By Caroline Hatfield (Tai Chi/Qigong Instructor Certified by American Tai Chi & Qigong Association)
Living With Autism and Schizophrenia
I never expected ancient practices like Tai Chi to change my life so profoundly. Living with mild autism and schizophrenia meant facing psychosis, homelessness, and overwhelming disconnection. But this internal art gave me something I never thought I’d find—peace, confidence, and purpose.
Discovering Tai Chi as My Lifeline
At first, Tai Chi was just a way to quit smoking. But from the very first session, I felt my breath slowing, my body releasing tension, and my mind finding clarity. Tai Chi wasn’t just movement — it was stillness in motion, balance amid chaos. For someone who had always felt unmoored, it was nothing short of miraculous.
Schizophrenia often left me feeling detached, as though I couldn’t “get home.” Psychosis added trauma that lingered long after episodes ended.
Tai Chi grounded me.
It taught me how to root into the earth, to breathe deeply, and to trust my body again. Five weeks later, I quit smoking—but more importantly, I began to feel whole.
Through steady practice, I discovered:
- Calm and stillness within chaos
- Relief from stress and anxiety
- A flow of energy I’d never known
- Greater clarity in daily life
- Strengthened resilience and immunity
These practices didn’t cure me, but they helped me manage both autism and schizophrenia. They gave me the tools to reclaim my life.
Finding My Voice and Purpose
With my teacher’s encouragement, I began to speak publicly, first at National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) meetings. Sharing my story gave hope to families and peers, and I realized teaching could be my purpose. Later, I led a self-esteem workshop for people living with mental illness. My peers called me “grace under fire,” a name that still warms my heart.
Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Science
What I experienced personally, science now confirms: Tai Chi reduces symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD; improves cardiovascular and neurological health; and increases mindfulness. They are more than exercise — they are medicine for body and soul.
Healing as a Lifelong Journey
Healing, I’ve learned, is not a destination but a journey. Tai Chi continues to guide me, helping me grow and find clarity. My scars have become my teachers, and my practice my compass.
If you are struggling—or even if you are not—I encourage you to explore Tai Chi. They may give you the same gift they gave me: a way to transform chaos into clarity, and suffering into strength.
Caroline is a Level III (the 2nd highest level) Tai Chi/Qigong instructor certified by American Tai Chi and Qigong Association (ATCQA). She is the author of “Grounding Schizophrenia Through Tai Chi,” published by NAMI, and of “Healing Asperger’s Through Qigong,” published by Autism Asperger’s Sensory Digest, and which, with a name change, is now published as “How Qi Heals” by Qi Journal. Caroline is the contributing/collaborating author for Secrets of Self-Esteem by Shirley J. Mangini, M.A., M.F.T., available on Amazon.
