Health Benefits of Tai Chi

Tai Chi differs from other types of exercise. The movements are often circular and are never forced. The muscles are relaxed, not tensed, and the joints are neither fully extended nor bent. Connective tissues like ligaments are not stretched.

Tai Chi doesn’t leave you breathless, it addresses the key components of fitness:  muscle strength, flexibility, balance, and, to a lesser degree, aerobic conditioning.

Tai Chi can be easily adapted for anyone, from the most fit to people who may struggle otherwise and/or have disabilities or are recovering from an illness or other.

According to Harvard Medical School, some of the documented and well-studied benefits include:

• Muscle strength. In a study by Stanford and cited by Harvard, people who did tai chi improved more than 30% in lower-body strength and 25% in arm strength which was almost as much as those who participated in resistance training, and more than those assigned to brisk walking.
• Tai Chi boosts upper- and lower-body flexibility as well as strength.
• Aerobic conditioning

Falling is a key concern as we age. A single bad fall can lead to longer term health and often serious implications. Tai Chi addresses the following:

• Balance: Tai chi improves balance and according to some studies reduces falls.
• Proprioception is how you sense the position of your body in space. It declines with age. Tai chi helps train this sense, which is a function of sensory neurons in the inner ear and stretch receptors in the muscles and ligaments.
• The fear of falling can make you more likely to fall; some studies have found that tai chi training helps reduce that fear in part because of your increased balance and strength, but also confidence in yourself.
• If you do fall, Tai chi also improves muscle strength and flexibility, which makes it easier to recover if a stumble does occur.

Also according to Harvard Medical School, when combined with standard medical treatment, tai chi appears to be helpful for managing several medical conditions such as:

• Arthritis
• Heart disease
• Heart failure
• Hypertension
• Helps manage issues caused by Parkinson’s disease
• Sleep problems
• Stroke

For more information on these conditions and the help Tai Chi may offer those afflicted with them, please see “The Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi: 12 Weeks to a Healthy Body, Strong Heart, and Healthy Mind” (2013) by Peter M Wayne, MD and Mark L. Fuerst.

For more information on Tai Chi, contact Shifu Dan Della Vella of Kung Fu Buffalo at 716-341-8070.

For over 20 years, Kung Fu Buffalo has been located at 350 Union Street in Hamburg, NY and has been fortunate to provide instruction from ACMAF-certified Shifus (teachers) and a Disciple Master of both 8 Step Preying Mantis Kung Fu, and Shyun-Style Tai Chi.

Our rare, centuries-old style of Kung fu is based on nature and preserved and taught in its entirety the way it always has; in very small class sizes to guarantee proper attention is given to each student’s journey. Our class size usually averages between 4 and 6 to ensure every student is given ample opportunity to master each concept and application while surrounded by others at a similar level. It is a complete system that matches breathing, balance, coordination, posture with all aspects of self-defense.

Tai Chi promotes strength, balance, mobility, improved breath control, and overall health for students of any age. Our Tai Chi class sizes are similarly small to make sure our student receive maximum benefit from instruction.

Whether you study Kung fu or Tai Chi with us, we provide a personalized path for each student to follow and learn at their own pace, governed almost entirely by the amount of effort they are willing to invest in themselves.

In its original meaning, kung fu can refer to any discipline or skill achieved through hard work and practice, not necessarily just martial arts. In this regard, the students we attract and teach are more likely to contribute to a better society when outside our school.

Confidence. Health. Fitness. Flexibility. Goals. Focus. Discipline. Effort.

This is the way.