“The 5 Best Exercises for a Healthy Body” and “Tai Chi May Help Prevent Falls”
These two separate on-line headlines caught my attention a couple weeks ago. Caught my attention enough to stop, read and then research the original source.
The “5 Best Exercises . . .” article first appeared on a Facebook page a Tai Chi teacher/colleague of mine from California shared. Five best – you know how that goes – with social media and our getting news out through headlines, writers know they have to catch our attention in a phrase, in just a few words. If we are not hooked, our attention is on to something else.
In scanning this article from longevitylive.com, it said:
“5 of the best exercises you can ever do”
#1. Swimming
#2. Tai Chi
Wow, I love this! Tai Chi is near and dear to my heart. But I wanted to know the source, and I found these results are from a Harvard Medical School paper, published online at Harvard Publications.
Harvard Medical School has been conducting research on Tai Chi for several years, with positive results. Many of their studies are included in the Harvard Health Publications book The Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi, published four years ago. Good news!
Not only did I see the “Tai Chi May Help Prevent Falls” in my online New York Times daily paper, four of my students forwarded the article to me. I like that. My students are paying attention.
This article cites studies in 10 randomized controlled trials that were analyzing “the effectiveness of Tai Chi for prevention of falls in older and at-risk adults. The results were positive, as cited in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
These studies are showing, in controlled environments, what many of my students report on an on-going basis – “My balance is better.” “I was afraid of falling and I know am much more aware of how I stand and walk.” “I caught myself off-balance and brought myself back to center – I didn’t fall!”
Hooray for the continuing studies. The potential benefits of Tai Chi are many. Come and see for yourself. Try a class.
By the way, #3 – Strength Training. #4 – Walking. #5 – Kegel exercises.
Arlene Faulk
Tai Chi has transformed my life. I spent my first year seated in a chair, doing Tai Chi moves as best as I could. Very slowly I learned to walk again through the practice of the slow, deliberate walk that Tai Chi teaches.
In my published book, Walking on Pins and Needles: A Memoir of Chronic Resilience in the Face of Multiple Sclerosis, I tell my dramatic personal story of experiencing years of debilitating symptoms as I ascended the corporate ladder, landed on my couch for two years, then moved through a zig-zag path to find comfort and healing through Chinese medicine and Tai Chi.
Tai Chi was my guide in managing pain, increasing overall balance, strength and learning how to relax. Through the practice I discovered my calling and have been teaching Tai Chi for over 20 years.
I teach my students what continues to be life-enhancing for me: Tai Chi is not about trying harder; it’s about letting go, being in the moment, feeling balance and the fluidity of energy.