Tag Archives: Self-Care

The Deeper Benefits of Tai Chi: Beyond Cognitive Improvement in Aging

Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are commonly associated with cognitive decline in older adults.

A systematic literature review conducted by Alex Pysklywec, et al in 2020, titled “The effectiveness of Tai Chi for short-term cognitive function improvement in the early stages of dementia in the elderly,” examined the potential benefits of Tai Chi for individuals in the early stages of dementia. Published in the Dove Press Journal: Clinical Interventions in Aging, the review concluded that regular practice of Tai Chi could support and potentially slow the progression of cognitive decline.

Cognitive Improvement Areas

The review highlighted several specific cognitive areas positively impacted by Tai Chi, including:

Global cognitive functions: Overall mental capabilities and performance.
Visuospatial skills: The ability to process and interpret visual information about where objects are in space.
Semantic memory: The aspect of memory involving the meaning of words and concepts.
Verbal learning/memory: The ability to remember and recall verbal information.
Self-perception of memory: How individuals perceive their memory capabilities.

These findings suggest that Tai Chi can be an effective non-pharmacological intervention for improving short-term cognitive function in elderly individuals experiencing early dementia.

Our Experience with Tai Chi

As Tai Chi enthusiasts and educators for over thirty years, our instructors have discoveries on the inside, that is as a practicing Tai Chi’er, is that Tai Chi goes deeper than this description. The students who have been practicing with the club for over a decade also have discovered these benefits.

The practice of Tai Chi encompasses a holistic approach to health and well-being, impacting various aspects of physical, mental, and emotional health. Here are some deeper insights into the benefits of Tai Chi that you might appreciate:

Physical Benefits

Improved Balance and Coordination: Tai Chi involves slow, deliberate movements that enhance balance and coordination, reducing the risk of falls in the elderly.
Increased Flexibility and Strength: Regular practice helps improve muscle strength, flexibility, and overall physical endurance.
Cardiovascular Health: Tai Chi can improve cardiovascular fitness, promoting better heart health and circulation.
Pain Management: Tai Chi has been shown to alleviate chronic pain conditions, such as arthritis, through gentle, low-impact movements.

Mental and Emotional Benefits

Stress Reduction: The meditative aspects of Tai Chi promote relaxation and reduce stress levels, contributing to better mental health.
Enhanced Mindfulness: Practicing Tai Chi encourages a state of mindfulness, fostering a greater awareness of the present moment and enhancing mental clarity.
Emotional Balance: Tai Chi helps in regulating emotions, promoting a sense of inner peace and emotional stability.

Spiritual and Holistic Benefits

Energy Flow (Qi): Tai Chi is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine principles, focusing on the flow of Qi (life energy) through the body. Practitioners often report a heightened sense of energy and vitality.
Mind-Body Connection: The practice emphasizes the connection between the mind and body, leading to a deeper understanding and integration of one’s physical and mental states.
Community and Social Interaction: Group practice fosters a sense of community and social support, which is beneficial for overall well-being.

Personal Insights

As someone deeply immersed in the practice, you might have personal insights that go beyond these general benefits. These could include:

Personal Growth: The discipline and dedication required for Tai Chi practice can lead to significant personal growth and self-discovery.
Inner Peace: Many long-term practitioners report a profound sense of inner peace and contentment that permeates their daily lives.
Life Philosophy: Tai Chi often becomes more than just a physical exercise; it evolves into a guiding philosophy for living a balanced and harmonious life.

In summary, while scientific research provides valuable insights into the cognitive benefits of Tai Chi, the practice’s full spectrum of benefits is best appreciated through personal experience and long-term dedication. Our extensive experience as a Tai Chi educators allows us to understand and convey these deeper dimensions to our students, enriching their practice and overall well-being.

How can you become involved?

At the Wine Country Tai Chi Society we are involved in many different program opportunities. Throughout the year we have full year, sessional, online, and thorough resources. Here is how you can get started…

Resources: YouTube houses hundred of videos to support a daily Tai Chi practice. The Tai Chi Wellness playlist has explanations, background, single exercises, and sequences that you can explore. The Seated Form is highlighted to provide a simple and powerful way for you to discover more about how your body functions, and to repattern postural and muscle patterns that have developed over the years but may not serve well in function and support for wellbeing. This series can be life changing for pain relief, strength and flexibility changes.
Wine Country Tai Chi Society offers several classes year round in West Kelowna, BC. Check out our full program list, and when new beginners can join in.
Online is offered through our partners at the Greenwell Center for Holistic Health. Please ask us more if you would like the link to join in.

Support your Wellness Plan

Don’t wait until you experience the signs of aging to do something. Become your own health advocate and build your wellness plan with support from the Wine Country Tai Chi Society.

The Power of Meditation, Moving Meditation!

