Live Whole Health #209: The gentle power of Tai Chi

Staying active is very important for your physical, mental and emotional health. Regular physical activity lowers the risk of depression, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, stroke, colon cancer and breast cancer. Some activities increase your stamina while others improve your strength, flexibility or balance. Even a few minutes of activity each day has potential benefits for improving your health.

Tai Chi is a gentle, mind-body movement practice that combines slow-flowing intentional movements with breathing, awareness and visualization. Tai Chi can be done in a small space without any additional equipment, and movements could be done standing or from a chair.

If you are ready to give it a try, follow along with this 14-minute practice guided by Memphis VA Clinical Psychologist (and Tai Chi Instructor), Dr. Cynthia Mealer. 

Tai Chi is one of the complementary and integrative health (CIH) approaches within the VA Whole Health System of care covered under the Veteran’s medical benefits package.

For more information on staying physically active from the VHA National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, visit Be Physically Active. 

For more information and tips on getting moving with the Whole Health Components of Health and Well-Being, visit Moving the Body. 

To learn more about CIH services available at your local VA facility, connect with your local Whole Health Facility Contact.