What is well planted cannot be uprooted.
(Lao Tzu)
Why should senior
citizens learn tai chi?
Tai chi is a recommended form of
exercise for senior citizens.
The slow relaxed movements provide a
gentle workout without the risk of injury or discomfort.
Most people do not really know how to relax, to breathe fully, to move
comfortably and easily - the system will show them how.
There is no
age limit for commencing tai chi, all a person needs is the
willingness to try something new.
Improved health
Tai chi strengthens the bones
and muscle tissue whilst keeping the joints as relaxed and mobile as
possible.
Natural movement and flexibility are encouraged.
As the body loosens it will lengthen and widen; this promotes a good flow of
energy
and improves
health.
A
tai chi workout will circulate blood throughout the body and massage the
internal organs without placing strain on the body.
Falling
Classes in
tai chi improve confidence and balance among the elderly.
In
our system there are exercises
which require a person to learn how to balance completely before
stepping.
A student must learn how to step carefully and how to shift
weight
gradually.
Increased physical sensitivity and
awareness also contribute to reduce the risk of falling.
Liz Koch, author of
The Psoas Book wrote:
The fear of falling is an instinctual reflex. When a person falls off a roof, out of a tree, is thrown from a horse or propelled forward in a car crash, the psoas is activated. A major flexor muscle, and an essential part of the instinctive fear reflex, the psoas pulls the extremities together into a foetal pose, creating an enclosure, a sense of safety and protection for the soft, vulnerable parts of the body: genitals, belly organs, lungs, heart and face. Curled, the spine gives the necessary resilience and strength against the imminent blow.
Core stability
Standing
qigong exercises are also used to build up
leg
strength and lengthen the psoas muscle.
Tai chi actually develops stronger bones and muscle tissue to aid physical
support.
A healthy, relaxed psoas muscle will improve
stability and balance when faced with
falling.
Liz Koch:
The awareness of bones as support is an integral part of freeing the psoas.
As the psoas releases, the outward rotators (one of the counterbalancing
muscles to the psoas) will re-establish tone. Your client may express
amazement that it takes so little effort to keep the legs upright.
Quality of life
Tai chi is not going to cure
every ailment.
Increased mobility, flexibility, sensitivity and balance contribute to
making a person feel energised and happy.
This form of exercise offers an improved standard of
living for people as
they grow older.
Page created 1 February 1999