07/14/2018 / By Bridgette Wilcox
In the world of fitness, Tai Chi may just be one of the most underrated form of exercise. It is, after all, a slow and steady exercise favored by older people — and while the gentleness of its movements is striking, it doesn’t exactly rank high in terms of glamour for an audience that favors strength, speed, and theatrics. Of course, there’s more to this practice than meets the eye — and an article on TreeHugger.com has listed the reasons why this “unusual and effective form of exercise” is worth a shot.
According to the article, Tai Chi is a practice that originated from ancient China. Originally designed to be a martial art, it is a combination of low-impact movements and meditation that can help improve one’s mental and physical well-being. Further, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) has said that Tai Chi movements can be practiced while walking, standing, or sitting. It is a practice that has a lot of similarity with Qi Gong, another Chinese practice, although Tai Chi, when done at a certain speed, can be a form of combat, going back to its martial arts roots.
Treehugger shared three reasons why Tai Chi is a good form of exercise:
In addition to that, NCCIH said that apart from being able to lower stress levels, there is also evidence that suggests that it can improve brain function in the elderly. Research has also suggested that Tai Chi can help lower levels of anxiety and depression.
These three reasons alone are compelling enough to push one to try this highly underappreciated workout program. The best part is, it’s not difficult to learn — with no complicated postures to get into, no heavy equipment to master, and no confusing competition rules.
Still, the NCCIH recommended that Tai Chi be learned from a trusted instructor instead of a video or book. That way, you can reap this practice’s benefits in all its gentle glory.
Read up on more ways to improve your fitness at Slender.news.
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Tagged Under: alternative medicine, fitness, low-impact workouts, Meditation, mind-body exercises, tai chi, traditional Chinese medicine