Ten Principles Tai Chi

Taking up Tai Chi can have many health benefits for people of all ages.  But don’t just take my word for it; after all, I am not a doctor!  I’ve compiled a list of benefits as reported by other people or medical studies.

• Improved balance
• Improved strength
• Improved flexibility
• Improved circulation
• Stance width
• Improved posture
• Lower blood pressure
• Mental, emotional and/or spiritual enhancement
• Feeling all-over-better
• Slow down / improved patience
• Physical therapy
• Relaxation
• Improved heart and lung function
• Reduce stress
• Reduce risk of disease
• Keeps you fit and active as you get older

The benefits on your own health depend entirely on your condition when you start, the causes of those conditions, and the quality and quantity of your Tai Chi practice.  Or, to use the old cliche, your mileage may vary.

Improved Balance

Sources:

• Tai Chi Marie: Chinese Exercises Benefit Older Adults
• Sun Herald: Tai Chi is good for the body and soul
• Mail Tribune: Grant boosts Tai Chi options , talking about research at Oregon Research Institute
• Marin Independent Journal: Tai chi teachers shows how to age with grace
• William C.C. Chen: Medical Studies

Improved Strength

Sources:

• Mail Tribune: Grant boosts Tai Chi options , talking about research at Oregon Research Institute
• William C.C. Chen: Medical Studies
• Tai Chi Marie: Chinese Exercises Benefit Older Adults

Improved Flexibility

Sources:

• Mail Tribune: Grant boosts Tai Chi options , talking about research at Oregon Research Institute
• Marin Independent Journal: Tai chi teachers shows how to age with grace
• William C.C. Chen: Medical Studies

Improved Circulation

Sources:

•  Marin Independent Journal: Tai chi teachers shows how to age with grace

Stance Width

Sources:

•  Tai Chi Marie: Chinese Exercises Benefit Older Adults

Improved Posture

Sources:

•  William C.C. Chen: Medical Studies

 Lower Blood Pressure

Sources:

•  William C.C. Chen: Medical Studies

Mental, Emotional and/or Spiritual Enhancement

Sources:

• Tai Chi Marie: Chinese Exercises Benefit Older Adults
• Sun Herald: Tai Chi is good for the body and soul

Feeling All-Over-Better

Sources:

•  Mail Tribune: Grant boosts Tai Chi options , talking about research at Oregon Research Institute

Slow Down / Improved Patience

Sources:

• Sun Herald: Tai Chi is good for the body and soul
• Marin Independent Journal: Tai chi teachers shows how to age with grace

Physical Therapy

Sources:

•  William C.C. Chen: Medical Studies

Relaxation

Sources:

•  William C.C. Chen: Medical Studies

Improved Heart & Lung Function

Sources:

•  William C.C. Chen: Medical Studies

Reduce Stress

Sources:

• William C.C. Chen: Medical Studies
• Central Ohio: Tai Chi - ‘It’s great stress relief’

Reduced Risk of Disease

Sources:

• John Crewdson: Tai Chi “the natural ‘flu’ shot” (citing a study into shingles)

Keeps You Fit And Active As You Get Older

Sources:

• BBC: Sedentary life ’speeds up aging’
• Ireland Online: Midler to retire after Vegas residency

If you know of any additional web sites that report on the benefits of taking up Tai Chi, please mention them in the comments below.

Share This