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With a long-time love of Yoga and the mind -to- body connection I’ve gained from that, Tai Chi seemed a natural continuation along those lines. Having taken a few classes intermittently and enjoying watching the interesting movements, I was pleased to have the time be right to immerse myself more fully in this ancient practice.
The focus required and the attention to slow, small movements while breathing in a deliberate, rhythmic way really drew me in. Tai Chi has helped me be more aware of how I move and slow down to notice more details – not just in the practice, but in everyday activities.
Benefits include, among others, stress reduction, improved emotional well-being, and enhanced focus and cognitive function. These stand out as tools to use in everyday life in the hopes of feeling more empowered to manage our days. - - Nancy Neale, MINDSET ISSA Certified Instructor
The aging process seems to happen without notice until one day we find ourselves not reacting as quickly as we’d like. We become more sedentary throughout the day and motivation seems like a failure in willpower. What many people do not consider is that the body moves at the direction of the mind; their interconnected relationship is so powerful that less movement leads to less cognitive function, and vice versa. This cycle becomes hard to overcome – unless something is implemented that helps BOTH the mind and body.
Enter Tai Chi – the ancient practice of mindful movement. Movements are slower and rooted in foundational forms that support balance with intentional and structured patterns. Learning anything new is the root of neuroplasticity, making Tai Chi a perfect exercise for those who want to challenge the mind & body with low-impact work.
We often imagine the practice as we’ve seen it on television: slow moving groups of people in various poses. But there’s so much more going on than meets the eye! Since Tai Chi teaches the power of breath with movement, it’s considered a form of meditation AND research has found it improves pulmonary and cardiac function. See more at https://paahjournal.com/articles/10.5334/paah.70.
With practice, Tai Chi has the power to calm the central nervous system providing research-backed support for mental health, reduced anxiety, and elevated mood.
Being an ancient practice is not a bad thing. In fact, millions of people throughout the years have used Tai Chi to move functionally despite their age or health condition. You can find plenty of research backed studies to support the benefits, but the test of time seems like the best evidence yet.