Photo by Jessica Larsen
Brice Wilkinson practicing Tai Chi in the park. |
by JESSICA LARSEN
While the average healing time for a triple bypass surgery patient is 6 to 12 weeks, one Winona man has proven stronger than doctors expected.
Brice Wilkinson – also known as the voice of the Warriors for announcing Winona State University sports games since 1971 – had triple bypass surgery on April 3 and was back teaching his Tai Chi and Qigong classes the day after he was released from the hospital.
“I give 100 percent credit to Tai Chi and Qigong for my recovery,” said Wilkinson. “I’m doing things that others said would kill me.”
At 74 years old, Wilkinson has been practicing Tai Chi and Qigong every day for 30 years. Wilkinson teaches Tai Chi and Qigong classes at the YMCA, the Yoga Center and Winona Health every week.
Wilkinson said he had no hesitations about continuing his classes the day after his hospital release.
“A lot of people think it’s dangerous and that I’m playing with life,” said Wilkinson. “But they haven’t been doing Tai Chi for 30 years.”
Although Wilkinson said he cannot scientifically prove that Tai Chi and Qigong have kept him healthier, he said he has not had the flu virus in 30 years and has rarely had the cold virus. He also said he has been to the hospital only two other times, once being in high school.
Carson Lentz, a farmer and student in Wilkinson’s Tai Chi and Qigong class at the YMCA, said he takes the classes for health reasons as well.
“I know it relaxes me. I don’t feel the tension I used to from farming,” said Lentz.
Lentz helps lead the YMCA classes sometimes as Wilkinson observes the form of his students.
Wilkinson said it takes a lifetime to perfect the form; you cannot take one workshop and think you are a master. But if you continue the form, he said, you will have fewer illnesses with less severity and you will be healthier.
“Tai Chi defies the laws of aging,” said Wilkinson. “I am awake and busy 12 to 18 hours a day, which I was never able to do before I started Tai Chi.”
In the future, Wilkinson plans to keep announcing sports games at WSU and at Cotter High School. He also plans to promote Tai Chi and Qigong as much as possible. Wilkinson wants to encourage the universities in town to have Tai Chi as a major for students so that they may learn and lead a healthy life as he has.
“I am the silver bullet,” said Wilkinson. “I am a walking miracle.”
To join one of Wilkinson’s Tai Chi and Qigong classes, show up at one of the lessons. The first one is free and if you decide to continue, it is $30 per month. For lesson times, call the YMCA at 507-454-1520.
|
