Tai Chi and Your Health

If you have seen the opening of the 2008 Beijing Olympics (as unfortunately, and unforgivably, I haven’t), you have been treated to a performance view of Tai-Chi. It is an ancient Chinese form that was originally developed for martial arts but has evolved into an exercise form for health and well being.

Tai Chi has many styles (Sun, Yang, Wu, Hao, etc.), but all are rooted on the same foundations - the concept of the Yin and Yang, the natural ebb and flow of nature’s energy in a slow deliberate pattern that reflects the natural elements, animal movements, integrated with deep breathing and meditation. All of it comes beautifully together in graceful, yet inherently powerful forms or movements. Different styles have different forms with some variations even for the same movements.

The health benefits attributed to the practice of Tai Chi are numerous:

• Improves physical condition, muscle strength, coordination and flexibility.
• Improves balance, lowering the risk of falls.
• Eases pain and stiffness, even for people with arthritis.
• Provides relaxing benefits of meditation.
• Improves sleep.
• Exercises the internal organs and improves blood circulation.
• Improves mental and physical concentration and focus.
• Helps prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease, hypertension and diabetes.
• Promotes overall wellness by strengthening and improving the body’s immune system.

Of course, while it cannot be the panacea to all illnesses, compared to most other forms of exercises, Tai Chi is among the most suitable for people of all ages.

Why Tai-Chi?

To me, the most important reason for learning Tai-Chi is that it is an exercise form that I can do over the long-term - with No Age Limitation. Because its movements are slow, it facilitates muscle conditioning and development without the stressful impact on the joints. Thus, it is an exercise activity that anyone can do, regardless of age. In the United States, Tai Chi is recognized as part of what is known as Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). This long-term view of exercise is an essential ingredient to long-term well-being. As one who has been seriously engaged in multi-day backpacking for many years, I have been used to rigorous physical activity over extended periods of time - for days, not just hours. However, I realized that I could not sustain that kind of an activity - even if I really liked it very much well into my older years- say beyond 70 or 80. So I began to focus on the kind of exercise activities that would be sustainable for an indefinite period of one’s life - and after seeing Tai-Chi masters and practitioners well in the 90’s becoming even more adept at their craft, I decided that Tai-Chi is what I was looking for. Thus began my informal street indoctrination into Tai Chi by personal observation and participation at several practice sessions at numerous parks and recreation areas for a number of years - from the Luneta Park in Manila, Philippines to the public parks in Orange County, California. This was followed by some class participation in Tai Chi classes at the Sta Ana College, Orange County. All these were supplemented by personal studies of various Tai Chi forms in DVD instructional videos.



Tai Chi for Arthritis

Specifically for those afflicted with arthritis, Dr. Paul Lam, a family physician and tai chi master, led a team of tai chi and medical specialists in creating a unique program: Tai Chi for Arthritis. Adapted and taught in Australia by the Arthritis Foundation of Australia, it is also being used by similar organizations in United Kingdom, New Zealand, and also the United States. A couple of months ago, I completed my training and obtained my certificate as a Certified Tai-Chi for Arthritis Instructor conducted by Tai Chi Master Instructor Troyce Thome organized by the Arthritis Foundation of Southern California. However, before I can actually conduct my own classes, I am still going through several observation sessions with existing classes, which I will be completing soon. Thus far, I have observed and participated in the beginner, intermediate and advance classes of Master Instructor Troyce Thome and Instructor Ross Costa in San Juan Capistrano, and Professor Emeritus Vince McCullough, Tai Chi instructor for 40 years of Saddleback College, California. I have also attended workshops conducted by Instructor Bing Luh of the Tai Chi Studio in Tustin, California.


Tai Chi - A Moving Meditation

Once you get into the gentle rhythm of the Tai Chi forms, whether you are a beginner or a long-time practitioner, you will really begin to enjoy doing it, as your mind and body merge into the beautiful moving meditation that is Tai Chi. Done in isolated silence, or with accompanying appropriate music, indoors or outdoors, one can become totally immersed in this beautiful ancient art form that is as relevant today as when it was first introduced in China several centuries ago.

Most likely, you will certainly "get a kick" out of doing it, while reaping its beneficial effects on your health and well-being.