Watching Tai Chi in Kowloon Park Hong Kong
I have a memory. It is of my best friend Rachel doing Tai Chi at Kowloon Park in Hong Kong on one of our press trips. She joined in a group of people practicing this ancient art of movement. At the time she was in her late 40’s and the others were all ages, with the average age being in their 70’s or 80’s. I watched and took photos and videos. I wish that I had joined in, but my back was hurting. Now I realize just how GOOD it would have been for my aching back at the time. That being said…I realized that it’s never too late to learn and I found a group who practices in a park not far from me. It is easy to socially distance when you’re exercising outdoors standing in your spot outside. Seniors like me require exercise just as much as anyone else, but some activities can be tough on aging bodies. I know, because I have spinal stenosis and some other back and hip issues. Running, aerobics and anything that isn’t gentle is out of the question. That’s where Tai Chi comes to the rescue. Tai Chi is an effective workout anyone can enjoy by mastering a few simple basics.
What is Tai Chi?
The literal translation of Tai Chi is supreme ultimate boxing. There are several theories about how Tai Chi got started, but it certainly has its origins in martial arts. It’s a low-impact workout that you can do alone or in groups with no special equipment. And you can do it anywhere! There are several major styles of Tai Chi that all stress balance and harmony. Yang and Sun are good choices for beginners and they will give you a lot of room to learn and grow.
The Benefits of Tai Chi
- It helps develop correct posture. Tai Chi teaches proper alignment so you’ll instantly look better and have better posture. It also relieves backaches and helps you to better digest your food. Hence it is one of my first choices for getting daily exercise.
- You get a whole body workout. By engaging your whole body, you burn more calories. The slow methodical movements help touild strength and flexibility and slow down bone loss.
- Enhances your coordination. All that swaying and shifting your weight will give you a greater sense of balance. Your daily activities will become easier and you’ll reduce your risk for accidental falls and injuries. It’s all about finding your center.
- You’ll find it brightens your mood. The dance-like steps in Tai Chi are a proven antidote for stress. The movements allow your mind to slow down and relax. By concentrating on coordinating your feet and hands , it will help you let go of your worries and live in the present moment.
- Talk with your doctor. Many studies show that Tai Chi can help manage conditions like arthritis, high blood pressure, and chronic pain. Of course, you should always ask your physician if it’s right for you.
The Basics of Tai Chi
- Get into position. Lift your head and tuck your pelvis. Draw your shoulders down and back. As your chest opens, you automatically start breathing deeper.
- Work both sides. Repeat all movements on the left and right sides of your body. Most beginners will discover that they have a dominant side, but you can enhance your symmetry with practice.
- Breathe from your abdomen. Inhale from your lower abdomen, drawing air upwards through your middle abdomen and chest. Exhale in reverse. Match your breath to your movement, but avoid holding your breath.
- Warm-up and cool down. The warm-ups will put you in a more receptive frame of mind. The cool-downs relieve any discomfort that may build up in your muscles or joints.
- Boost your energy. Traditional beliefs about Tai Chi credit it for getting your Qi, or life energy, flowing. Try massaging the pressure point in your palms after your warm-up and before your regular session. 😉
- Practice standing meditation. Some Tai Chi routines include a meditation that you can perform while standing up. Mastering Tai Chi will give you a meditation technique you can use anytime during the day to generate peace and contentment. What a great tool to have for managing the stress in your life.
- Find an instructor. Tai Chi looks simple, but good form is required to reap all the benefits. Thanks to its growing popularity, you can now find qualified instructors all around the country. There are even programs designed especially for seniors where you can make new friends and progress at your own pace. Look into public classes like I have. If you live in a warmer climate, you may find outdoor classes year-round.
- Study independently It’s easy to get started with Tai Chi and there are many opportunities to go deeper. Visit your local library or ask your instructor to recommend books and DVDs on Tai Chi. Explore the underlying philosophy of it and other forms such as Chen and Wu. Check with your cable company to see if they offer free recorded classes.
Tai Chi is great for both your mental and physical well-being. These powerful exercises can help seniors like me stay in shape with little risk of injury. 
