I stumbled on three articles
about Tai Chi this last week, which must be an omen, don’t you think? My only exposure to Tai Chi has been in the
form of a video exercise tape and I can remember thinking that it was too
difficult for me, but after reading further I am thinking that I just picked a
lesson that was too advanced. I do not
have a natural sense of rhythm so I discourage easily if coordinating hand and
foot movements are required.
Tai Chi, I’ve discovered, is
not just a granny martial arts form.
Studies show that Tai Chi is good at any age, so unwrinkled your noses
and let’s start looking at the big picture.
Exercise for people over fifty changes focus points. You are no longer just thinking about
six-pack abs and a tight backside.
Instead you find yourself struggling to boost your heart health, relieve
pain, reduce stress, improve balance and strengthen bones.
Tai Chi is a series of slow,
relaxed, and gentle movements but it still addresses the key components of
fitness (muscle strength, flexibility, balance and aerobic conditioning). It is, they say, the perfect activity for the
rest of your life. Best of all is the
news that you can jump right in, even if you aren’t in the best of health or
the best of shape. Tai Chi is a
low-impact, slow motion exercise. You go
through a series of motions that are named after animal actions or martial arts
moves.
The movements are circular
and never forced. The muscles are
relaxed, not tensed. The joints are
neither fully extended nor bent and the connective tissue is not
stretched. That doesn’t sound like your
usual exercises at all does it?
A class will include a
gentle warm-up to loosen your muscles and joints while focusing on your
breathing and your body. The forms (sets
of movements) may include as few as a dozen movements in a short form or as many
as several hundred in a long form. The
short form uses smaller, slower movements and is recommended for beginners and
seniors.
At our age bone density is a
big factor. Studies show that those who
practice Tai Chi have stronger bones, and because it is a low-impact exercise
there is a lower risk of injury than with other forms of exercise. Balance and fear of falling is another huge
issue as we get older. I have already
noticed that my balance isn’t quite what it used to be and I find this rather
frightening. Proprioception (the ability
to sense the position of one’s body in space) decreases with age. Tai Chi is one way to help you re-train this
sense. Studies show that even people who
have had strokes can regain some of the balance loss by practicing Tai
Chi. Tai Chi done on a regular basis can
reduce the risk of falls and subsequent injury.
I know, you don’t think you
are ready for this kind of preventive exercise yet, but if you also factor in
improved circulation, flexibility, posture, blood pressure, stress reduction
and osteoporosis prevention it might not be such a bad idea. You don’t have to run 4 miles every day or
kill yourself doing a spin class in order to reap some rewards. Besides it looks kind of cool and I am almost
certain that are some cute yoga/tai chi outfits to indulge your fashion
sense. I am thinking that I will give
Tai Chi another try. It is probably one
of the only exercises that I indulge in that doesn’t make me hurt
somewhere. Are you ready to join me?
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