Psycological:
Tai Chi’s slow, meditative practice helps to calm the mind and focus the senses on the present. Everyday worries can be forgotten about, to be dealt with later, giving the conscious mind vital time ‘to breathe’ and see everyday life in perspective. Knowing a martial art of self-defence also boosts self-esteem and confidence.
Physical:
You will work up a sweat in Tai Chi practice. Forms make you stronger and more supple. Blood flows to the limbs and circulation is improved. Also, the flux of chi around the body has been proven to strengthen the immune system against disease. Gentle postures are great for troubled knees, as vital nutrients can be delivered to the cartilage without the excessive force of many traditional forms of exercise. Huge benefits are brought to the spine by consciously thinking about and working through a sequence of postures refined over centuries for their health benefits.
Emotional:
On a chemical level, Tai Chi has been found to decrease cortisol levels in the body, thereby eliminating mood imbalances. As a spiritual martial art, Tai Chi encourages peaceful interaction and understanding, as a way of life and as a means of conflict resolution. Like all martial arts, Tai Chi seeks mastery of the external world through mastery of the self.
