Tai Chi Chuan: for an energetic living!
Tai Chi or Qigong is a form of soft martial art which originated in China in 17th Century. The literary meaning of the word Tai Chi Chuan is supreme ultimate boxing. Tai Chi is a meditative martial art which is performed with slow and graceful movements along with the deep and slow breathing. The series of gentle movements strengthens and relaxes the body and mind while deep and slow breathing supply more energy to the body cells.
Though Tai Chi is an Asian concept, it has an elevated popularity in western countries due to the excellent health benefits of it. Basically, Tai Chi reduces the stress, improves health and longevity, and maintains vitality and stamina. Tai Chi is highly recommended for middle-aged and elderly individuals because the long term practice of Tai Chi reduces aging and enhances the physical functions. Experiments have shown that even before physical exercise the mental state influences the chemical compositions of the blood and the dynamic process of the blood circulation.
Tai Chi has following health benefits:
- Reduces stress and anxiety
- Improves the proper function of nervous system and mood regulating hormones like serotonin. Better sleep (specially for elders)
- Promotes weight loss
- Improving cognitive capacity in older adults
- Reduces risk of falling in older adults (approximately after 10 -15 weeks regular practice)
- Improves balance and strength in people with Parkinson’s
- Improving quality of life for cancer patients
- Reduces pain from arthritis
- Improves the digestion process
