I dropped the exercise we were doing and ran over to check what it said.
Even my fingers had been tingling!
(Check out moreexercises for longevity!)
It might start as that, but its really a full mind-body experience.
What is tai chi?
There are several myths and legends surrounding tai chis origin story.
But historians agree that tai chi started as a martial art in ancient China.
Today, its most often used as a gentle form of exercise.
Today, most modern practices stem from one of five primary traditions.
We live in very stressful times, saysMargaret Olmsted, who has been teaching with theTai Chi Foundationsince 1976.
Anything that helps you center and relax and breathe is good.
And tai chi is very good at all of those.
a tai chi teacher with theTai Chi Foundation
Itll improve your balance
We begin tolose our ability to balance after age 503, Olmsted points out.
Tai chi can be a way toimprove our balanceso we dont lose it.
Its really good for fall prevention, Dr. Ng says.
Itll give you a cognitive boost
Tai chi cangive your brain a healthy workout, too.
Below, Olmsted and Dr. Ng share some of theirs go-to tai chi exercises for beginners at home.
Ward off left and ward off right
2.
Brush the knee
3.
Parting the wild horses mane
It is a lifelong journey.
So just enjoy the process and have fun with it.
Mike Ng, DACM, CES
Tips to get started
1.
If youre practicing one movement or two movements every day, that consistency really goes a long way.
There is freeness within the form, but also form within the freeness, Dr. Ng says.
Start with quality rather than quantity
As a newbie, it can feel like theres a lot to learn.
But Dr. Ng suggests keeping your focus narrow.
Dont get too consumed with learning what the next guys learning, he says.
Its nice to be inspired by some of the more advanced movements.
FAQ
1. Who can do tai chi?
(And who cant?)
The quiet, soft movements of tai chi can be done by nearly anyone.
That doesnt mean its only for those who need a safer workout.
Are there any disadvantages to tai chi?
Tai chi may look easy, but the focus and patience required can make it surprisingly difficult.
How hard is it to learn tai chi?
It is a lifelong journey, Dr. Ng adds.
So just enjoy the process and have fun with it.
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