• 9 December 2021

• Blog
• Exercise groups tags

Benefits of…Tai Chi

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Tai Chi is a gentle form of exercise that combines deep breathing and relaxation with flowing movements.

Originally developed as a martial art in 13th-century China, there is growing evidence that this mind-body practice has value in treating or preventing many health problems.

When performing the Tai Chi sequence of connected, flowing movements, the whole body is effected from muscles, bones, organs, the central nervous system and indeed the brain.  It is both relaxing and fun but let’s look at those key health benefits:

Muscle strength

Tai Chi can increase the strength in your lower and upper extremities, as well as the core muscles of the back and abdomen. This strengthening can lead to better posture which helps reduce wear and tear on the joint muscles and reduces back pain.

Flexibility

Tai Chi can increase the flexibility of your upper and lower body. There is some evidence that tai chi can improve mobility in the ankles, hips and knees in people with rheumatoid arthritis. However, it is still not known if tai chi can reduce pain or improve the quality of life for people with rheumatoid arthritis.

Balance

Due to the gentle strengthening of core muscles and repetition of flowing movements, Tai Chi can improve your balance.  Better balance means you are less likely to fall and even if you do stumble, your balance and flexibility will make it easier to recover.

Aerobic conditioning

At beginner level there is not so much aerobic benefit from Tai Chi, but those who are able to increase the speed and size of the movements will feel some benefit.

Other potential benefits include:

• Relieving stress through mindfulness
• Improved memory and concentration
• Feeling more energised
• Simply having fun and meeting like minded people.

For further information on the benefits of Tai Chi, please visit the following websites/articles:

The Health Benefits of Tai Chi

Guide to Tai Chi

Tai Chi – How it Works