The Benefits of Tai Chi
Tai chi is a slow and graceful form of movement that originated in China thousands of years ago. There are many different forms of Tai chi, and many variations on how it is taught. Regardless of what form you use, there are many health benefits to practicing this ancient form of exercise. Like all techniques that are based in Eastern medicine, it's mission is to help unite the mind and body, creating total health.
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Balancing Yin and Yang
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Chinese medicine believes that you need to balance Yin and Yang to have total health. Yin is female, passive, negative and cold, while Yang is masculine, light, warm and positive. As you move in Tai chi, you create a flow of energy that naturally balances them.
Improves Balance and Reduces the Risk of Falls
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Tai chi is slow and there is a lot of weight shifting involved. This helps you to learn where your center of gravity is and how to shift weight without falling. The slow movements help you to gain control over your movements and strengthen your reflexes.
Builds Lower Body Strength
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Many Tai chi movements incorporate a squat or lunge position. As you work to hold yourself in these postures, your leg muscles will be come stronger.
Increases Flexibility
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Tai chi moves your body in a variety of directions. You will bend, twist and rotate your head, neck, arms, trunk and legs. This helps to improve the overall flexibility and range of motion in all of your joints and muscles.
Helps to Calm the Body and Mind
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Tai chi is a form of meditation. The movements are very specific and it takes lot of concentration to do. This takes your mind away from other thoughts, which helps to calm the nervous system. This promotes relaxation and can help with insomnia.
Considerations
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Since there are so many forms, it is important to try several classes to find the right fit. Tai chi can be very gentle or very challenging depending on the instructor and form. There are chair classes and Ai chi, which is Tai chi in the water.
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- Photo Credit www.trip-to-china.com
