Known as “Moving Meditation,” Tai Chi is a centuries-old inner martial art deeply rooted in Chinese medicine that is enjoyed by our Independent and Assisted Living residents, as well as Abe’s Garden Community Group participants. The practice is a focused blend of meditation, deep breathing, and slow, repetitive, rhythmic movements designed to enhance relaxation and inner peace. This exercise only requires about 20 minutes a day to reap its benefits. And since Tai Chi is a safe, low-impact and adaptable for those in wheelchairs, it’s considered a perfect exercise for seniors. We listed a few of the benefits below
- Reduces stress and anxiety– Deep breathing is a key component in Tai Chi and creates a mind-body connection which helps release feel-good endorphins.
- Improves cognitive function and memory– Tai Chi is a mind-body exercise requiring mental focus to learn movement sequences which has been shown to improve episodic memory.
- Boosts balance and coordination– The slow, deliberate moves of Tai Chi help build muscle strength, which improves balance function and helps prevent falls. Recent studies shown Tai Chi to be very beneficial for those with Parkinson’s disease.