Renee Neltner
In order to understand how Tai Chi affects stress levels, we need to understand what it actually is. "Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese tradition that, today, is practiced as a graceful form of exercise. It involves a series of movements preformed in a slow, focused manner and accompanied by deep breathing" (Mayo Clinic).
"Tai chi’s movements provide a whole-body workout, engaging muscle groups that may be inactive or misused in daily life" (Lee, Harvard). "Lee explained that tai chi practitioners seek to make their bodies impervious not just to physical attack, but also to disease and the effects of aging".
"Tai Chi is an effective way to reduce stress. The mental focus of the mind leading the movement, thinking only of the movement, interferes with and turns off the worry process. With its attention to detail, the balance and coordination required by the slow, controlled movements, Tai Chi leaves no mind space for ruminating on the hassles of the day. The slow, flowing shifts of balance, the regular deep breathing, the harmonious turning of the limbs, the slow, pulsing openings and closings of the Tai Chi forms calm and relax the mind and body" (Charles Tsiu).
Tai Chi not only helps with stress levels, it can help with your aerobic capacity, increase energy and stamina, increase flexibility, balance, agility, muscle strength and definition. It can also help with enhancing your quality of sleep, boost your immune system, lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels, decrease joint pain, and improve symptoms of congestive heart failure.
Sources:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/tai-chi/SA00087
http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2012/06/add-tai-chi-to-reduce-stress/
http://www.tai-chi-fitness-for-health.com/tai-chi-mental-health-stress.html
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