another highly inspiring book (Ageless Wisdom Spirituality by Andy James) written with a great clarity and broad scope by Andy James who, in addition to his mastery over Tai Chi Chuan and Qi Gong, received a complete training course under my instruction and guidance" - V.R. Dhiravamsa, Vipassana Meditation Master and international author.

"In this book (The Spiritual Legacy of Shaolin Temple), Andy James gives us the history and evolution of the Shaolin, Daoist, and Chan (Zen) Buddhist systems and disposes of some misconceptions surrounding these misconceptions. James is eminently qualified to present this information" - Dr. Jerry Alan Johnson, Executive Director of the International Institute of Medical Qigong and author of Chinese Medical Qigong Therapy: A Comprehensive Clinical Guide and other Chinese martial and medical books.

"Andy James is much sought after by TV, radio, and the print media simply because he is as well informed as he is articulate. He moves with ease from the heights of martial arts expertise to the depths of spiritual insights and meditation techniques" - Gerard and Lili Fournier, Producers of the award winning "Quest" series on PBS.

'This is an easy read (The Conscious I). I cannot recommend this book highly enough. This can really turn things around for you".-Bill Carroll, Toronto radio host.

"I just finished your book Ageless Wisdom Spirituality. It is so fine. For more than 30 years, I have been saying, teaching, breathing Wisdom's connecting consciousness. You are a master of this connecting of all of life and your insights are a gift" - Georgene Wilson, OSF (Fransiscan)

"Andy, I'm grateful for your work.. all the years you have spent as an integrated Asian oriented teacher... What I see you doing is now is bringing this out into the world" - Michael Schwartz, Assoc Prof, Augusta State University.

"Your session was extremely well received by our students. They found it informative, interesting and personally valuable. After the class, I received numerous compliments about your session and requests for more classes with you" - Gretchen Kerr, Associate Dean, University of Toronto.

"You were a huge hit with our Wellness and Lifestyle Management class at Centennial College. The feedback we received was extremely positive, including comments like 'excellent', 'fascinating' and 'really informative'. My own observation was that the students were completely captivated by your demonstration" - Susan Toews

"Thank you for your participation as a guest speaker at Habitat. Your contribution helps to enrich our program.. the residents enjoyed hearing you speak very much and we look forward to your future involvement" - Kyree Fisher, Canadian Film Centre.

I know that the Tai Chi & Meditation Centre will always be with me, but I will miss the ongoing interactions. What you have created Andy is such a unique phenomenon. You are reaching out and helping so many people in very deep and lasting ways. I am so proud of your courage and visions - Karen G

"Within three months of Qigong treatments and instruction, I have experienced a significant improvement in the functioning of my legs. For the first time in 17 years, I wake up in the morning pain-free in my ankles, knees and hips" -Dawne G

"My balance has improved enormously, I walk better and my mind feels more focused and generally calmer. I love my classes, I love my teachers and my life is enriched. Thank you. " Nonnie E

"After chemotherapy..Tai Chi has given me a sense of overall well-being. It also brings with it positive thinking, inner strength and helps mentally, physically and spiritually. Tai Chi brings a natural high" - Ann H

"And then I know. I KNOW that while we have form we are not form. While there are discreet beings we are not only discreet beings. Form and ego exist but they are only part of the picture. I had read about this. I had listened to my teacher speak about this. I had stretched my mind to try and understand this. But in meditation I came to know this" - Carrie B

"Opening my heart to others had to be one of the most difficult things I have ever done in my life. I am so glad I did it because it helped me see where my blocks, limitations and beliefs were coming from and allowed me to really look at these areas" - Tracey W

"Thank you for inviting me to your mind-body self-defence course. I found it very informative and valuable and now I can actually feel better about coming home late at night" - Evelyn

"I feel I have learned a great deal about awareness, how not to be a victim, precautions and specific actions to take. I am encouraging every woman I know to take this (Mind-body self-defence) course" - Alison J

As a result of congenitally deformed bones in my feet, I had been living with referred pain and stiffness in my knees and lower back for years... After one year of Tai Chi, I can detect a subtle shift in my posture, balance, stamina and attention span...Even students with physical limitations like myself can experience gentle mastery of mind and body through regular tai chi practice - Anne M

"Being introduced to meditation and the Centre has turned out to be a turning point in my life. Fortunately, I didn't allow unfounded stereotypes to stop me having the rare opportunity on 'meet myself'" - Patty R

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