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Tai Chi

Tai Chi is one form of healing practice in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) which aims to balance the energy of the mind and the body through movement. TCM embodies the belief that all life has an energy or life force. When this energy flow, called qi, is in balance and flows freely, the body is in a state of health. When this flow becomes impeded, stagnant, or deficient, ill health can result. Tai Chi, which focuses on posture, balance, strength, and flexibility, is practiced to encourage the proper flow of energy, free blockages, and facilitate overall physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.

Tai Chi involves a sequence of slow movements performed with focused mental energy and deep breathing. Tai Chi is so gentle, people of virtually all walks of life can benefit from this healing practice. Tai Chi can be performed alone or in a group setting. A group instructor can guide students through the postures while emphasizing proper posture and breathing techniques. Tai Chi can also be done by watching an instruction video and following along.

Western medicine has found a number of benefits of Tai Chi. When practiced regularly, Tai Chi can improve cardiovascular health, increase muscle strength, and enhance balance and coordination. Scientific reports show that Tai Chi can also help to reduce anxiety, depression, anger, and fatigue. Cardiovascular health, muscle strength, flexibility, coordination, sleep, and gait may be improved with Tai Chi. Early bone loss (osteoporosis) can be delayed through Tai Chi. Tai Chi may help increase one's resistance to the chicken pox and shingles virus. People with osteoarthritis report decreased pain and stiffness after practicing Tai Chi.

There are also a number of benefits of Tai Chi that people have reported but have not been confirmed by clinical trials. These benefits may include reducing the risk of falls in the elderly, increasing exercise tolerance, decreased blood pressure and cholesterol, and treatment for diabetes, arthritis, ADHD, gastritis, mood disorders, and more. The National Institutes of Health are currently conducting clinical trials to measure the benefit of Tai Chi in alternative stress management in HIV disease; treatment of vestibular/balance abnormalities; and varicella zoster (chicken pox and shingles) immunity.

Adverse effects of Tai Chi are rare. People with certain medical conditions like heart conditions, joint problems, osteoporosis, acute back pain, and bone injuries should discuss practicing Tai Chi with their health care professional. Tai Chi is offered at many community, healing, and fitness centers. Audio, video, and books on Tai Chi are available at most bookstores. If you would like to learn more about Tai Chi, you may wish to speak with your health care professional or locate a Tai Chi instructor near you.

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