Benefits of Tai Chi - Harvard Medical School

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-health-benefits-of-tai-chi

Tai chi is often described as "meditation in motion," but it might well be called "medication in motion." There is growing evidence that this mind-body practice, which originated in China as a martial art, has value in treating or preventing many health problems. And you can get started even if you aren't in top shape or the best of health.

In this low-impact, slow-motion exercise, you go without pausing through a series of motions named for animal actions — for example, "white crane spreads its wings" — or martial arts moves, such as "box both ears." As you move, you breathe deeply and naturally, focusing your attention — as in some kinds of meditation — on your bodily sensations. Tai chi differs from other types of exercise in several respects. The movements are usually circular and never forced, the muscles are relaxed rather than tensed, the joints are not fully extended or bent, and connective tissues are not stretched. Tai chi can be easily adapted for anyone, from the most fit to people confined to wheelchairs or recovering from surgery.

A growing body of carefully conducted research is building a compelling case for tai chi as an adjunct to standard medical treatment for the prevention and rehabilitation of many conditions commonly associated with age. An adjunct therapy is one that's used together with primary medical treatments, either to address a disease itself or its primary symptoms, or, more generally, to improve a patient's functioning and quality of life.

Belief System

You don’t need to subscribe to or learn much about the roots in Chinese philosophy to enjoy its health benefits, but these concepts can help make sense of the approach.

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Qi is an energy force thought to flow the the body, tai chi is said to unlock and encourage the proper flow of qi.

Yin and Yang are opposing elements thought to make up the universe that need to be kept in harmony. Tai Chi is said to promote this balance.

Some Physical Benefits include:

Muscle strength. Tai chi can improve both lower-body strength and upper-body strength. When practiced regularly, tai chi can be comparable to resistance training and brisk walking.

Flexibility. Tai chi can boost upper- and lower-body flexibility as well as strength.

Balance. Tai chi improves balance and, according to some studies, reduces falls. Proprioception — the ability to sense the position of one's body in space — declines with age. Tai chi helps train this sense, which is a function of sensory neurons in the inner ear and stretch receptors in the muscles and ligaments.

Benefits of Tai Chi for Physical and Mental Health

https://tinyurl.com/2v2fxy34 

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Some Mental Benefits include;

• Reduce stress, anxiety and help to relieve mild depression

• Improv your mood and enhance psychological well-being 

• Improve your sleep quality and reduce insomnia

• Help to improve cognitive function

• Reduce loneliness and isolation

• Improve emotional well-being and assist people experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder.

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