In the earlier days, we Indians never looked beyond Yoga and meditation to keep our body and mind healthy. But today, the world has become a global village, and we can also look for alternative life practices to help our overall well-being. TAI CHI is slowly becoming popular in India, and not without reason. Let us explore what Tai Chi is all about.
Understanding Tai Chi
Tai Chi is a series of gentle physical exercises and stretches that anyone can do comfortably. So, it suits most seniors as it is not physically exhausting. It is sometimes considered ‘meditation in motion’ because it connects the body and minds through gentle movements. It is the art of embracing mind, body, and spirit. It is a serene and calming activity, especially beneficial for seniors as you can do it anywhere-lying in bed, sitting on a chair, etc. One noteworthy point is that it can help prevent falls in the elderly, as this graceful form of exercise constantly keeps our bodies in motion.
Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese Martial tradition that has now evolved into a gentle swaying motion of various body parts. The rhythm of the exercise is a constant flow of one movement into another without a pause. Thus, it keeps the body in constant motion.
How to go about it
You will find many videos on YouTube on the subject of Tai Chi, I am providing a YouTube link to see how Tai Chi exercise is performed. Please see the video, and then decide
The Tai Chi warm-up exercises focus mostly on six areas, namely the neck, shoulder, spine, waist, knees, and ankle. You can do them either sitting or standing. Practicing them regularly enhances your flexibility and tones up your muscles. However, every individual is different. So, respect and listen to your own body and never push yourself beyond your capacity and limit. Some points to remember before you start:
- Be comfortable with yourself, your clothes, and your movements.
- Do not continue if you feel uncomfortable in any way.
- Perform all movements slowly, smoothly, and continuously.
- Make sure your practicing environment is safe and clutter-free and has good lighting.
- Hydrate yourself well, especially if it is a warm day.
- Like all exercises, if you are doing it for a long time, do incorporate warming-up and cooling-down exercises.
The benefits
It helps in easing stress and anxiety and brings about inner peace and a feeling of calmness. For the elderly, it is relatively safe, as it does not put too much stress on the muscle and joints. As a low-impact exercise, it is highly beneficial for those who do not like to exercise and is safe. It is inexpensive as it requires no trainer, training, or equipment. You can do it indoors or outdoors, solo or in a group.
Since it focuses on gentle movements, it helps the elderly with their balance, control, and flexibility. Since these things help seniors to be mobile and maintain their independence. Tai Chi is highly beneficial. There are tremendous physical benefits for the elderly, especially those who do not otherwise perform exercises. For many seniors, it provides some much-needed aerobic activity. Since it builds better muscle strength, it also improves energy and stamina. It leads to better sleep since it improves mood through reduced stress and anxiety.
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Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
28th March 2023