Is Tai Chi For Me?
Ultimately, the answer to this is up to you and your healthcare provider.
The short answer is that you do not have to be in shape to practice Tai Chi. Of course, if your healthcare provider has concerns you must consider those.
Tai Chi has been practiced by young and old, thin and heavy, well and ill for centuries. There are even modern adaptations for those who prefer to be seated while practicing.
The duration is really up to you. There are different “schools” of Tai Chi and each has its own form so the answer can vary.
However, some of the “simplified” forms like the 37 Postures from Cheng Man-ch’ing can take as little as 10 minutes or can take hours as you explore and refine the form.
The health and well-being benefits of Tai Chi have been long-known in China and are now gaining popularity in Western countries.
The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine (NCCIH) maintains research into Tai Chi and believes “These exercise therapies are generally considered safe, self-care approaches used to promote a healthy lifestyle.”
Specific benefits include:
- Promotes Mindfulness & Stress Reduction
- Helping Parkinson’s Patients Maintain Balance & Avoid Falls
- Benefits For Fibromyalgia
- Reducing Falls & Improving Gait Among Elderly
- Complementary Treatments For Osteoarthritis & Rheumatoid Arthritis
Additional Resources
