Tai Chi is an ancient system of exercise for balancing the body and mind. Tai Chi is a noncompetitive, self-paced
system of gentle exercise. If you are trying to improve your general health, you may find tai chi helpful. Tai Chi is
generally safe for people of all ages and levels of fitness. Medical studies have shown that tai chi for older adults
can improve balance and reduce the risk of falls. Because the movements are low impact and put minimal stress on
your muscles and joints, tai chi is appealing to many older adults.
Tai Chi offers both mental and physical benefits:
Relieve stress, improve definition and muscle strength, increase feelings of well being, increase stamina, energy
and agility, decrease blood pressure, increase flexibility, improve balance and coordination. Because tai chi is very
old, it hasn’t been studied scientifically until recently. Preliminary research shows that practicing tai chi regularly may
also: increase bone mineral density, improve physical functioning in older adults for more ease in dressing to
increased comfort in climbing stairs, improve blood circulation in the legs, and reduce anxiety and depression.
The Chinese have known the benefits of Tai Chi Chuan-Grand Ultimate Force-as health maintenance since 2645BC.
For centuries the practice has been an integral part of daily life in Eastern cultures.
By mastering movements, and breathing, with Tai Chi, older adults can regain a sense of identity and self worth.
The whole philosophy of Tai Chi differs vastly from how Westerners think of exercise. If you are on the treadmill, you
usually have a TV in front of you or headphones on. You are not participating in the movement of your body.
The Chinese believe that if the mind is not involved your body is not really exercising. There is a great benefit from
coordinating the mind with the body. Tai Chi teaches movement from the hips. It is rooted in the feet, directed by the
waist, and expressed through the hands. It takes great mental participation.
The metaphysical aspect of Tai Chi distinguishes it from other forms of exercise. To understand Tai Chi you must
begin with the principle of Yin and Yang. Yin, the feminine life force, is yielding and flexible, while the Yang is
masculine life force, aggressive and strong.
These two forces are contained in the human body, paralleling nature. Tai Chi seeks to reconcile Yin and Yang, to
achieve a balance of hardness and softness.
A young person has strong Chi, and old man has weak Chi. If you practice Tai Chi well, you will have the vitality of a
young person. When practicing Tai Chi, you must learn to coordinate deep breathing with slow movement of various
parts of your body-muscles, bones and joints. At the same time you must try to clear your mind of distractions and
concentrate on the movements.
BENEFITS OF TAI CHI EXERCISE:
Movements are gentle Relaxation, both mental and physical Separation of Yin and Yang by shifting weight from side
to side, thus improving balance and strengthening the lower extremities Postural control is achieved by maintaining a
straight back while moving flexibility due to waist turning, which involves trunk rotation and coordination of the arms
and legs, and involves moving in a fluid manner.
OTHER AREAS WHERE TAI CHI HAS PROVEN EFFECTIVE INCLUDE THE TREATMENT OF:
Arthritis
Rheumatism
Weight management
Back problems
High blood pressure
Stress reduction
Lung capacity
