In honour of a certain octogenarian familiar to all at Brum Towers who’s just taken up Tai Chi, here’s a look at some of the surprising health benefits of this ancient Chinese martial art
Sometimes called ‘meditation in motion’, Tai Chi is low-impact, slow-motion exercise that consists of a series of different postures that flow into each other while focusing on deep, slow breaths. It may look gentle but a whole host of worldwide studies suggest an array of health benefits that make it as effective as conventional exercise for helping keep you in tip-top order.
THE BASICS
So, what’s it all about. Essentially during a Tai Chi session, you plant your feet into the ground and shift your weight from the right to left leg as you perform various movements that flow from one to the next without pausing. You can also do it sitting down if you’re confined to a wheelchair or have very limited mobility. The movements are usually circular and never forced, and your muscles and joints are nice and relaxed. As you move, you breathe slowly and deeply, focusing your attention on how your body feels.
THE BENEFITS
This gentle form of exercise can help maintain strength, flexibility, and balance, and could be the perfect activity for the rest of your life. Here are just some of the associated benefits:
Healthy heart
In a recent study comparing Tai Chi to brisk walking, the martial art was found to be significantly better at reducing blood pressure and other risk factors for heart disease, like blood sugar levels and cholesterol.
Brain power
Tai Chi has been found to improve brain function with more activity encouraged in the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for higher-level thinking skills so memory and mental flexibility are both improved.
Fat burn
Well, who knew? Evidence suggests it burns the same number of calories as conventional exercise and is just as effective for helping with weight loss and reducing obesity. Great news if you can’t stand the gym or have limited mobility.
Low-impact
Tai Chi doesn’t call for the same flexibility as yoga, nor is it as strenuous as other forms of exercise, making it easier on your joints and muscles.
Stress reduction
Because you need to focus on your breathing and gentle movements, Tai Chi helps quiet the mind bringing a sense of quiet and tranquility… aaah.
Boost your immunity
Several studies have suggested that Tai Chi has positive impacts on the immune system and its response to inflammation.
Improve balance
Falling over can be dangerous and even deadly, especially in older adults. Some studies have highlighted that people who practised Tai Chi had up to 50 per cent fewer falls than those who didn’t.
Better sleep
Sleep is crucial for all aspects of health, and regularly practicing Tai Chi may help you to have more restful kip with all the massive health benefits associated. Research surrounding Tai Chi and sleep has found improvements in just 10 weeks.
Lengthen your life
Tai Chi is particularly popular in Hong Kong, where residents have one of the highest life expectancies in the world. Is this connected? Given all the above, it’s not a massive surprise.
GET STARTED TODAY!
Feel inspired? What are you waiting for…? You don’t need special equipment or expertise to start so it’s super affordable and accessible for any age and fitness level. If you’ve never done it before, suffer from any form of long-term illness or you’re not quite as young as you used to be, we’d recommend talking to a health professional first before giving it a crack.
But don’t be afraid. It doesn’t call for the same flexibility as yoga, nor is it as strenuous as other forms of exercise, and it’s generally considered to be a safe exercise with few side effects, although you may experience some aches or pains at first. Good luck!