April 2006 Newspaper Article

 

You don’t have to believe in miracles to see miraculous improvement in people’s health. Golden Breath American Tai Chi is being practiced by thousands of people on both coasts of the country and making a major difference in the quality of life for people who have chronic illnesses.

Their headquarters, located at 1928 Cottman Avenue, runs classes five times a week giving people the flexibility to practice as a group and learn the beautiful dance-like movements.

SiBok Robert Kassof, a former 20 year resident of the Northeast, is the man who created this new form of tai chi, an ancient art of the Chinese people. Although tai chi is over 1,000 years old, this new system that the SiBok developed thirty years ago is different. Where other systems focus on the body from the waist down, Golden Breath’s focus is on the upper body system—and primarily breathing.

Those who have been practicing Golden Breath for years give testimonials to the way it has changed their ability to live.  On their website, www.Goldenbreath.com, you can click into numerous testimonials from people from every walk of life, from professionals, business owners, and clergy people.

In addition to those listed, some of the people who are available for you to interview include:

Karen Green, owner, Lioness Jewelers with stores in Jeweler’s Row in Center City and Booth Corners – She was diagnosed with  cervical torsion dystonia of the neck  11 years ago.  Her neurologist said that she had an incurable progressive brain disorder that in time would leave her totally debilitated. She now teaches this system and has excellent health.

Scott Newman, 39, a Northeast Resident and Customer Service Specialist. He was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 20 years ago. When he first started Golden Breath he came with a cane to balance himself. Now, he is able to walk without any assistance and has an excellent quality of life allowing him to work full time without problems. His doctors are amazed by the lack of deterioration on his MRI’s each year when he takes them.

Tom Cummins 27, a Mayfair resident, was born with scoliosis. He always had ongoing pain. In childhood, he had 2 Herrington rods implanted in his back to help stop the curvature from getting worse and saved him from dying. But he still had extreme pain growing up. He tried everything to reduce pain including prescription pain killers, but nothing worked. Being disabled also stopped his confidence leading a normal life causing depression. He started Golden Breath six years ago and now can live without daily pain. His flexibility and mobility has increased 10 fold. For Tom, it helps with balance and coordination. It also helps regulate emotions and keep a level head through daily life and gave him confidence to do anything if he believes in himself.
  
Tai chi won’t cure diseases, but it does help manage and improve them by reducing the symptoms. It also spares you the indignities of the symptoms and the limitations from the disease.

On the website, you’ll see testimonials from people with Parkinson’s disease, Rheumatory Arthritis, and other chronic problems. 

In addition to learning tai chi, a number of Robert’s students believe in helping the community in need. Each week, his students volunteer at Philadelphia Fights and Siloam, two centers for AIDS patients.