Live Whole Health #145: Tai Chi fundamentals: Standing side support

Do you remember roller skating, school dances, physical education classes? For many of us, moving our bodies was a daily thing when we were young. Not all of us were athletes, but we still had opportunities to get the blood flowing with movement.

Maybe it has been many years since you have done any sort of coordinated movement with your body. The days of physical training are long over, dancing at weddings may not be top on your list and going to the gym might sound like a chore.

Tai Chi offers a very gentle way to get the blood flowing and it is something you can do at home. If standing movement is not available to you, Tai Chi can also be done in a chair.

Join Lori Enloe, physical therapist and National Board-Certified Health and Wellness coach from the Wisconsin VA Medical Center for a 14-minute Tai Chi fundamentals – Standing side support:

Tai chi has been shown to improve health in many areas:

Balance
Fall risk
Physical fitness and muscle strength
Flexibility
Quality of life
Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, two causes of joint pain and stiffness
Blood pressure
Cholesterol levels
Promoting the ability to exercise in people with chronic heart failure
Bone density (osteoporosis)
Immune system health
Quality of life in people with cancer
Chronic pain
Fibromyalgia symptoms
Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.