The health and wellness benefits of Tai Chi have been widely publicized, especially when it comes to improving posture, balance and preventing falls for seniors. Indeed, a quick Google search on the topic comes up with over ten million results. But many of the articles sound so clinical. That’s why I decided not to rehash statistics and studies. Instead I want to share with you how and why I fell in love with Tai Chi and encourage you to give it a try.
I’m a pianist and composer living in New York City for the past 40 years. In terms of physical activity, I was in fairly good shape until I had a severe health crisis four years ago at 62 years of age.
Out of nowhere, I woke up one morning and couldn’t move my left arm and had trouble walking. Diagnosed at the hospital with a spinal infection, I went into surgery and after 2 titanium screws were surgically installed in the vertebra inside my neck, I was eventually sent home, put to bed and spent 2 months on an intravenous feed. I was almost paraplegic at the beginning, but thankfully, the nerves weren’t dead. The doctors were not sure how much or what kind of a recovery I would have.
Find out what's happening in Park Slopefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Physical therapy helped a lot, but after I was around 60% recovered my insurance company stopped payments for the PT. That’s when I turned to Tai Chi, a method for unifying body, mind and spirit practiced by hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Tai Chi brought me back to 90+% and was so important in my recovery that I decided I wanted to share this with people and began teaching in senior centers and public classes.
Why do I love Tai Chi? Let me count the ways:
Find out what's happening in Park Slopefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
* "if you can walk you can do Tai Chi": The entry level to practice Tai Chi is so accessible. Since you can start at any level, (I was able to begin to practice Tai Chi while I was still hooked up to the IV, and could only stand up for a few minutes at a time.) Also, Tai Chi is for all ages. Many people, especially older adults, don’t really believe that that they can’t get stronger at that point in their lives, particularly if there are some health issues, but if someone practices tai chi for a few times a week, for even a few months it has amazing effects.
* Tai Chi can have surprising health benefits: even for younger or middle age people. Tai Chi can help counter lower back issues that comes from sitting too much in our modern lifestyle.
* Tai Chi is a lot more interesting than plain exercise or calisthenics. Tai Chi is an art, with a beauty of movement and subtlety of purpose that makes it interesting to study and practice over a long period of time.
* Tai Chi just plain feels good. As you get familiar with the moves doing Tai Chi feels almost like you’re moving slowly in a swimming pool, floating through the movements.
* Tai Chi increases awareness and is a fantastic memory exercise. When you relax with Tai Chi you can feel the energy in your body, and also become more aware of the space around you. It’s particularly enjoyable practicing outside!
* Practicing Tai Chi is a great form of stress reduction. For me it has become like meditation, or a mental ‘safe space’ where I can leave everyday cares aside. When keeping attention on the practice it’s impossible to think about other things.
* Learning a Tai Chi Form provides a real sense of accomplishment from the increased integration and coordination of movement that develops from learning to move from one posture to another.
*Tai Chi is fun and a great way to meet people and make friends. The people that I’ve met doing Tai Chi have been interesting, open, friendly, and supportive.
So! That’s my story!
But I will add that The American Heart Association, The Arthritis Foundation, the Mayo Clinic, the Harvard Medical School, The American College of Sports Medicine, and the National Institute of Health all recommend Tai Chi for it’s many health benefits.
Toby Kasavan is the founder of “Better Balance NY” and teaches classes and private lessons in Brooklyn, including classes every We. at the Brooklyn society for Ethical Culture 53 Prospect Park W. 5:30 basics 6:30 mixed level, beginners welcome at either class.
for class info. and prices please visit https://www.betterbalanceny.com/class-info/-curriculum - email: betterbalanceNY@gmail.com - Phone: 646-240-2019