Tai Chi Chuan for the Elderly

Tai Chi Chuan is a Chinese health exercise and martial art that should be practiced daily. Usually eight to fifteen minutes a day. However, the meditative and stress reducing effect is amplified if practiced for longer periods. Even seniors can benefit since it really has no age restriction.

Tai Chi is as a slow moving exercise that promotes stability, balance, and coordination. Balance is enhanced as the forms are practiced consistently and over a long period of time. The forms are coordinated with the practitioner’s breathing. The movements are flowing and it is a single weighted form; the practitioner’s weight distribution is such that one foot at a time has most of the body weight.

It is stress reducing as a meditative exercise as well as an effective martial art. Not only does it help promote deep breathing, but it is meditative so that helps reduce stress, particularly when practiced every day at the same time. After it is practiced for a longer period of time (usually years) the energy flow or chi feels stronger. Palms start to feel warm during practice and, as fighting art (you must remain relaxed), the energy flows with more intensity. This can translate to punches and kicks becoming more powerful.

Senior’s decrease their chances falling by practising tai chi for a period of time, as it enhances their physical balance. As important is the reduction of their fear of falling; this enhances their emotional balance.

Both equally important!

What does “chi” man and what does it feel like. When practicing the Tai Chi Chuan forms the energy, or “chi” is enhanced. Its development can only be effective if you are relaxed.

After a period of time, usually three to six months, fundemental learning of the tai chi form itself should be mastered. The next steps entail a focus on breathing and balance.

This is the beginning of developing your chi.