June 30, 2020

Benefits of Tai Chi

Hey Everybody! Over the last few weeks there has been lots of discussion about fitness routines with quarantine and social distancing. It is a change, but it doesn’t have to be a roadblock – we simply need to think “inside the box.” (Ha! See what I did there?) Yes, it is more challenging, it’s not what we are used to – but there is almost nothing better for our brains and bodies than to change things up! 

“But Michelle, I hate change. I’m not very good at (blank). I don’t think I can do (blank).” Yeah, yeah I have heard it all before (maybe those thoughts even spent a moment in my head).

I know you are already taking advantage of our virtual events (including with ME, five days a week). But maybe you want a bit more.

Tai Chi is an ancient martial art form from China and today it is practiced worldwide – 195 countries can’t be wrong. Tai Chi (we could call it Mediation in Motion) offers a multitude of health benefits, including increasing upper and lower body flexibility and strength and improving balance (reducing falls) by training the sensory neurons in the inner ear. Plus, you can do it at home, you can do it in a park, you can do it with a friend, you can do it in the dark. Yeah, you can do it pretty much anywhere. There are five types, and 13 Movements but even if you do it “wrong,” it is still ok – as long as you are breathing and moving.

Tai Chi focuses on breath and deliberate movements to encourage a true mind/body integration. Speed of movement may change depending of the type of Tai Chi, but all are driven from breath and present as total harmony of mind/body and inner- and outer-self.

“Ok, cool Michelle. Now what? How can I do it if I don’t know what I am doing?!”

I am glad you asked!  

There is a plethora of information on the internet, library, and periodicals. I have found a couple resources that I found informative:

The first resource is from Tai Chi Health Institute, Dr. Paul Lam has lots of information and skills which he generously shares with followers. Attached is a link to his monthly newsletter (you can look at previous months too) and easily navigate through his website.

Here is a link to one of Dr. Paul Lam’s sessions: https://youtu.be/hIOHGrYCEJ4
You can find a multitude of videos once you are on YouTube from this link.

Another site I found is TaiFlow with Leia. Leia has a newsletter that you can have emailed each month if you would like. She has shorter videos, and she talks you through the movements with nice cues, plus her location is pretty awesome.

I hope you find these links helpful! I will be adding some Tai Chi (Qigong) to some of our Tuesday/Thursday sessions. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to me!

Yours in Health,

Michelle

mcote@arrowseniorliving.com

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