| Tai Chi: The Ancient Path to Stress Free Living |
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| Morné Swanepoel | |||
| Thursday, 14 June 2007 | |||
  One can hardly pick up a newspaper or magazine or watch TV without seeing or hearing some reference to stress. Why all the sudden fuss and fascination? After all, stress has been around since Adam and Eve were evicted from the Garden of Eden. Is it because there is much more stress today? Is it because the nature of contemporary stress is somehow different and more dangerous? Or is it because scientific research has increasingly confirmed the crucial role stress can play in causing and aggravating different disorders and the diverse mechanisms of actions responsible for mediating its multitudinous effects? Stress is the "wear and tear" our bodies experience as we adjust to our continually changing environment; it has physical and emotional effects on us and can create positive or negative feelings. As a positive influence, stress can help compel us to action; it can result in a new awareness and an exciting new perspective. As a negative influence, it can result in feelings of distrust, rejection, anger, and depression, which in turn can lead to health problems such as headaches, upset stomach, rashes, insomnia, ulcers, high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. With the death of a loved one, the birth of a child, a job promotion, or a new relationship, we experience stress as we readjust our lives. In so adjusting to different circumstances, stress will help or hinder us depending on how we react to it. Tai chi (ti-chee) is sometimes described as "meditation in motion." Originally developed in China as a form of self-defence, this graceful form of exercise has existed for about 2,000 years. It's becoming increasingly popular around the world, both as a basic exercise program and as a complement to other health care methods. Health benefits include stress reduction, greater balance, muscular development/control and increased flexibility — especially for older adults. When I began practicing Tai Chi in 1990 the thing that struck me about it was its power or at least the promise of its power and healing benefits. What I went on to witness and discover was that there was nothing mystical or particularly esoteric about the power of Tai Chi it was more just a case of doing it, following Tai Chi’s unique set of principles and just witnessing what arose within me. The benefits of Tai Chi are immense and include improved co-ordination, circulation, posture, balance and wellbeing. Because Tai Chi is practiced slowly and with a relaxed focus the nervous system becomes calmer and so do you. This meditative effect gives you a clearer perspective mentally and in today’s fast and hectic world this can only be a huge resource. In fact the stress relieving attributes are one of the main reasons why people start Tai Chi as it gives them a calm mind and real sense of physical, emotional and spiritual health and wellbeing. Tai Chi started a long time ago so it’s had time to develop and evolve into what we see today. This slow process of change which has happened to Tai Chi over the centuries is mirrored in the way Tai Chi is practiced i.e. at a meditative pace with no rush to complete it’s intricate and engrossing movements. The softness and flow of tai chi make you relax (you just can’t help it!) but it’s a rejuvenating kind of relaxation. At the end of a Tai Chi class people are buzzing with Qi (life-force), as the practice encourages your energy to flow and tension and blockages just seem to dissolve away. It all sounds very blissful and beautiful, which it is but you do have to put a little effort in to get the results. It’s hard to get your head around that something so graceful and elegant when it can be used for self defense too, but then again there is an old Chinese saying that ‘the best fighters never fight’ i.e. if you have no enemies internally or externally then there is no need for conflict. The philosophy behind Tai Chi (Taoism) is really useful too and includes the theory that if you fight force with force any conflict will get worse. It teaches yielding and flexibility to overcome any situation. This can diffuse a situation leaving room for negotiation and dialogue. When you take something like that into your daily life then you have gained a distinct advantage. Yielding encourages listening and when you listen you gain more information and it is easier to see where someone is coming from. In the workplace such a strategy would create less stress for everyone! Part of the physiological aspect of Tai Chi includes the effect it has on our brain, our lymphatic system and our joints. Recent neurological research has found that Tai Chi practice encourages the brain to perform more effectively. This is partly due to the brain receiving more oxygenated blood (as the breathing technique in Tai Chi improves lung capacity and elasticity) but also because the meditative, calming effect of Tai Chi changes the brains frequency from beta (active normal waking waves) to alpha (receptive between sleep and awake waves which are related to improved ability to learn and remember). The lymphatic system is partly responsible for detoxifying the blood and is stimulated by the gentle muscular work in Tai Chi. The soft relaxed movements of Tai Chi massage the lymph nodes improving their function and boosting the immune system. The joints of the body are often where aches and pains first creep in so maintaining healthy active joints is important at any age. Because the load bearing joints of the body are kept in strong alignment throughout Tai Chi and are never abused nor greatly impacted upon, their health and function is protected whilst the circulation of blood in and around the joints is increased. In the competitive marketplace, retention of quality employees is often determined by the scope of the compensation package each company extends. Numerous companies worldwide are now incorporating a ‘Tai Chi break’ to expose their employees to this therapeutic art to improve performances. What makes the ‘Tai Chi break’ so popular in the corporate world is the fact that no expensive outlay for equipment is needed. No special workspace is necessary. Best of all it has been proven all over the world that the employees become more productive when being exposed to regular sessions. “Tai Chi is an uniquely powerful system of exercise, healing, meditation, and martial art. So efficient the Chinese government subsidizes individuals to teach this art to its populace... one-and-a-half billion people.” - USA Stress Organisation Who is Tai Chi for? If you're trying to improve your general health, you may find Tai Chi helpful as part of your program. Tai Chi is generally safe for people of all ages and levels of fitness. Studies have shown that for older adults Tai Chi can improve balance and reduce the risk of falls. Because the movements are low impact and put minimal stress on your muscles and joints, Tai Chi is appealing to many older adults. For these same reasons, if you have a condition such as arthritis or you're recovering from an injury, you may find it useful. Tai Chi can offer both physical and mental benefits no matter what your age. It's used to:
Tai Chi hasn't been studied scientifically until recently. Preliminary research shows that for older adults, in particular, practicing Tai Chi regularly may:
When learned correctly and practiced regularly, Tai Chi can be a very positive form of exercise:
Because Tai Chi is slow and gentle, it has virtually no negative side effects. It's possible you could strain yourself or "overdo" things when first learning, but with proper instruction, this shouldn't pose a barrier to practicing Tai Chi. How to learn Tai Chi To gain the full benefits of Tai Chi and reduce the small risk of injury, learn the correct way to do the postures and movements. Strict attention to your body position and breathing are critical, so it's best to study directly under a qualified teacher. As you attend a series of classes, the instructor can give you personal guidance and correct any errors in your approach before they become habit. As you practice, you learn how to do Tai Chi without straining your muscles and joints. Having the support of a dynamic Association one can also learn from Multimedia productions i.e. Instructional DVD’s & tapes. Once you're comfortable with the Tai Chi basics, you can do it by yourself. You may find it helpful to practice Tai Chi in the same place and at the same time every day. You'll likely experience some health benefits right away, but they probably won't be dramatic. Be patient. Health benefits accumulate over time. Although Tai Chi is generally safe, consider talking with your doctor before starting a new program. This is particularly true if you have any problems with your joints, spine or heart.
Disclaimer: Harmonious Living is written for and read by a community of individuals with strong and independent opinions. While the publishers of Harmonious Living are dedicated to providing a forum in which views can be openly expressed, those views do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers.
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