If you’re looking for a way to reduce stress, consider tai chi (TIE-CHEE). Tai chi has evolved into a graceful form of exercise that’s now used for stress reduction and various other health conditions.
Tai chi is the most popular exercise in the world today. It is relatively new to the western world but is becoming more and more popular. The two-thousand-year-old Chinese martial art is quite simple to do and has many benefits.
My friend has been attending tai chi classes for around a year now. It has massively helped her controlling the anxiety and stress levels. Stress has been a significant factor in my life, as well and I have always struggled to think positively. I now try many alternative treatments to manage my stress, including meditation and yoga. Both work very well for me.
What is tai chi?
Tai chi is an ancient Chinese tradition that, today, is practiced as a graceful form of exercise. It involves a series of movements performed in a slow, focused manner and accompanied by deep breathing.
Tai chi, also called tai chi chuan, is a noncompetitive, self-paced system of gentle physical exercise and stretching. Each posture flows into the next without pause, ensuring that your body is in constant motion.
Tai chi is different from yoga, another type of meditative movement. Yoga includes various physical postures and breathing techniques, along with meditation.
Who can do tai chi?
Tai chi is low impact and puts minimal stress on muscles and joints, making it generally safe for all ages and fitness levels. In fact, because tai chi is a low-impact exercise, it may be especially suitable if you’re an older adult who otherwise may not exercise.
Although tai chi is generally safe, women who are pregnant or people with joint problems, back pain, fractures, severe osteoporosis or a hernia should consult their health care provider before trying tai chi. Modification or avoidance of certain postures may be recommended.
Tai chi is inexpensive and requires no special equipment. You can do tai chi anywhere, including indoors or outside.
Why tai chi?
The benefits of tai chi is immense:
- Decreased stress, anxiety and depression
- Improved mood
- Improved aerobic capacity
- Increased energy and stamina
- Improved flexibility, balance and agility
- Improved muscle strength and definition
- Enhance quality of sleep
- Enhance the immune system
- Help lower blood pressure
- Improve joint pain
- Improve symptoms of congestive heart failure
- Reduce risk of falls in older adults
How to get started with tai chi
You can find tai chi classes in many communities today. To find a class near you, contact local fitness centers, health clubs, and senior centers.
A tai chi instructor can teach you specific positions and breathing techniques. An instructor can also teach you how to practice tai chi safely, especially if you have injuries, chronic conditions, or balance or coordination problems.
Maintaining the benefits of tai chi
You may find it helpful to practice tai chi in the same place and at the same time every day to develop a routine. But if your schedule is erratic, do tai chi whenever you have a few minutes.
What are the types of tai chi?
The yang style
It includes 24 movements in its simple form (108 movements in the traditional form), is demanding because you must keep your stance wide and your knees bent most of the time.
The wu style
It includes 24 to 36 movements in its shorter form (100 movements in the traditional), is gentler than the yang style because it uses a narrower, but higher stance where the knees are not quite as bent.
The tai chi chi style
It has 20 movements, also uses a higher stance, but with much less transfer of weight from one leg to the other than the other two. Because the wu style uses a high, narrow stance, it may be easier for beginners and ideal for improving balance.
Is tai chi a martial art?
- When the Western world thinks of “martial arts,” it inevitably thinks of kicking, punching, fighting, and body contact. Not slow, rhythmic, and meditative body movements designed to enhance relaxation, inner calm, and peace.
- The martial art of tai chi is all about: slow, rhythmic, meditative movements designed to help you find peace and calm.
In conclusion, if you are like me and are a person who is always stressed out and often depressed, tai chi could be the answer for you. Give it a go, and it could change your life.
I am a person who likes to try new things as I am always trying to improve my life. I want to live a long, happy, and stress-free life. Using these forms of alternative treatments is helping me to achieve this at the moment.
Practicing tai chi can improve both your physical and mental health. This safe and gentle form of exercise is appropriate for all ages and fitness levels. Plus, it is easily adaptable to certain physical limitations and health conditions.
Properly taught and practiced, tai chi can be safely and productively done by anyone who can stand and walk. The movements and postures of the tai chi form can and should be done at your individual capacity and adapted to your current condition.
It usually takes about 30 to 36 class hours to learn the basic movements, depending upon the schedule of your teaching location. The benefits of doing tai chi, though, can be felt immediately: Even with the first movements of the form, we begin to embody the principles of tai chi chuan!
Why don’t you give it a try? What stress-busters you are following ? Share your views. Don’t forget to like, share and follow my blog.
Very informative post about Tai chi
Thanks Annapurna