Tai Chi & Brain Injury

Peggy Lytle, hailing from Carmichael, CA, is a remarkable individual who exudes a perpetual smile and maintains an unwaveringly positive outlook on life, despite having weathered a series of traumas. Her journey with Tai Chi is a testament to her resilience and also how Tai Chi helped her with brain injury.

Hidden beneath Peggy’s cheerful exterior is a history of adversity. It wasn’t until a recent class that she disclosed her brain injury and subsequent disability, the result of a traumatic biking accident in 2009 that necessitated multiple surgeries. The post-surgery period brought cognitive challenges, characterized by forgetfulness and attention deficit disorder (ADD). Her life took a tumultuous turn as she sought various treatments and interventions to restore her cognitive abilities, but only receiving some coping techniques to deal with her new realities.  

A turning point came when a nurse suggested she explore Tai Chi. Peggy’s first encounter with this ancient practice revealed its unique potential for healing, prompting her to delve deeper. Under the guidance of instructors Chris Shelton and Tony Wong, she committed to daily practice. A year later, her cognitive test results astonished her doctor, indicating substantial recovery. This pivotal experience led Peggy to become a dedicated brain health professional.

In Peggy’s view, traumatic brain injuries do not naturally heal over time; they require intervention. Her gratitude for discovering Tai Chi is boundless, as research supports its benefits for brain injury recovery, including improved balance, coordination, strength, flexibility, endurance, and reduced fatigue, anxiety, and depression – issues Peggy herself confronted.

Based on the scientific studies, here are some specific ways that Tai Chi can help with brain injury recovery:

• Improve balance and coordination: Tai chi movements are gentle and rhythmic, which can help to improve balance and coordination. This can be especially helpful for people who have difficulty walking or moving around after a brain injury.
• Increase strength and flexibility: Tai chi movements work all of the major muscle groups in the body. This can help to increase strength and flexibility, which can improve overall physical function and reduce the risk of falls.
• Improve endurance: Tai chi is a low-impact exercise, but it can still help to improve endurance. This is because tai chi requires sustained effort to maintain the slow, graceful movements.
• Reduce fatigue: Tai chi can help to reduce fatigue by improving circulation and oxygen delivery to the brain. It can also help to reduce stress and anxiety, which can contribute to fatigue.
• Reduce anxiety and depression: Tai chi is a calming and meditative exercise. It can help to reduce anxiety and depression by promoting relaxation and focus.
• Improve cognitive functions. Tai Chi has been shown to improve memory, attention, and processing speedy.

Peggy’s personal journey attests to Tai Chi’s capacity to alleviate anxiety and depression through its calming and meditative aspects. Furthermore, it has been shown to improve brains’ executive functions.

Today, Peggy imparts her knowledge of Tai Chi and Qigong to others, specializing in enhancing focus, memory, balance, agility, leg strength, and more. Along with her other certifications, she is able to work with cancer survivors, Parkinson’s patients, and those with traumatic brain injuries (TBI), vestibular disorders, joint replacements, and diabetes.

What sets Peggy apart is her willingness to openly share her story, despite the painful memories associated with her brain injury. Her candid interview, embedded in the above attached video, provides a heartfelt glimpse into her inspiring journey of resilience and recovery.