Tai Chi Offers an Exhaustion-Free Workout

A common belief for many people has been that the only way to stay fit and healthy is through intense workouts at the gym. However, Tai Chi, a Chinese martial arts form of exercise that has been practiced for thousands of years, promotes good health through slow, rhythmic and meditative movement.

Tai Chi is a form of Kung Fu, and although it may not be the immediate picture many people think of, it is supposed to be used as a way of self-defence — its principle was to deflect the use of the enemy’s energy back at them. In modern times, it is used for health benefits, which many scientific studies support. In one Japanese study, adults who took Tai Chi had improved in strength, almost as much as those who took resistance training, and more than people who walked briskly.

Tai Chi can help with muscle strength, flexibility, balance, aerobic conditioning, and stress reduction. It is particularly beneficial for people with health problems, specifically the elderly, because it is not demanding on the body, but instead, relaxes the joints. The gentle movements that flow into the next make risk of injury very low.

A typical Tai Chi centre may allow visitors to drop by and see what the exercise is all about, which can also be beneficial for those who may be curious about this unusual exercise.

For more information about Tai Chi in Canada, visit Taoist

— Jessica Galang