Tai Chi ~ What, How & Why

By Marcia Wyman, 
Meditation & Tai Chi Instructor & Co-op Wellness Educator

Tai chi is a moving meditation that was created 2,500 years ago. It is based on observations of nature. The moves imitate the movements of the wind, the animals, and the cycle of the seasons.

Tai chi has been studied for more than 30 years by scientists who have concluded that the art form is the best form of non-jarring exercise.

Some of Tai Chi’s Benefits Include...

• Balance: Participants focus on sinking symbolically, their roots into the ground. Warm-ups strengthen the legs, feet, and even the toes for better awareness and gripping power. The slow gentle rocking motion allows the “monkey mind” to be conscious of subtle shifts in posture.
• Flexibility: The moves are slow and graceful, allowing the body to adjust to more movement. The adaptation comes about slowly and is non-abusive to the body. Neurological connections slow down and are more complete and solid through use of the form.
• Strength: An hour of slow moving is much more effective that an hour of jumping around or moving weights to a beat. Tai chi works according to your own ability, which makes it safe and user friendly. 

Each person grows and matures to their own level and at their own pace. Such a progress allows the body to say, “Okay, I’m ready for more strength, more flexibility, more balance,” versus forcing the growth.

I have experienced the recuperative benefits of tai chi. In 2010, I had a stroke due to business and personal pressure. The stroke paralyzed my entire left side. The tai chi instructor suggested that I continue with my lessons. Though I was frustrated, angry, and skeptical, I found that within six months, my body began developing new neurological connects that bypassed the damage of the stroke. I continued taking classes weekly. The total recovery time, for both the body and the mind, was five years. I am living proof that tai chi works.

How Does Tai Chi Work?

Neurological connections are reenforced, and the body adapts according to its own healing timeline. There are no sudden moves to jar the body nor prolonged repetitive moves that might injure the body. Tai chi is not an overnight success. However it has been used to heal, maintain, and improve whole body wellbeing for more than 2,500 years; it must provide relief on some level.

Daily, in the parks in China, people join groups of tai chi practitioners in order to improve, maintain, or boost their immune systems. Using their own life-force energy, participants move their bodies and their minds gracefully, slowly, and serenely, interweaving effective postures that have shown to benefit both mind and spirit.


Marcia runs Inner Peace Tai Chi. Learn more by emailing nesainc@aol.com.

 
The statements made on this blog have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, prescribe, recommend, or offer medical advice. Please see your health care practitioner for help regarding choices and to avoid herb-drug interactions.