Walking through an assisted living center or senior care facility you are confronted with a glaring reality that is difficult to ignore. Most of the residents are moving with the aid of a cane, walker or wheelchair. Those who are able to walk unassisted do so at a slow and deliberate pace talking each step as if they were traversing a minefield. Every venture out of their room carries with it the risk that this could be their last, for most are one fall away from a broken hip and total immobility and even death. Although not uncommon, this severe deterioration of general health and leg strength is preventable and often reversible. Tai Chi Chuan, the Great Ultimate Fist, offers the ideal recipe for improved mental, physical and spiritual health and a better overall life experience.

Seniors and mature adults often suffer from a host of mental and physical conditions. They are susceptible to numerous maladies that severely restrict their mobility and reduce the quality of their life. It is not unusual for mature adults to experience heart problems, poor circulation, osteo arthritis, forgetfulness, lack of coordination, muscle and leg weakness, pain, digestive and colon irregularities, kidney malfunction breathing difficulties, low bone density, poor posture and balance and a fear of falling.

Todays seniors come from generations that exercised little and had even less regard for a healthy diet. Many grew up during the Great Depression where survival and not personal health was of primary concern. Chen Style Tai Chi, created over 800 years ago by a Taoist, Chang San-Feng, was originally a fighting art. Yang Lu Chan popularized Tai Chi by drastically restructuring the form. He deleted several difficult jumps, leaps and aggressive kicks and punches and created a program suitable for all ages and physical conditions. His family continued to improve the style until it evolved into its present form known as Yang Family Style Large Frame which consists of 108 continuous movements designed to improve health, cure illness and revitalize the mind, body and spirit. The foundation of Tai Chi began with the 3000-year-old concept of Yin and Yang, the principal energy forces making up the universe. When these two opposing influences are in balance, the Chi or vital energy will be harmonious and health at and optimum level.

Tai Chi is considered one of the Nei Gong or internal arts, meaning its primary focus is to develop the body from the inside out. This is in contrast to Wai Gong, which emphasizes external muscle development. The 108 movements of Yang Style Tai Chi are a perfect blend of Yin and Yang energies, strengthening muscle tissue through the continuous tensing and relaxing motions; massaging the joints by the process of the slow, rhythmic transition from one movement to the next; and stimulating and exercising the internal organs as a result of the gentle twisting and turning of the waist.

As the body ages there is a natural tendency to reduce the level of mental and physical activity, which in turn sets the stage for what is known in Traditional Chinese Medicine as stagnation. The presence of stagnation always results in the deterioration of overall health and wellness. Regular practice of Tai Chi will improve posture, balance and flexibility, build strength and endurance, correct digestive irregularities, increase muscle and bone density, balance the metabolism, strengthen the immune system, relieve tension and stress, release anxiety, create a mind-body connection, enhance focus and awareness, release energy blocks, gain a sense of calmness and well-being and lessen mood swings. Tai Chi will also effectively treat chronic conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia and migraines.

Physically demanding activities such as jogging, weight lifting, high impact aerobics are not suitable for everyone. However, the slow and evenly paced movements of Tai Chi make it uniquely adaptable to young, old, strong and weak. The intensity of the training can be perfectly matched to the age and health of the participants much the same as a dimmer switch regulates the brightness of a light. This means that all people athletes, dancers, elderly will benefit from regular practice of Tai Chi. With 108 movements, there is a broad range of motion that exercises every cell of the body at a level that reaches deep into the very core.

There are no clothing or equipment requirements and just about any moderately sized space will work. The slow, relaxed pace of the form creates a unique bond where the mind sees the movements and transfers that vision to the physical body. With practice, the mind and body begin to act and re-act as one.

Who should do Tai Chi? Everyone will benefit whether it is your primary form of exercise or simply added to an existing program. The key is regular practice of the movements blended with meditation to attain a state of mindfulness. As your skill increases you will experience a new found understanding of yourself and the world around you.

2006 Edward Niam, All Rights Reserved

Edward Niam is the founder of the Institute for Self Healing located in Hudson, Ohio and creator of TaiQiGong Fitness Systems, a unique program for all ages blending the healing qualities of Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Meditation, Shaolin Kung Fu and Traditional Chinese Medicine to fine tune and recharge your mental, physical and spiritual health. He can be reached at 330-342-0838, edniam@instituteforselfhealing.com, and www.instituteforselfhealing.com.