Live Whole Health #172: Posture, breath and mind

“Slow down!” When I hear those words, I picture a young mother yelling at cars driving through her neighborhood while her children play.

Imagine a very different scene. Imagine you are living your life, juggling all the chores and responsibilities, checking off your list, barely taking a breath or a moment to enjoy the day. Imagine somewhere deep inside, you hear a whisper, a gentle, quiet, urging to “slow down.”

Slowing down can be as simple as three things: posture, breath and mind. Take a second. Adjust your posture and release the tension in your shoulders. Take a breath through your nose and feel it coming into your body and then leaving. Allow your mind to be present in just this moment, noticing the way it feels to be relaxed in the body, breathing the air around you.

Give yourself more of this kind of pause with this 10-minute seated Tai Chi practice led by Dr. Cynthia Mealer. Tai Chi is a mind-body exercise combining slow-flowing intentional movements with breathing, awareness and visualization.

Rooted in the Asian traditions of martial arts, Chinese medicine and philosophy, Tai Chi enhances relaxation, vitality, focus, posture, balance, strength, flexibility and mood. Tai Chi can be done either standing or sitting, and is accessible to most bodies, regardless of age or fitness level.

Find additional resources for both Tai Chi and Yoga, including short videos and information here. If you want to learn more about Tai Chi and how it can benefit your life, read the Intro to Tai Chi/Qigong for Whole Health.

For more information on additional complementary and integrative health approaches available through VA, visit the Complementary and Integrative Health page.