What are the Benefits of Tai Chi?

By: Dr. Paul Lam
Tai Chi delivers many health benefits. It integrates the mind, body and spirit to promote mental and physical health. Most practitioners find it incredibly enjoyable and beneficial. Below is a summary of its benefits; it is difficult to cover so many of Tai Chi's amazing health benefits.

Medical studies have shown Tai Chi to be beneficial to almost all aspects of health. A recent study from Korean National University has found Tai Chi for Arthritis a safe program that improve pain, stiffness and life style for people with arthritis.

Doctors know that effective exercises for health should improve muscular strength, flexibility, and stamina. Tai Chi is proven to improve all of these components, as well as additional health benefits. Tai Chi improves relaxation, balance, posture, and immunity.

• Muscle strength is important for supporting and protecting joints, necessary for mobility and work.

• Flexibility exercises enable you to move better.

• Stamina or fitness is important for overall health and proper function of your heart, lungs, and muscles.

• Tai Chi movements emphasize the importance of weight transference, which helps balance and prevents falls.

Qi is the vital life energy that circulates throughout the body, performing many functions to maintain good health. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the stronger your Qi is, the healthier you are. Tai Chi has almost magical effects to improve health; many people believe this is because Tai Chi is designed to enhance Qi.

Tai Chi also:

• Improves concentration and memory
• Helps to relieve pain and stiffness from arthritis
• Improves posture and biomechanics
• Increases circulation, heart and lung function
• Integrates body and mind