Tai Chi, as it is practiced in the west today, can perhaps best be thought of as a moving meditation.
There are a number of styles of Tai Chi. Many movements are originally derived from the martial arts although the way they are performed in Tai Chi is slowly, softly and gracefully with smooth and even transitions between them, as a meditative exercise for the body and mind.
Tai chi movements are slow, smooth and continuous, helping to strengthen internal muscles, like the deep stabilizers that support and strengthen the spine. Additionally, Tai Chi practitioners move against a gentle resistance to build full muscular strength. Slow and smooth movements calm the mind, helping to reduce falls resulting from sudden movements that lead to significant blood pressure drop, especially in elder people taking medication that can cause change of blood pressure.
Tai Chi Has an Important Role in the Future of Health Management.
Research has demonstrated that the practice of tai chi improves many components of health. Tai Chi for Arthritis, in particular, has been shown to help prevent falls and improve health and the quality of life. Additionally, it may prevent and/or improve the management of chronic diseases, particularly for our ageing population, and thus be an effective measure to save significant health care costs. The Milken Institute reports that the annual economic impact on the U.S. economy of the most common chronic diseases is calculated to be more than one trillion dollars. However, if the
impact of seven chronic diseases—diabetes, pulmonary conditions, hypertension, mental disorders, heart disease, cancers and stroke—could be prevented, by mid century the annual GDP could be reduced by six trillion dollars a year. Tai chi has a important role to play in preventing these chronic conditions and improving health and wellness. https://taichiforhealthinstitute.org/
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