Practicing Tai Chi Chuan improves the quality of daily life in so many ways that it has become one of the most popular systems of exercise in the world.The range of benefits that can be derived from Tai Chi spans the entire spectrum of possibilities. People have reported results ranging from generally just feeling better overall to the remission of terminal illnesses. Clinical studies show significant measurable improvements in many important quality of life factors.Influences from the world around us diminish and deplete us every day. Little by little, through events like sickness, pain and fatigue, these forces cost us our energy, happiness and money too. Tai Chi helps us replenish ourselves and build an “armor” to protect us from further harm.
Below is a short summary of a few universal risks and issues that everyone faces in daily life and the demonstrated affects of Tai Chi on them:
Improve your balance. Studies show Tai Chi practitioners are 50% less likely to fall. Reduce intensity of impacts.
Boost your immunity. Studies show Tai Chi increases T-cells by 13% or more.
Studies show Tai Chi reduces Blood Pressure over 7mm systolic, 2.4mm diastolic.
Relieves agonist/antagonist muscle stress on bones. Develops strong, supple joints. Improved joint movement and pain relief. Increase bone density. Studies show Tai Chi improves many aspects of mobility.
Studies show that doing Tai Chi can burn 250 calories/hour. Increase your cardio-respiratory and musculoskeletal function. Tai Chi is equivalent to walking or light aerobics. A truly complete, whole mind-body workout.
Tai Chi breathing increases oxygen transport and overall energy. It stimulates brain activity. The perfect pick-me-up instead of coffee or tobacco.
The mental aspects of Tai Chi quiets the mind and is very calming. This clears the mind of clutter and errant thoughts, reducing stress in body.
Tai Chi has an infinite level of subtlety that keeps people interested for a lifetime. Classes in Tai Chi have as low as 18% drop out rate, rather than up to 50% in typical workouts.
Tai Chi is a no-impact, no-exertion workout that requires special items or space. There's no sweating or need for showers. Do it anytime, any place.
Through training and accomplishment, Tai Chi improves focus and discipline, self-image and confidence. It develops balance and calmness under pressure, and the ability to easily handle the unexpected.
Tai Chi's two person drills build trust, confidence and intuition between people allowing them to develop stronger perception and cooperation skills.
Improve awareness, sensitivity. Gain confidence and conquer fear. Tai Chi teaches highly effective self-defense that does not depend on size or strength and without aggression, anger or other negative emotions. Perfect for women, children, seniors, anyone!
Master Jou Tsung Hwa, one of the most respected of modern Tai Chi teachers, tells in his book, “The Tao of T'ai-Chi Ch'uan”, about how he became ill at age 47, “… with enlarged heart and gastroptosis, because of years of hard work and vigorous schedules.” These are medical conditions that were considered incurable at that time, and today only treatable by dangerous drugs or surgery. He then describes how he began practicing Tai Chi, “ … In only two weeks, my appetite improved and the frequency and severity of my stomach pain lessened. In three years time, my stomach was completely healed. In five years my heart returned to normal, and I regained total good health without the use of drugs.” Students of Master Jou (I being one of them) will attest to his incredible vigor. Even beyond the advanced age of eighty, he was demonstrating a level of health and prowess that rivals that of a young man’s.