What is Tai Chi?
Tai Chi is a slow gentle exercise, sometimes called moving meditation, that is suitable for the elderly and infirm, yet demanding enough to pose a significant challenge to young athletes. Tai Chi exercises regulate all systems within the body improving digestion, respiration and circulation, stimulates the central nervous system, lowers blood pressure, cholesterol, and reduces coronary heart disease.
The low-impact nature of the routines improves the condition of bones, joints and muscles without strain whilst encouraging internal energy, balance, focuses, flexibility and co-ordination to promote health and vitality within the individual. It is one of the few exercises that improves balance, co-ordination, flexibility, muscle strength and cardiovascular health the same beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system as jogging or high-impact aerobics, but without the stress and strain.
Tai Chi develops flexibility, toning muscles in the lower body, increasing strength of lower limbs – especially the thighs, buttocks and calves to improve balance (thus preventing falls), and since the movements are performed while standing assist in bone formation and strengthening that helps to prevent the onset of osteoporosis.