For many seniors, retirement is the perfect time to branch out and try new things. No matter what your interests are, there’s ample opportunities all around you to engage in something different from your typical activities. For example, tai chi has become very popular among seniors; the noncompetitive Chinese martial art has numerous benefits to offer and it’s a great way to stay active.
At Ventura Townehouse, we believe in the importance of nurturing the mind, body, and spirit, and tai chi is an excellent way to do so. In this article, we’ll explore a few reasons why this form of martial arts has become so popular among seniors.
The Benefits of Tai Chi
Tai chi involves slow, flowing movements, deep breathing, and inner focused attention. It’s sometimes referred to as “meditation in motion” due to its emphasis on mindfulness. The slow-paced nature of tai chi encourages relaxation and inner peace, and it’s often lauded for its effectiveness at reducing anxiety and depression.
One of the reasons tai chi is so appealing to seniors is because it is a gentle and low impact form of exercise, meaning that it doesn’t put too much pressure on the joints. It can even decrease pain and inflammation, which is especially important for those with arthritis.
Despite tai chi being slow and gentle, it’s still an excellent workout for the body. It increases muscle strength, similar in effectiveness to resistance training. Tai chi also boosts the immune system, lowers blood pressure, and can even improve sleep quality.
Tai chi has an important role to play in fall prevention as well, a key feature for seniors. Regular practice improves balance control, posture, and coordination. A 2010 study at the National Institute on Aging found that after 12 weeks of tai chi practice, participants had significant improvements in balance, mobility, and overall function. Another study from 2016 found that tai chi reduced falls by 49% among participants.
Closing Thoughts
Tai chi is a unique and interesting form of exercise with many benefits to offer people of any age, but especially seniors. It has positive effects on mental health, in part due to promoting mindfulness and tranquility. And although tai chi isn’t intensive cardio, it manages to improve physical wellbeing just as well as many strenuous forms of exercise.
Staying active is an important part of senior living, which is why Ventura Townehouse includes various amenities to support healthy physical fitness and wellbeing. For more information about our senior living community, or to schedule a tour, click here.
