Flow Into Tai Chi for Longevity and Health -- Terra Wellington's Balanced Living

Primer on this form of Chinese medicine and
how it can help you.
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Originally Published September 29, 2005 -- Your Wellness Guide

Flow Into Tai Chi for Longevity and Health
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For those of you who are old enough to remember the movie Karate Kid or even an episode from Kung Fu, perhaps this is your only exposure to the ancient art of Tai Chi -- a system of controlled, flowing exercises developed many years ago in China to tone the entire body.

Pronounced tie chee and translated as “moving harmony,” Tai Chi is part of Chinese medicine and is considered an element of healthcare, reducing tension in the body that often causes bodily pain and dysfunction. This attitude is similar to the alternative medicine of homeopathy, in which stress and its offsetting of your center or “vital force” is believed to cause many of your physical ailments.

To Tai Chi masters, the movements, exercise, and detail associated with this system are not just a way to relax but also are a critical key to health -- especially as you age. In fact, there is evidence that Tai Chi not only strengthens and provides greater balance as you age but you actually might be healthier in your older years because of it -- what a contradiction to Western thought! As a result, Tai Chi is something you can grow old with.

Two-time National Tai Chi Champion Joshua Grant
teaches at the Boston Kung Fu and Tai Chi Institute -- www.taichi.com

“Tai Chi was initially a martial art. In this martial arts aspect, it’s about lowering your center and deepening your roots,” says Tai Chi Instructor Joshua Grant. Your roots, says Grant, include the sole of your foot and your ability to balance your body. “It’s where chi (energy) from the earth flows into the body, and the roots of your body go into the ground.”

You might wonder how Tai Chi would be different from yoga. Both are mind-body oriented -- using the focus of the mind and the strength of the body. Grant notes that yoga is using stretching and strengthening to free the spirit. Tai Chi is also doing that but with the added element of power (from the martial art perspective) and learning how to use the forces around you rather than just physical strength. Tai Chi also is meant to be practiced entirely standing up (though can be done sitting down) with constantly flowing movements, whereas yoga is both standing, sitting, and laying with individual postures and oftentimes few movements.

At the International Council of Active Aging’s upcoming December conference, Dr. Jim Concotelli of Horizon Bay Senior Committees will be presenting research and information on the documented benefits of Tai Chi. Research shows that regular Tai Chi practice in older adults prevents falls by 50 percent. This is because Tai Chi focuses on developing a lower stance with distinct movement of the legs, which strengthens the quadriceps muscles -- a key to balance.

“Two studies,” says Concotelli “also show Tai Chi builds the confidence in moving, reduces the fear of falling, and, therefore, older adults are more likely to stay active.” Without staying active, a vicious cycle ensues in which less movement means more of a chance of falling, then a fear of falling develops, then even less physical activity is the result.

Other well-documented Tai Chi benefits for all ages include lower blood pressure, heart strengthening, improved oxygen intake, a calming of the nervous system, stress reduction, and an improved immune system (one study showed a 40 percent improvement).

If you want to get involved with Tai Chi, look for a Tai Chi or martial arts school or studio near your work or home. Generally, this is the best place where you will find qualified teachers, since no certifying body exists for Tai Chi. Also, if the instructor has won awards in Tai Chi tournaments, this is also another good indicator of quality. And, as you learn Tai Chi and are able to differentiate movements and techniques, look for the instructors that have the best quality of movement, know the most about Tai Chi philosophy, and who are comfortable relaxing deep into the postures.

Catherine Chamberland who instructs at the Miraval Resort and Spa in Arizona says that Tai Chi classes build on each other and require your commitment to attendance in learning movements, unlike yoga where it would be possible to drop into different classes here and there and can have different postures each class session.

Web-only resource: Tai Chi for Staying Young by Master Lam Kam-Chuen

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