Senior Fitness: Tai Chi and Qigong
Exercise does a body good. But not all exercise is created equal when it comes to Senior Citizens. Many exercises can cause
injury or are too strenuous to perform. If you live in places like San Francisco where there is a large Asian population, you may see many men and women of all age groups at the park performing these slow, beautiful, and graceful movements. So what is this beautiful art? It’s called Tai Chi and it is a great form of exercise for Seniors.
Background
Tai Chi comes in many forms and is spelled in many different ways. Chi Kung or Qigong is the “mother of Tai Chi” and was developed prior to martial arts. When martial arts combined with Chi Kung, it became Tai Chi. The Chinese believe in a strong body-mind connection and emphasize that philosophy in their teachings of martial arts.
Not only are Tai Chi and Quigong exercises, they are also forms of meditation. Every muscle, joint, organ and bone in the body is moved but in a slow gentle motion. The breathing emphasized in Qigong, helps enhance the exercise.
Benefits
- Tai Chi is beneficial both spiritually and physically.
- It improves posture and flexibility
- Studies have shown that falls from seniors have decreased with the introduction of this type of exercise.
Check your local senior centers and/or assisted living and nursing homes. Tai Chi classes are offered in many places now as this exercise has gained popularity.
*credit: Bending Tree Tai Chi Kung
