Staying active during this time is very important for your physical, mental, and emotional health. Physical activity, like Tai chi, increases your stamina and improves your strength, flexibility, or balance.

Tai chi is a gentle, 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, like all physical activity, uses your energy to move the large muscles in your body. In general, physical activity can lower the risk of depression, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, stroke, colon cancer, and breast cancer. It may also help you feel like you have more energy, stamina, and endurance.

Moving your body in these ways can improve your ability to do more of the things you want or need to do. Even a few extra minutes of activity each day has potential benefits for improving your health. Best of all, Tai chi can be done in a small space without any additional equipment, and movements could even be done from a chair.

An important consideration for any exercise or physical activity program is how one listens to his or her body. One way to develop this mindful awareness of the body is by engaging in complementary and integrative health (CIH) movement practices such as yoga and tai chi.

Join Tai Chi Instructor Cynthia Frusha from the Central Arkansas VA in this 10-minute and 37-second Tai Chi session.

Tai Chi is one of the complementary and integrative health (CIH) approaches within the VA Whole Health System of care included in the Veteran’s medical benefits package when deemed clinically necessary by a Veteran’s care team.

More info

For more information on staying Physically Active with help from the VHA National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, visit: https://www.prevention.va.gov/Healthy_Living/Be_Physically_Active.asp

To find more information and tips on Moving Your Body through the Whole Health Components of Health and Well-Being, visit: https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTH/circle-of-health/moving-body.asp

For information on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.

Alison M. Whitehead, MPH is the Acting Director for the Integrative Health Coordinating Center in the VHA Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation.   

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25 Comments

  1. James Hayes Jr. April 25, 2020 at 08:12

    There are 37 forms total.

  2. David Freeth April 24, 2020 at 10:25

    Where Can I listen to more Videos from this instructor? I liked the video a lot.

  3. Jim Swisher April 23, 2020 at 14:40

    I was involved in a previous Tai Chi program but this program looks more what I would be,interested in.

  4. Jim Swisher April 23, 2020 at 14:36

    Can I get further info regarding Tai Chi ??

  5. THODORE BRADFORD April 23, 2020 at 14:33

    I need this badly how can I follow this ? get cd ? u tube classes ?

  6. Stephen Fowler April 23, 2020 at 11:58

    My wife and I are interested in starting Thi chi program at home. How can we get a CD for a beginner?
    Thanks. Steve Fowler

  7. Deborah Toth April 23, 2020 at 10:51

    Can I get the videos to play when my body is able to do? I have a trifecta of arthritis and would like to try this. I get flair ups that cause migraines which keep me from watching videos. So to be able to play around these flair ups would be awesome.

  8. Thomas Wolff April 23, 2020 at 08:40

    I definitely enjoyed and benefited from this #3 episode introduction lesson. Will look foward to continue.

  9. Nilca O Billow April 23, 2020 at 08:24

    I am new at this, but I will like to start a Tai-Chi beginner exercise and a beginner Yoga class!
    Unfortunately it has to be after June 14, 2020 and I am stuck in Germany right now until June 14 which its when I supposed to return!
    I am Billow stage 4 cancer and spinal surgery last August 29, 2018. I haven’t recuperated yet!
    I need help to dissipate my chronic pain!
    Thank you,
    Nilca O. Billow

  10. Ross Alan Boger April 23, 2020 at 08:16

    I need this. how can I get the training?

  11. Larry Glenn Snyder April 23, 2020 at 03:40

    Just beginning Tai chi. Thanks for the info.

  12. Tina McGinnis April 23, 2020 at 01:12

    How do I get the Tai Chi videos?

  13. Susan Millegan April 23, 2020 at 00:25

    Thank you for episode #3. I have attended 2 Tai Chi sessions at Audie Murphy but it was quite a drive and I asked if there was anything online! Now we need it for everyone who is “sheltered in place.” :-) Will there be more episodes of Tai Chi?

  14. Terrence Cummings April 22, 2020 at 23:54

    Awesome! I was about to sign off and realized that the video had become live. A great session, lovely teaching and a Qigong bonus! Thank you for teaching me.

  15. Terrence Cummings April 22, 2020 at 23:40

    I was excited to see this article yet, the diagnostic on the disabled video read: “The server closed the connection without sending any data.”
    I’ve been stdying a form of Kuang Ping Yang style memorizing the 170 postures (kind of) in 10 months. I practice a couple/few times a day. This may take awhile.
    Terry
    Marine.

  16. Paul Kronfield April 22, 2020 at 22:45

    How does this form compare to the 46 movement Yang style?

  17. Chantia April 20, 2020 at 09:51

    Thank you

    • Alvin M. Jasper April 22, 2020 at 23:55

      Good for the mind

  18. Jeffrey Bishop April 17, 2020 at 06:18

    Thank you for doing this video ! I have gone to a couple of Tai chi classes at my local VA. Also have gone to mindfulness groups at the VA. For other veterans reading this , who don’t know , there is a app , Mindfulness Coach ,by the VA . Recommend it ,especially during these times.There are other apps also by the VA that may be helpful along with these Live Whole Health videos. Best wishes to all fellow veterans ,men and women !

  19. Les Durette April 16, 2020 at 13:47

    Great class Thank you!!!

  20. Rhonda ARMSTRONG April 15, 2020 at 22:55

    Well Done Thx furr the Insite…
    A new fan…
    RWA

  21. Martin G Hawkins April 12, 2020 at 16:57

    I just wanted to say that we as Veterans, we know what it takes to keep this get country safe, and we know what it’s like to just wait it out. Be, safe and help those how need it most and let your heart score for others.

  22. Gregory L Kirk April 10, 2020 at 13:11

    This was my first visit and I really enjoyed it. Thank you.

  23. Sunia Cox April 9, 2020 at 11:54

    This is a great site n useful programs.

  24. Sunia Cox April 9, 2020 at 11:51

    Thi chi program 3 was EXCELLENT.
    PLEASE KEEP DOING the rest of the 22 form.

    THANKS
    Sunia Cox
    Wife of DAV
    John Cox

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