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.

Watch three other Tai Chi videos by Lorie Enloe here:

Live Whole Health #132: Tai Chi Warm-Ups – VA News

Live Whole Health #134: Seated Tai Chi basic moves – VA News

Live Whole Health #138: Seated Tai Chi basic moves – VA News.

Are you curious about Tai chi and want to learn more?

You can read “Introduction to Tai Chi for Whole Health” here.