The 10 benefits of Tai Chi (physical and mental)

Healthy physical practices are necessary precisely to maintain optimal health, not just to help have an ideal figure and a strong body, but an active mind, motivating energy and a shock-proof immune system everything.

Movement is essential to enjoy a dynamic organism, that is to say, the complete functioning of the internal organism, so that the favorable results can be seen outside.

However, many people put aside the importance of dedicating a portion of their daily time to focus on physical exercise. Either because they are busy, exhausted or the options that exist do not interest them or do not accommodate their needs. But if you are one of these people, Have you ever thought about practicing Tai Chi?

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If you do not know this ancient physical technique or are intrigued to know a little more about it, stay in this article because we will talk about the benefits that Tai Chi can have on your lifestyle.

What is Tai Chi?

Also known as Tai-chi or Tai chi chuan (which etymologically means "sublime ultimate fist"),

It is considered as a martial art practice and even as a physical sport in China, which is its place of origin, development and evolution. Being a very popular and respected activity that is practiced all over the world today. It was considered as an internal martial art, developed for hand-to-hand fighting, but over time it evolved into an activity that connects the body with the spirit and mind of the person.

It is made up of a series of sequences of movements that represent elements of nature connected to the human being. They work on balance and physical strength, as well as mental concentration and emotional tranquility to correctly perform these movements. This spiritual characteristic is due to the influence of Taoism, where those who practiced it could have a better control of your internal energy or ´chi´, manage it, redirect and strengthen it on any occasion that need.

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How is Tai Chi practiced?

This sequence of continuous movements brings multiple benefits to the health of those who practice it, because they can work all the muscles of their body, activate higher brain functions and appease your emotions in order to perform the exercises correctly, thus bringing a noticeable improvement in your lifestyle.

These movements are fluid, slow and smooth, even though it was originally developed for close combat. For this reason, it is necessary that, during its performance, you find yourself in a state of relaxation and openness, so that your body can swing at its own pace, feeling how the energy is concentrated and distributed throughout the same. Here speed, agitation or pressure for a perfect movement does not exist or is valid.

Tai Chi Modalities

There are two modalities of this physical activity, which can be practiced depending on your physical condition. Know what they are.

1. Taichi yang

This modality is ideal for those who cannot perform high impact exercises, lift forces or be too demanding. They are made up of long, smooth and fluid movements, where the purpose is to strengthen muscles and physical elasticity, improve concentration, release worries and work breathing.

2. Tai chi chen

On the other hand, this modality is more for people who have greater body resistance and seek to release energy or a dynamic physical activity. It is about maintaining an uninterrupted state of relaxation and then releasing a firm and fluid movement. However, these movements are not that demanding, so you do not need to have a high physical resistance to perform them.

Benefits of Tai Chi for our health

As it is a complete physical activity, Tai Chi can bring us various benefits that we can take advantage of.

1. Diverse activity

Tai Chi is a practice where, as we have already mentioned, you work your entire body, so you can observe favorable results in your figure. But it also helps other areas of your body such as balance, orientation, coordination and muscle tone. However, do not make the mistake of believing that it is a simple activity, because it has a demand that you will feel in your whole being when you finish the session.

2. It does not involve complications

As they are low impact routines, you do not need to lift weights or have a high level of physical resistance, it is indicated for people of any age and of course, it does not pose a risk to health or that can generate injuries or tears muscular. As long as you become aware of properly performing all positions, instead of forcing or rushing them.

3. Meditation in motion

In this way, Tai chi is also known, since you exercise your mind and your emotions to achieve a balance and stability that allow you to put aside worries and focus on the activity. Of course, bringing after results of calm and relaxation.

4. Mood balance

Thanks to emotional and psychological work, you get an improvement in the mood and general energy of the body. So that you can face problems with a more positive attitude, avoid wearing yourself out as the day goes by, change your lifestyle and have a better disposition to deal with problems everyday.

5. Improve your stamina

Although they are simple and low-impact exercises, it has enough strength for the body to appreciate it, in what way? reducing daily fatigue, avoiding physical exhaustion caused by stress, generating greater resistance to travel long distances, increase muscle tone or helping to have that figure ideal.

This is because there is a notable increase in blood circulation, in the flexibility of the skin, in brain oxygenation and in the regeneration of skin cells. Which also brings the plus of making our skin a fresh and rejuvenated wonder.

6. Combat diseases of the body

Such as arterial, heart and gastrointestinal diseases, problems falling and maintaining a good night's sleep, general discomfort and mental degeneration. Again this is because your body is in motion and once it reaches the ideal balance, it will fight the damaging actions of stress on its own.

7. Improves the respiratory system

This is due to the work of deep and guided breathing that controls both the amounts of breaths we must take and their correct expulsion. In the same way, it helps to expand the chest and teaches new breathing techniques that help to have better control of it and turn it into a relaxation tool of its own.

8. Development of a new skill

Best of all, it is a skill that helps you with your physical health and find yourself. Which allows you better control over your health and emotional responses to better focus on your performance on a day-to-day basis, even outside of Taichi routines.

9. Help in orientation

Perhaps this benefit is not observed of great importance, but by not having good control of balance or body balance, we are prone to injury when walking, running or improperly lifting something heavy. In the same way, this activity is ideal for those who have difficulties with orientation and gross motor control, since it strengthens the mind to concentrate on the correct work.

10. Reduce pain

As we work breathing in conjunction with muscle and mental relaxation, we can use this new ability to control our response to the automatic levels of pain to it, in order that it decreases and does not cause discomfort durable.

Extra tips to take into account

You do not need to have prior preparation to start in this millenary practice, but you can take into account the following tips.

• If you are not comfortable with your current physical condition, then you can take previous walks for a couple of weeks. This will help you have a greater resistance and avoid getting tired so soon.

• If you want to start in this practice but do not know how, then seek the guidance of an expert in Taichi For guidance, sign up for classes in this activity or look for guided video tutorials to take at home.

• Practice in a place where there are no distracting elements, instead try to do it in your garden, a quiet park or play relaxing music to help you focus on the exercises.

• Wear comfortable clothing that allows you freedom of movement, that does not cause irritation or cause tension in the muscles to avoid injury.

• Remember to be honest with yourself and do the modality that best suits your current health situation. Then you can go placing more demands on yourself to increase your resistance.

• Keep an open mind and leave prejudices behind, the idea is that you can feel better about yourself with an active work that is reflected on the outside. It does not matter if at the beginning you do not do it completely well, with practice you will improve, do not worry Nor that your classmates can point to you because they were once beginners and will understand your situation.

As you can see, there are other alternatives in addition to exercises in the gym or body resistance, which you can enjoy and obtain great benefits. Will you dare to join the world of Tai Chi?