Welcome to our HEALTH section.

As you may already know, Tai-Chi can be practiced at any age and practiced to a level of intensity that best suits your goals whether they be learning how to relax, using Tai-Chi as an aid to recovering from an injury or illness, developing improved flexibility,posture and balance,improving fitness and whole body muscle tone, working on building up the body’s “chi” {internal energy} etc.

Chen style Tai Chi is fast becoming the most popular form of Tai Chi in the world today. Chen style exercises regulate all systems within the body improving digestion, respiration and circulation. (See bottom of this page for Health PDF's with more information)

The slow, relaxed manner of Tai Chi can lead to a reduction in stress-related disorders.

The low-impact nature of the routines improves the condition of bones, joints and muscles without strain whilst encouraging balance, focus, flexibility and coordination.

Tai Chi is recognised by the Chinese Government and many Health Institutes around the world as the form of exercise that offers one of the greatest all-round benefits to health.

Western Medicine is just starting to test the health benefits of Tai Chi and some of the results have been remarkable. These results are due to a combination of the benefits of meditation, stance training, where pressure is placed on the bones, the twisting of the torso and the flow of chi (i.e. energy) and blood.

Tai Chi consists of constant coordinated movement of the head, trunk and limbs requiring tremendous concentration and balance control.

The movements and philosophy of Tai Chi teach people to relax, slow down, coordinate their mind and body, and improve posture.

Use of slow movements and increased strength and balance in Tai Chi has been proven to reduce the risk of falling for many individuals. This is of benefit to both stroke sufferers and osteoporosis sufferers.

Tai Chi Benefits Arthritis/Osteoporosis

Tai Chi for Arthritis helps arthritis by improving muscular strength, flexibility and fitness through gentle movements of all joints, muscles and tendons throughout the body.

Arthritic joints and tissues need a good supply of blood and oxygen for healing. Better circulation of blood, fluid and oxygen also helps keep joints flexible and muscles strong. Tai Chi gradually increases the level of fitness.

Improved Fitness will strengthen the heart, lungs and increase stamina, circulation of blood, fluid and oxygen.

Medical studies have shown Tai Chi improves balance, reduces falls, slows down the loss of bone density and helps relieve pain in osteoporosis patients.

The conventional medical world has welcomed the use of Tai Chi as they see it as a safe, low cost meditative exercise with many health benefits.

Meditation

Meditation is an important part of Tai Chi and there are numerous health benefits associated with meditation:

 It decreases respiratory rate.

 It increases blood flow and slows the heart rate.

 Increases exercise tolerance in heart patients.

 Leads to a deeper level of relaxation. Good for people with high blood pressure as it brings the blood pressure to normal.

 Reduces anxiety attacks by lowering the levels of blood lactate.

 Decreases muscle tension (any pain due to tension) and headaches.

 It increases serotonin production which influences mood and behaviour. Low levels of serotonin are associated with depression, obesity, insomnia and headaches. Reduces Pre- menstrual Syndrome.

 Helps in post-operative healing.

 It enhances the immune system.

Depression & Anxiety

Emerging research indicates that Tai Chi can help reduce the incidence of depression, anxiety, and mood disturbance in regular practitioners.

By a process of relaxing muscular tensions, improving posture, and a deepening of the breathing process, Tai Chi affects, in a positive way, the stress levels of the mind and emotions.

All tension and stress are expressions of imbalance. Therefore the cultivation of improved balance, as a mind/body experience, has a significant influence on reducing stress.

PDF's - Click title to open

Blood Pressure

Nervous System

Osteoporosis

Diabetes

Balance Study