Should You Try Tai-chi?

I’ve seen groups of people in the park during early mornings doing some calming moves which to me seem like a much friendlier version of martial arts. Tai-chi is an ancient Chinese practice of slow and deliberate movements that aim to produce balance and relaxation. Its effects are not just great for the body but for the brain as well. According to a certain study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, people who practice tai-chi have lower risks of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Isn’t that great?

Here are other health benefits of tai-chi that may encourage you to try it:

• Better sleep – This can be experienced after you relax your body and mind with the calming tai-chi movements. It also lessens levels of anxiety and helps alleviate depression, too!
• Better health in general – Since tai-chi relaxes your body and brain while being a form of exercise as well, you can expect improved mood, reduced pain, better physical function, and improved overall flexibility.
• Improved bone density – According to studies, the slow movements of tai-chi can help you have improved bone density and a better sense of balance.
• Reduced pain – Patients who have rheumatoid arthritis and other similar joint concerns may gently exercise their joints without hurting themselves and consequently alleviating the pain.
• Benefits for the brain – One of the top benefits that may make you want to try tai-chi is that it has the effect of thickening the brain’s cortex. This is why it can help protect the one who does tai-chi from Alzheimer’s disease and depression among other neurological conditions related to the thinning of the brain’s cortex.

So, is tai-chi for you? If you have a history of Alzheimer’s, depression, sleeping problems, joint health concerns, and an overall need for wellness, you can definitely try tai-chi. It can work great for people who have high-stress environments and give the body and mind the relaxation they need.

If you have the time, it would be best to take tai-chi classes to have the proper introduction to tai-chi. After you get the basic moves, you can practice tai-chi at home from anywhere between 10-20 minutes, depending on how much you feel like doing!