Glenda Hesseltine, M.A., entered the world of Tai Chi through the “back-door” of her own health breakdown.
Glenda Hesseltine, M.A., entered the world of Tai Chi through the “back-door” of her own health breakdown.
Unmanaged chronic stress levels finally resulted in adrenal dysfunction to the point of what is now termed “the near death experience.” At one point in her life, Glenda weighed less than 100 pounds and was unable to keep any food down. One day, her breathing mysteriously stopped completely, and she experienced what is now commonly referred to as an “out of body experience.” She eventually recovered from this strange and startling experience, but with no help from traditional Western medicine.
In fact, Western medicine had no explanation nor remedy for her steady decline. Experiencing the chronic pain of severe fibromyalgia, hypoglycemia, Epstein-Barr, CFS, insomnia, IBS, chronic edema, and migraine headaches, Glenda was soon removed from her formerly very active life and was mostly bedridden until examined by a visiting Chinese physician named Dr. Sau-Wa Chan.
The unorthodox methods of traditional Chinese medicine practiced by Dr. Chan produced an immediate, almost miraculous result and Glenda recovered enough to begin her 7 year training in Tai Chi Chuan with Dr. Chan, who was at that time a 40-year Tai Chi practitioner and teaching physician from China. In the beginning of the training, Dr. Chan spoke almost no English. Glenda learned anyway. She had to. Her life depended upon it.
Ultimately Glenda became symptom free and began to teach other westerners the unique healing techniques she had learned from Dr. Chan, resulting in a 19 year career as a Tai Chi teacher that culminated recently in seven years as a health educator and stress-reduction teacher for Kaiser Permanente in the Central Valley of California.
There is some irony in the fact that the woman who was once bedridden with chronic pain and weakness became the teacher of those who suffered with the very same condition.
Eventually, with the help of Dr. Paul Lam, who certified Glenda in Tai Chi for Arthritis, “Tai Chi as a Prescription” became a reality in her community. Over 5000 students went through Glenda’s stress-reduction training program in a 12 year period, learning to lower their blood pressure naturally without drugs, regain their balance, strengthen muscles, protect joints, reduce pain, improve sleeping habits, breathe better, calm their minds, and reduce stress levels overall.
Consequently, Glenda has worked with all ages and all kinds of people, with many different conditions and health challenges.
One student, Geri Bagby, made the Kaiser newsletter headlines with her ability to use Tai Chi breathing and relaxation techniques instead of anesthetic when having three different surgeries. Geri’s allergic reaction to traditional anesthetics had previously prevented her from having the necessary surgeries. With Tai Chi breathing she successfully completed the procedures.
Several other students in the Tai Chi classes with Glenda learned how to lower their blood pressure, often as much as 40 points in five minutes. One student increased his breathing capacity despite Lou Gehrig’s disease. There are no guarantees with Tai Chi, because each individual is unique, but there is one common claim: all who practice Tai Chi faithfully will benefit in some way.
With a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology specializing in guided imagery of Psychosynthesis, Glenda often includes visualization and “gold light meditation” in her teaching and practice.
Certified by Dr. Paul Lam in two levels of Tai Chi for Arthritis as well as Tai Chi for Diabetes, and recognized by the American Arthritis Foundation, she addresses chronic pain management through acupressure techniques and strengthening of joints and muscles.
She also worked for three years as the Tai Chi teacher for an innovative drug rehabilitation program that used acupuncture, Tai Chi and herbs in helping addicts recover. She worked another three years in the pioneer program “Wellness Works”, which encouraged participants to leave welfare and return to work using Tai Chi and Yoga as stress-reduction training. Both programs were highly successful.
In addition to Yang Style and Sun Style Tai Chi, she is trained in Shibashi Chi Kung, Swimming Dragon Tai Chi, breathing techniques, body scanning, visualization, gold-light meditation, T.M., Centering Prayer, and acupressure massage.
Although she is formally educated and certified in Tai Chi and Chi Gong healing work, Glenda says her best credentials are her life experience and her own recovery from illness once considered hopeless.
Learning to activate the “healer within” restored her health and vitality, and she has dedicated her life to sharing that knowledge with others. The practice and teaching of Tai Chi continues to be the passion of her life.
She now lives in northern California near her grandchildren and is currently engaged in Life Coaching (Prime Force Life Coaching), teaching Tai Chi for Kids, and conducting stress-reduction training and healing classes for adults.
She is available for private lessons, individual coaching sessions, and public speaking engagements.