Motorcycle enthusiast uses energy healing meditation to cope with Parkinson’s disease
Thursday, 29 March 2012
Motorcycle enthusiast uses energy healing meditation to cope with Parkinson's disease.
Throughout his life, Jeff Weikert has been a fan of racing, from motorcycles to cars. When he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2009 at the age of 50, he knew he had to squeeze in as much racing as possible before it was too late. To help him along the way, he's using the energy healing meditation of tai chi to maintain his health.
The next stop for the Iowa native is July's Race to the Clouds in Colorado, where he will be racing his Honda 250cc Cheney-framed bike.
"He is working with a physical therapist to work on his muscles and get ready for the race," Weikert's wife, Angie, explained to The Hawk Eye. "He also started doing tai chi, which is supposed to help with muscle coordination."
Additionally, Weikert is using the race as an opportunity to raise $10,000 for the Michael J. Fox Foundation. As of March 27, he had raised $1,360.
In the U.S., between 50,000 and 60,000 individuals are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease every year, according to the National Parkinson Foundation. Studies have shown that tai chi can help patients cope with some of their symptoms, which include involuntary tremors and muscle movements.
If any patients want to find out more about what these exercises can do for them, they should look for a studio that hosts Dahn Yoga and tai chi classes.
