Peter Wayne, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in Medicine and Director of Tai Chi and Mind-Body Research Programs in Harvard Medical School's Division for Research and Education in Complementary and Integrative Medical Therapies.
His current research focuses on evaluating how Tai Chi, Qigong, and related mind-body practices clinically impact a variety of health conditions (osteoporosis, balance impairment, heart failure, pulmonary disease), and understanding the physiological, mechanical, and psychological mechanisms underlying mind-body practices' therapeutic effects. Peter also has more than 30 years of training experience in Tai Chi and Qigong, and is an internationally recognized teacher of these practices.

Abstract

Tai Chi as a mind-body intervention for rehabilitation: Clinical evidence and underlying mechanisms.

T’ai Chi, also referred to as Taiji, T’ai Chi Chuan, or Taijiquan, is a mind–body exercise that originated in China, and that is growing in popularity in the West. T’ai Chi is a complex multi-component intervention, combining slow integrated movements, with breathing and a variety of cognitive tools (e.g. focused attention, imagery). It has been hypothesized that T’ai Chi’s multi-component nature, which impacts and integrates multiple physiological systems, makes it particularly effective as a therapeutic intervention for the prevention and rehabilitation of a wide variety of medical conditions. However, T’ai Chi’s complexity also poses challenges for the clinical evaluation of its efficacy, as well as for basic research exploring the physiological and biomechanical mechanisms associated with therapeutic changes. This presentation will begin with a broad overview of the state of T’ai Chi research, and summarize unique methodological challenges associated with its study. It will then draw on recent studies at the Harvard Medical School centered on evaluating Tai Chi for neuromusculoskeletal health and postural control to illustrate how methodological challenges can be overcome, and the clinical and mechanistic insights they afford. The presentation will include a discussion of the value of a systems-based translational approach, and will conclude with suggestions for future research.

Abstract

Mind-Body Skills and Health Care Education--Self Care Begets Better Patient Care

Social-electronic connections in the 21st century reflect the “noosphere” or global eco-mind-space envisioned by Teilhard de Chardin over half a century ago. Our interactivity is now often through media such a Twitter, texting, cell phones, Facebook, Google, e-mail, blogs, and You Tube creating a web of consciousness de Chardin could scarcely have envisioned. Such communications may not promote the emotional intelligence so necessary to effective health care encounters. Healthcare professional schools have traditionally been challenged in addressing the roles of emotions in training. The result is a systemically reinforced alexithymia, a term used to describe people who have difficulties recognizing, processing, and regulating emotions. Such is not an ideal portrait of a patient-centered, empathic, caring health professional. Solving this problem in training is challenging. Students don't "sign on" to be analyzed or for depth psychotherapy. Yet they vitally need to be in touch with how their own feelings are valuable diagnostic radar and recognize how emotions impact patient interactions. Moving learners from their electronic cyber-world relationships to being skilled health professionals is a curricular opportunity. Some approaches are introduction of mindfulness into medical education, of teaching mind-body therapies for self-care and patient care by regularly implementing emotional/bio-behavioral assessments and therapies. These methods validate the emotional intelligence of our learners and respect their developmental levels. They also will provide a breakthrough in healthcare education by helping to enhance competencies related to empathy, patient-centeredness, mindful practice, self care, and professionalism.

Dr. Dahong Zhuo is a medical doctor and  currently a professor of rehabilitation medicine at the Sun Yat-sen University (SYU) ,Guangzhou ,China. Since 1984 Prof. Dahong Zhuo has been a member of the Expert Advisory Panel on Rehabilitation of the World Health Organization(WHO) , and a director of WHO Collaborating Centre for Rehabilitation (located at SYU, China). He is the vice president of the Chinese Association of Rehabilitation for People with Disability, and the editor-in-chief of the Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. Prof. Zhuo is also currently an honorary professor of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
In his long service as a physician and medical educator, Prof. Zhuo’s major academic interest has been in medical rehabilitation and health promotion, especially combining the western and the oriental methods. He has published numerous textbooks, monographs and scientific articles. Among them, his “Chinese Exercise Book for Health and Longevity” has been translated into seven languages and published worldwide.

