Tai Chi for Health
The Benefits
 Tai
Chi Chuan is an ancient Chinese martial art. It
actually translates to strong fist. Tai Chi is
practiced around the world as an effective exercise
for health. There are several styles of Tai Chi. Yang,
Wu, Chen, and Sun are the most common known forms.
Tai Chi consists of fluid, gentle movements that are
practiced in a relaxed and slow tempo. It is an
exercise that can be done almost anywhere. Some
styles are more energetic and involve kicks and deep knee
bends.
Doctor Paul Lam, Australia, has developed the Tai Chi
for arthritis program using the Sun Style of Tai Chi. It
is specifically geared for people who have arthritis so
deep knee bends are not required. It is done in
a very relaxed manner with a slow tempo.
The research that has been done on Tai Chi as a form
of exercise has shown that there is improvement in muscle
strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, range of
motion, and aerobic fitness. People who have taken
Tai Chi classes have also learned how to focus their mind
on what they are doing so there is an improved mind/body
connection.
The Chinese believe that through the practice of Tai
Chi there is an improvement in the flow of “Qi” which
is the life energy that circulates within your body. The
stronger the Qi the healthier a person becomes.
Why do I want to do Tai Chi?
When you are stronger the muscles are better able to
support the joints and protect them from injury. This
helps decrease pain and deformity. As strength improves,
balance improves. Every day tasks get easier to do.
As you become more flexible, you will have less stiffness
and pain and the movements become easier to do.
You become more physically fit which helps improve your
overall health. Your lungs, heart, and muscles function
more effectively. Every day tasks,such as climbing
stairs,become easier.
One of the main things in Tai Chi is weight transference
from one leg to the other. As this improves so does
balance. You also improve your posture which indicates
that the back muscles have become stronger and are better
able to support your spine.
Tai Chi is done in a state of focused mind/body. As
this occurs, you begin to relax. You can have improvement
in your mood and increase mental clarity as a side effect
of this more relaxed state.
Exercise
From: Live Well
Anne Bokma
[in: Glow Health, Summer 2007, p: 54-59
Adopting an easy-on-the joints fitness program (like
choosing swimming or cycling instead of jogging, or tai
chi instead of karate) is key for people with OA because
it strengthens muscles and provides stability to the joints.
"People may be tempted to give up on exercise because
it can add to their pain," says Lacaille. "But
[quitting] can further aggravate the condition by causing
muscles to become week and atrophy." She suggests
working with a physiotherapist, who can help create an
appropriate fitness program that’s adapted to arthritis. "Exercise
will reduce your level of pain and improve your level
of functioning." Exercises that work to strengthen
the muscles around the affected joints are also important
and can help relieve the pain, says Boulos. (p. 58)
Classes
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