What you need to know about Tai Chi

What is Tai Chi?

Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese tradition that, today, has evolved into a graceful form of exercise that connects the mind and body in continuous flowing movements to maintain or restore your health.  Often described as meditation in motion, Tai Chi promotes serenity through a series of movements performed in a slow, focused manner. Each posture flows into the next without pause, ensuring that your body is in constant motion and promoting increased flexibility and balance.

Why try Tai Chi?

When learned correctly and performed regularly, Tai Chi can be a positive part of an overall approach to improving your health. The benefits of Tai Chi may include:

  • Improved flexibility, balance and agility
  • Improved muscle strength and coordination
  • Reduced stress, anxiety and depression
  • Improved concentration and memory
  • Improved circulation
  • Increased energy and vitality
  • Make new friends

Who can do Tai Chi?

Tai Chi is low impact and puts minimal stress on muscles and joints, making it generally safe for all ages and fitness levels. Tai Chi, is at your pace, for your ability, to maximize your health.  It is non-competitive and a complete exercise program.  You may also find Tai Chi appealing because it’s inexpensive and requires no special equipment. You can do Tai Chi anywhere, including indoors or outside.

Recent studies indicate Tai Chi may help with a range of medical problems, including Parkinson’s, MS, Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, Lupus, Rehabilitation from stroke and hip and knee replacement muscle recovery, memory and stress reduction.

 How to get started with Tai Chi

Although you can rent or buy videos and books about Tai Chi, consider seeking guidance from a qualified Tai Chi instructor to gain the full benefits and learn proper techniques. Attending class gives you the opportunity of learning the moves correctly and getting feedback from the instructor to prevent injury.  Feeling the energy of the class around you is also a benefit.  Wine Country Tai Chi Society’s sole purpose is to promote the practice of Tai Chi for relaxation and health in the Okanagan.  See the Classes page for information on our current classes.

Maintaining the benefits of Tai Chi

While you may gain some benefit from a Tai Chi class that lasts 12 weeks or less, you will enjoy greater benefits if you commit to Tai Chi for the long term which allows you to become more skilled and relaxed with the form.  “The Journey Is The Reward”.

As your Tai Chi practice goes deeper, you will be able to understand the power of the movements to move and release water in and around the systems. Circulation, lymphatic flow, and edema can be supported by regular daily Tai Chi practice.