Abstract

New Concept on Health Promotion through Holistic Physical, Mental, Spiritual and Social Functioning

Both of the following statements are basically correct:“A sound mind in a sound body,” and“A sound mind for a sound body .” According to the Chinese wisdom on health promotion, the body and the mind are interacted closely with each other. Now it is clearly shown by scientific evidence that physical exercise is not only the exercise for muscles and joints, but also for the brain and the mind. Meanwhile, keeping a good mental health will bring many benefits to the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular, cerebrovascular diseases and autonomous nervous system disorders. When the East meets with the West in the promodtion of a good body-mind health, the Chinese style physical and mental exercise such as Tai Chi, Chi Kung, Ba Duan Jin, Yi Jin Jing and meditation are treasured by many people, in addition to the western style sports.

Furthermore, recent studies have revealed that, linking with the body-mind health, the community-based social and cultural group activities are essential to the spiritual and social well-being of the middle-aged and the elderly. Thus, the policy and the strategy for the support and promotion of this kind of health-oriented social and cultural activities should be of importance.

Professor Poon Chung-kwong, currently President Emeritus of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, was retired from the Presidency of the Institution after 18 years of distinguished service in January 2009.
Devoted to social and community services, Professor Poon has chaired or been a member of numerous committees, including: appointed Legislative Council member; Founding Chairman of the Government's Committee on Science and Technology; Chairman of Veterinary Surgeons Board; member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference since 1998.
Professor Poon was appointed a Non-official Justice of the Peace (JP) in 1989; received the OBE award in 1991, the Gold Bauhinia Star (GBS) award in 2002 and also the “Leader of the Year Awards 2008 (Education)”. He was awarded the Honorary Doctorate Degree in Humanity by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 2009.

Abstract

How to Cultivate a Satisfying Life with Ease in the Mind

Happiness is a matter of personal feeling, despite some contribute it to fame and wealth, some are contented to have basic needs fulfilled, there is always higher purpose of fulfillment besides material pursuance. Deep down in the heart, everyone yearns for a satisfying life with ease in the mind.;

Professor Poon will explore the topic from the perspective of traditional Chinese culture, including Buddhism and Daoism, and show us how to achieve it through daily life practices.

It shows that Buddhism is not superstition; it is a faith beyond science and is positive in life.

潘宗光教授 GBS, PhD, DSc, JP

Dr. Rainbow Ho, PhD, BC-DMT, CMA, is Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work and Social Administration, Director of the Master Program in Behavioral Health, the University of Hong Kong, has degrees in Biology, Anatomy, and Social Work and Social Administration, professional diplomas in arts (dance) and movement analysis, and pedagogy of classical ballet and somatic movement.  She is a registered dance teacher (Ballet, Ballroom, Latin-American dance), dance/movement psychotherapist, movement analyst, and medical technologist.  Dr. Ho has extensive research experience in molecular biology and clinical immunology.  She also works with cancer patients, persons with mental and emotional issues, sexual abuse survivors and earthquake survivors for their rehabilitation.  Her current research interests include psycho-oncology, psychoneuroimmunology, mind-body interventions, dance/movement therapy, creative arts therapies, and non-verbal communications in psychotherapy.  

Dr. Ho has been actively participating in promoting physical exercises, dance activities, and healthy life style in recent years.  She has been appointed as the Healthy Exercises Ambassador by the Hong Kong’s Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Education Bureau, and the Department of Health since 2002, the Advisory Committee and Internal Validation Committee of the Master Program (Dance) of the Hong Kong Academy of Performance Arts, and the Grant Reviewer and Project Reviewer of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council.

Abstract

Health and Wellness

The Chinese has over five thousand years of experiences in pursuing longevity and wellness of life, using approaches that emphasize both physical and mental health. Even with the treatment of diseases, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) never attends to physical and mental entities separately as they are considered a unified whole for holistic wellbeing. However, the question on how mind, body and spirit interact with each other had remained rather mystical in the past with a scarcity of empirical research, and not until recently has new lights been shed on this area with the bloom of evidence drawing form studies in neuropsychology, psychoneuroimmunology and molecular genetics.

Contemporary neuroimaging technology illuminates the relationship between brain activity and behaviours; research in psychoneuroendocrinology and psychoneuroimmunology elucidates the impact of psychological phenomena on hormonal balance and body immunity; while molecular biology studies demonstrate the effect of mental status on genetic changes. An impressive array of new evidence is now available to support and vindicate that the mind and the body contribute equally to health and wellness. With this growing body of knowledge, there is an imperative need to reconsider how we, as healthcare professionals, can work with our clients from both aspects; what we, as educators, can do to enhance public awareness on this regards; and what we, as researchers, can do to enrich knowledge and understanding in this area. Ultimately and most importantly, how we, as human beings who assume multiple roles throughout our lives, can adequately balance ourselves in all aspects pertaining to holistic wellbeing.