Local Tai Chi Instructor Speaks of Life-Saving "Push"

When considering a Tai Chi class, one may feel intimidated by visions of ninja warriors in the cover of night gliding over roof tops, samari swords blazing.  While Hollywood lends to the imagination, Steve Haidinger at Concho Yoga and Tai Chi at 227 North Main St. sheds light on the reality.

Steve was a military firefighter for 30 years. Early in his career, he was fighting a fire on the wing of a B-52 airplane and was hit with a high pressure water stream which caused him to fall 24 feet directly onto his tailbone. In later years, the injuries he sustained from his accident left him at times physically paralyzed in pain. He was given physical therapy, prescription painkillers and muscle relaxers by physicians for 12 years and nothing changed.

“I was in an excruciating amount of pain at all times," he said. "The medications only acted as a blocker or band aid to the real problem… I wasn’t getting any better."

One day, while in the presence of a Tai Chi Master, something life altering happened.  

“He had seen me walking”, Haidinger recalled. “He came up to me and asked if I had back problems. I told him I was in a terrible amount of pain. The Tai Chi master said, 'I can fix that'. At that point, I was feeling desperate to free myself of pain and told him I would try anything. He then put two fingers against my forehead and two on my back then gave a big push. The pain was gone." 

That was 15 years ago. Steve’s amazing experience with the Tai Chi Master led him to train in China at the birthplace of Tai Chi in the Wudong Mountains.  

“I’ve never looked back. I no longer suffer from sciatica”, he said smiling.

Haidinger suggests Tai Chi to people who may be struggling and suffering with spine problems, anxiety disorders, fibromyalgia, and really anyone that seeks a sense of inner peace and wellness.  He is not suggesting that Tai Chi is a cure for these types of ailments, only that it acts as a concierge to a life with little or no medication.

More people are becoming conscience of long-term side effects caused by prescription medications, and a vast number are looking for ways to stop taking them. Integrated medicine uses modern medicine and ancient arts such as Tai Chi to not only treat the ailment, but heal the mind, body and spirit.

“You do not have to be in shape to learn Tai Chi; it's zero impact with slow and low movements suited for anyone. Also, if you wanted to learn the essence of all martial arts, Tai Chi is where you would go.” he explained.

Haidinger teaches Tai Chi for the purpose of wellness. He has become a dedicated professional who is certified through The Health Preservation Association, and a member of the American Tai Chi and Qigong Association. He gives beginner through advanced Tai Chi classes a few times a week at the neatly tucked away studio on north Main. He encourages anyone that would like to learn to visit the website at www.concho-yoga.com.