Goodbye to Insomia

by Andy Yeo
(Singapore)

This is my story about how Tai Chi helped me sleep better and stopped my insomnia. I cannot even remember when was the last time I'd really slept well. Work is stressful as usual, working late nights and even on weekends. The lack of good sleep made me fatigue and restless.

My wife suggested to me to take up a Tai Chi class. I laughed and replied that Tai chi is only for old men and women because it is so slow. My wife wanted to bet $50 with me that I couldn't finish one whole Tai Chi course. I accepted the bet but deep in my heart I felt that this is a piece of cake and it's a sure win.

So, off I went to register for the Tai Chi Yang Style Simplified 24 Forms. The first lesson was 2 days later.

2 days later at 8pm, I was at the rooftop of the Community Centre for the 1st lesson on Tai Chi. There were about 32 students; age ranging from 30s to 60s. The master was a woman in her late thirties. She started with the warm-ups which to me was chicken feet. After which came the Tai Chi movements starting with the "Gong Bu" (attack step). This movement was practised 30 times. The muscles in my leg was starting to get tired after doing the 30 times.

Then the Master continued to teach the first 3 forms of the Yang Style Simplified 24 Forms. The first form was very easy, just raising your hands to shoulder level and then lowering your hands down to waist level.

I couldn't perform the second and third forms right even though the master taught us in small steps. She told us that we need to go back and practise.

Time passed very quickly and soon it was the end of the 1st lesson. I went home, still perspiring from the practice of the first 3 forms.

After I reached home, I took a bath and went to bed. Within 5 minutes, I fell asleep and I slept like a log throughout the night. The next morning, I felt so refreshed and I now realized that Tai Chi is the reason for it. The following nights I did not sleep well again and I felt like a zombie the next morning.

A week passed and I was again at the rooftop for my 2nd lesson of Tai Chi. The warm-up and the "Gong Bu" movements once again made my leg muscles sore. After which came the practice of the 1st 3 forms which I had completely forgotten as I did not practice at all. It was embarrassing! I decided there and then that I will practise everyday after today.

The master taught us the 1st 3 forms from scratch again. This time I put in all my efforts to learn. Time flies and the 2nd lesson was over.
Once again, I slept so well that night and woke up refreshed! I begun to practise everyday and till now it's been 4 years.

My health had been great these few years, hardly ever been sick. My leg muscles are much stronger and my balance had improved. Needless to say, I never had insomia.

As for the bet, you know who won.