Some benefits of tai chi
Earlier this week, a reader of this column offered his verbal appreciation for the latest column (on “radical remission” for cancer survivors). After I thanked him, I found myself saying that I had learned a good deal about cancer survivorship researching that column.
Sometimes the columns I write, and subsequent Geezer Forums, deal with topics I have little-to-no personal experience with. So I am a geezer-in-training for real, learning right along with many others who have little-to-no experience in these topics either. I think it’s exciting.
Today’s topic, and next Tuesday’s Geezer Forum, again touch on a subject for which I have no experience: tai chi. For 2-3 years, I’ve wanted to get a tai chi teacher to the Geezer Forum. (I intend to drink some chai tea while I learn from our teacher, Mark Evans.)
My research on this most ancient Chinese mind-body exercise, also dubbed by some “moving meditation,” has confirmed what I’d heard about its multiple benefits. For sake of simplicity, let’s think about physical, cognitive, and social interaction benefits.
- Physical: Because the movements are slow and steady, joints and muscles are not unduly strained. Muscle strength can improve, which means body-balance can improve a good deal.
Blood flow can be positively impacted. Stress/anxiety can diminish. Some chronic physical conditions can be impacted for the better. These benefits, of course, come to a person over time.
- Cognitive: More research is being done on Tai Chi’s impact on the brain. One study confirms that “those persons in the tai chi and social interaction groups had significant increases in total brain volume and in neuropsychological measures” (tests on memory, thinking, dementia, etc).”
Why is that important? “Research has shown that brain shrinkage is somehow connected to dementia. There-fore, if we can reduce or delay brain shrinkage, perhaps we can reduce or delay the incidence and onset of dementia/alzheimer’s disease.
This study showed that tai chi increased the brain size and memory of the participants and therefore it may delay or reduce the incidence and onset of dementia/alzherimer’s disease. Consequently, tai chi may just be a form of exercise that will preserve a sharp mind.” (See me for the source of this quote.)
- Social Interaction: Unless you end up buying a tai chi video for home use, you most likely would learn and practice tai chi in a class. Classes are obviously where social interaction can occur. Working with others on this “moving meditation” in a group setting can certainly be both enjoyable, and where you can encourage each other.
So next Tuesday, April 24, the Geezer Forum will offer a social chance to learn more about the practice and benefits of tai chi. Our teacher will be Mark Evans. Mark has taught tai chi for many years, and now teaches it at Sandpoint West Athletic Club.
He will introduce us to some of the basic moves and some of the physical and cognitive/mental benefits of tai chi. If you want to practice these moves along with Mark, please come dressed in comfortable clothes.
We meet in the Community Room of Columbia Bank 2:30-4 p.m.
Paul Graves, M.Div., is lead geezer-in-training for Elder Advocates, a consulting ministry on aging issues. Contact Paul at 208-610-4971 or elderadvcoates@nctv.com