Do you want to stay in shape, but don't want the strain of a high-impact workout? Or are you looking for a way to enjoy your retirement years with plenty of activity and social interaction? If so, T’ai Chi may be the perfect option for you. This ancient Chinese martial art has many health benefits, which is why it's growing in popularity all the time.
For many people, the main reason for taking a T'ai Chi Class is to improve their health, whether physically, mentally, or both. Long life is useless unless you can enjoy that life. Think about a time you’ve been ill. Nothing you do is enjoyable, and simple everyday tasks are difficult. Improving health makes life so much more enjoyable! Health consists of some key areas: mobility, strength, ability to go out and about the community and attend events, balance, cognitive function, dealing with aches and pains, reducing stress, and maintaining your independence.
T’ai Chi Ch’uan improves many of these areas of life including:
- Increasing balance and coordination
- Improving flexibility and range of motion
- Building strength and stamina
- Improving circulation and cardiovascular health
- Reducing stress and promoting relaxation
- improving joint health
- Reducing cholesterol levels
- Reducing back pain
- Helping relieve arthritis symptoms
- Improving sleep quality
- Boosting immunity
- Delaying the onset of dementia or Alzheimer's disease
- Managing type II diabetes
Over the last five decades, much research has gone into the by-products of health derived from the practice of T'ai Chi Ch'uan. For example, The Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi covers their research into topics such as: improving balance, strengthening bones, strengthening the heart and circulatory system, reducing back pain and pain due to arthritis, improving cognitive function, dealing with type II diabetes, improving sleep quality and much more. More and more people are seeing the benefits of T’ai Chi, and these benefits are now being supported by modern and scientific studies.
