Tai Chi: The Perfect Exercise for Older Adults

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When we speak of "exercise," the first thing that comes to mind for most people are heavy weights, treadmills and an intense workout regimen. For some, the word "exercise" would include jogging, running or brisk walking. But one thing is for sure; we can get a lot of benefits from exercising.

It bears stressing that exercise needs to be done in moderation. Well, practically almost everything needs to be done in moderation. Just like eating, moderation is the key to good health and a fit body. Too much of something can be bad for one’s health.

While high-intensity workouts fit best for athletes, the same cannot be said for beginners. That being said, you cannot expect guys with frail bodies to lift heavy weights. All the more if old people would do that. Imagine your 70-year-old grandpa bench presses his way to achieve a heavenly set of abdominal muscles. At the very least, watching him give his everything just to lift a single rep would be a very painful sight to see.

Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese martial art that involves slow but precise movements that focus heavily on breathing, balance and harmony. Since it’s mostly slow motion, Tai Chi is perfect for the elderly. More often, Tai Chi is also practiced for health reasons.

In addition, Tai Chi is also regarded as a mind-body exercise that helps promote total body coordination. It helps improve balance, as well as strength and flexibility. It has also been shown that Tai Chi practitioners have improved their immunity for certain diseases. Moreover, they have improved their cardiac functions, and have better sleep qualities.

Overall, Tai Chi greatly contributes to a happy life. It also improves awareness in the surroundings. But what makes Tai Chi more appealing is the fact that it greatly reduces stress. In effect, Tai Chi helps alleviate the burden of stress, which if not addressed could cause ill health.