Written in an enjoyable, humorous and clever combination of simplicity, knowledge and ancient customs of Tai Chi terms, author Dr. Maurice R. Olfus has created an admirable book to help older people regain a healthier blood-sugar level in order to control and combat diabetes. The best part of these exercises is they can be done while sitting in a chair! Following the many illustrated exercises along with the deep breathing and mental focus, participants will find over a twelve-week period their health will be noticeably improved.
Dr. Maurice R. Olfus begins with setting up a scenario in where two smart scientists are confronting a malevolent General Diabetes by explaining to Dr. B. Better how to instruct Randy Tai Chi and his Amazing Grandmother on methods to improve their health. In the book Dr. B. Better says, "Now, let's mindfully think. What kind of exercise can the Amazing Grandma do to help her get stronger without having to stand for a long time?"
This begins an illustrated exercise program involving deep breathing, torso movements, hand & arm movements and leg movements, all while sitting upright on the front third of a chair. These sorts of exercises can be done individually or in a group, in a retirement home or by oneself. With an understanding of Tai Chi gained by a consensus of bibliographical publications, along with the credentials of the author's mastery of the techniques, the explanations and descriptions are very well conveyed to the readers. Humor and light-hearted names are given to help bring the movements into a meditative mode for the readers who by now should be following the instructions and doing the exercises.
It all is blended together in an interesting and entertaining way, as Randy Tai Chi Manages General Diabetes is intended to improve the health of all readers. It is an ideal book for those facing the devastating symptoms of out-of-control blood sugar, while becoming the first step to enhancing their necessary exercise programs. For those who master these techniques, it would seem logical to move forward to doing standing Tai Chi exercises, and perhaps Dr. Maurice R. Olfus will enlighten his reading audience on how best to continue getting stronger. Whether or not that happens, this is the first step and it is the most important. This book is a must for all folks who need to add exercise to their sedentary lifestyle.
—Pacific Book Review
"Today, in the town of Gratefulness, meek, mild-mannered, ten-year-old Randy practiced his Tai Chi in the security of his backyard."
A very perceptive youngster has the necessary skills to help his grandmother in this colorfully illustrated children's book. When Randy Tai Chi saves his baby sister from eating "chocolate" (actually dog poo) using agile tai chi moves, he earns the status of "master of the mindful movements and awareness." Then he accompanies Amazing Grandma to a visit with her physician, Dr. B. Better, offering a suggestion for the treatment of her diabetes: tai chi exercises to correct her posture, strength, and balance. Unbeknownst to them, the villain General Diabetes is stalking them, getting increasingly angry because he’d hoped the disease would make the world a terrible place. Randy demonstrates ten tai chi exercises with Amazing Grandma next to him imitating his moves. Amazing Grandma's condition improves, and General Diabetes's evil scheme is thwarted.
Olfus is a tai chi teacher who has co-authored a book on the subject. His plan for another adventure with young Randy—this time confronting Dr. Depression—clearly indicates his wish to reach out to young people and the adults in their families with important information, including scientific data, about the efficacy of the tai chi methodology. The exercises are depicted here in large, cartoon fashion, in a manner that will appeal to older children, showing them not only how to do the movements but how to teach them to others. The names given to the exercises are fanciful, again targeted to the youthful sense of humor, with examples being, "Repulse the Monkey Right and Left: To Use In Case There's an Angry Monkey in Your Closet" and "Waves Hands Like Clouds Right and Left: It Is Almost Like Flying." The book also contains footnotes and references for those seeking further corroboration of the beneficial physical and mental effects of tai chi. RECOMMENDED
—The US Review of Books