In a recent article released by Tai Chi Basics, they explore the power of meditation and your self-care. For many people it is difficult to sit and be still, or they may have been sitting for hours all day and they really need to get moving, more sitting is not appealing.

This is where Tai Chi comes in. The moving patterns in Tai Chi are a form of Moving Meditation. That is, you gain the quietness, deep breathing, and centered feeling while flexing, strengthening and spiraling the body. This approach enhances the communication between organ systems, creates whole-body movement patterns that strengthen the way you move as you age or lead a sitting lifestyle at work or home, and deepens the breath.

What are the benefits of moving meditation? Calm the monkey mind, stretch and strengthen the muscles and tissue of the body, create a storage center of energy to use throughout your day, to ease sleep challenges, to moved the breath deeper into the body for mental clarity and system support, release of tension in areas that may have been problems for years (neck, shoulder, hip, back, lower back, hamstrings, ankles), restless legs, and more.

Join a class today, celebrate with us on World Tai Chi and Qi Gong Day April 29th, and join us in the park all summer long.

Here is the link to the Meditation article by Tai Chi Basics…put Tai Chi on your wellness plan!

Tai Chi empowers the body with strength and flexibility by spiraling, our movements are unique over regular exercise forms.

When we choose a program for exercise, what are we really signing up for? Tai Chi is a slow, gentle, powerful transformation for living!

Most of us sign up for exercise class to help us with getting active, building leg strength, finding some flexibility we may have lost, and to be more energized. We may have tried different sports, walking, hiking, running, yoga, pilates, etc. They may have kept our interest, but not supported all the needs of the body with its aches and complaints. What do you do if your favorite activity is causing you some pain, or you don’t have the strength or flexibility to continue with it?

At this point, you may be thinking about what Tai Chi looks like in the park in the summertime, and how the slow movements look so fluid. Something you always thought of trying, but never did. Why not? What might this ancient art have to offer you and your wellness plan?

On December 3^rd, Wine Country Tai Chi Society offered a special workshop to explore what Tai Chi really offers those who sign up for a class – transformation. Michelle Greenwell, of Tai Chi Cape Breton, and a Ph.D. (final) in Complementary and Integrative Health, shared the true healing power of Tai Chi. She encouraged the participants to let go of the old paradigm that they needed exercise. They explored the stress that the idea of exercise brings into the body and where in the body it influences each person. She invited the group to explore the idea of transformation.

Transformation is the opportunity for ease and flow to spread through the body as the organ systems and the energy circuits open and balance. Once in this balanced stated, the systems can operate together in harmony, and they are supported by a constant and abundant energy flow.

The group explored how emotions can appear in overload when there are blocks in the system and the body is stressed. This can lead to feelings of anxiety or fear, or judgment, or anger and resentment without real provocation. Together the group explored how simple movement patterns can harmonize the emotions and release thoughts and ideas that have been through a stressed lens.

The group also explored the power of spiral movement, found throughout all the Tai Chi moves, and how it engages receptors in the body that feed the brain and enhance its function. Through the spiral moves the group felt the difference in whole body harmony, as opposed to isolated movements found in activities that keep the movements straight.

Figure eight patterns were a favorite by the group as they explored how this energetic pattern can harmonize the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia. Found throughout the Tai Chi movements, it was easy to see the layers of power within simple actions.

The group was able to realize some new ideas about their own body and their stress level, and how engaging in Tai Chi daily can release that tension, open up for ease with breathing, and to expand joints, lift the spine, and balance the pelvis and shoulders.

Here are a couple of quotes from participants:

Change your thinking, Change your Chi!

I am so excited about this journey and you sharing your wisdom further inspires me.

Have you been thinking about what to do for your wellness plan in 2023? Have you considered how Tai Chi might be able to enhance your daily energy, increase your strength, expand your flexibility, help you to breathe deeply throughout the day, introduce you to a whole new group of friends with the same wellness goals?

WCTCS is welcoming new students to their classes in January and February. A great place to start is with the Friday classes that raise your body awareness and help you identify where the stress is being held in the body. From there you can expand to other daytime and evening classes based on your schedule. Check out the full schedule in the class listings. You can get connection with the group by emailing winecountrytaichi@gmail.com or calling Yvonne at 778-755-0987 to speak with an instructor. We look forward to seeing you expand your wellness toolbox and build a strong plan for health and well-being success in 2023!

Creating Balance and Flow with your Tai Chi Practice

2022-Balance-and-Flow-for-Well-being Download

Wine and Chi!

We have three events leading us into the fall and we would love to have you join us there. This is a great chance to learn more about Tai Chi, try a few movements, and then follow it all up with a Wine Tasting from our favorite sponsors!

To register please click here

Grizzli Winery – August 20th

Kalala Winery – September 10th

Truck 59 Cider House – September 17th

We have so much fun outdoors, amongst the vines and grapes, sharing with others, empowering our self-care with the energy boosting of Tai Chi, and socializing at the end.