Benefits of Tai Chi for Your Health

Benefits of Doing Tai Chi Daily

     Tai chi is often described as meditation in movement, and may also be known as medicine in movement. There is strong evidence that these mind-body exercises, which originated in China as a martial art, have value in treating or preventing many health problems. You can start even if you are not in top shape, or good health qualities.

In this healthy impact slow-motion exercise, you are left without stopping to perform a collection of movements named, for animal movements — for example, "white stork spreads its wings" — or martial arts moves, such as "plug in ears."

When you move, you breathe deeply and naturally, focusing your attention — as in some types of meditation — on your bodily sensations.

Tai chi differs from other types of practice in many ways. Movements are usually round and never forced, muscles are more comfortable and less strained, joints are not stretched or fully flexed, and connective tissue is not stretched.

Tai chi can be easily practiced by anyone, from the healthiest to people who use a wheelchair, or are recovering from surgery.

Tai chi is characterized by its slow, graceful, relentless movements, and light on joints and muscles.

When done properly, you will find that the tai chi poses flow easily from one to the other. Many of the movements are done with the knees bent in a position like a squat.

Tai Chi Definition

Tai chi is a historical Chinese culture, which today, is practiced as a graceful structure of the exercise. It involves a sequence of movements that are performed slowly, focused and accompanied by deep breathing.

Tai chi, also known as tai chi chuan, is a non-competitive, self-sustaining system of light physical exercise and stretching. Each posture flows into the next without a break, ensuring that your body is constantly in motion.

Tai chi has many unique styles. Each style can also subtly emphasize different tai chi concepts and methods. There are versions in each style. Some styles may also focus on the maintenance of health, while others focus on the martial arts factor of tai chi.

Tai chi is different from yoga, another kind of meditation. Yoga is made up of various physical postures and breathing techniques, along with meditation.

Tai Chi Brief History

The true origins of tai chi continue to be a mystery, but the concept has its roots in Chinese history, Taoism, and Confucianism.

Zhang Sanfeng, a 12th-century Taoist monk, is believed to have been the founder of tai chi. Some stories state that Zhang Sanfeng left his monastery to become an ascetic, after which he created a form of fighting based on gentleness.

The Benefits of Tai Chi

In recent years, studies have shown that doing tai chi may also be beneficial for people with certain health conditions. Here are some of the main findings from the available research on tai chi, and their health benefits:

Stress relief

The breathing, movement, and mental awareness that people who practice Tai Chi require are the best distractions from their stressful lifestyle. The mind-body connection is also important here, as it has been mentioned that breathing combined with body movement and eye-hand coordination promotes calm.

Preventing Falls in the Elderly

Tai chi may also help older adults improve their stability and prevent falls, according to a research review published in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society.

In their evaluation of 10 studies conducted previously, the authors said that tai chi practice for 12 to 26 weeks, one to three times a week, reduced the incidence of falls by 43% (compared to other interventions) in those who had been followed for 12 months or less. .

The power of thinking:

A study of 31 adults found that people who practiced tai chi for 12 weeks were more able to handle tasks than those who didn't. They also had extra activity in the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for higher-order thinking skills.

Strength and Endurance

Tai Chi has been confirmed to be an exercise with significant benefits in the areas of balance, upper and lower body muscle energy and endurance, and upper and lower body flexibility, especially in older adults.. (Harvard.edu) In one study, people in their 60s and 70s practiced Tai Chi three times weekly for 12 weeks. They also conducted a myriad of physical fitness tests to measure balance, muscle strength, endurance and flexibility before and after 12 weeks.

After six weeks, statistically significant improvements were found in balance, muscle strength, endurance and flexibility measures. Improvements in each of these areas were extended after 12 weeks.

Benefits Of Tai Chi for Mental Health

Many studies say that the benefits of qi gong and tai chi include:

- Better mood

- Sleep more soundly

- Rest more fully

- Boosts physical energy

- More clear and focus

- Relieves depression, stress and anxiety

Tai chi features a series of movements that help you relieve tension in your back and focus on the flow from one movement to another.

You can't make a grocery list when you practice tai chi, but it does create the benefits of quick meditation.

Qi gong gives you this advantage, and approves of you being the center of attention in character testing. It uses a strategy of breathing, movement, and exhalation, to let go of a traumatic idea or situation.

Although qi gong is useful for certain situations or characters, qi gong can also be used to reduce daily stress.

Summary

Tai chi is a low-impact, non-competitive martial art that is known for its potential health benefits.

Researchers have carried out many studies on tai chi to understand its health benefits.

Some studies show that tai chi can improve brain function, reduce stress and depression, and minimize chronic pain.

However, scientists should do more research to confirm its benefits.

Older people who want to start practicing tai chi should consult their doctor first.