Elder Care Cordova TN
World Tai Chi and Qigong Day was inspired by an event held by the Kansas City Tai Chi Club in Kansas City, Missouri in 1998. At that event, nearly 200 people participated in a mass Tai Chi exhibition. The event not only inspired World Tai Chi and Qigong Day, it inspired many Americans to learn more about Tai Chi and Qigong and use these meditative arts to help promote health and healing. Today, many community centers and fitness centers across the United States offer classes in Tai Chi and Qigong and many of these classes are specifically designed for seniors. This is because Tai Chi and Qigong have shown to have many health benefits for seniors and they are activities that many seniors find to be relaxing and fun. If you have a senior loved one who has not yet tried Tai Chi or Qigong, take some time on April 30th (World Tai Chi and Qigong Day) to encourage them to give it a try.
If these meditative arts are new to you, read on for a list of just a few of their incredible health benefits for seniors:
• They Are Low-Impact Tai Chi and Qigong are both forms of exercise that are low-impact. This means that they do not put too much stress on the joints. Because of this, they are both great activities for seniors who have arthritis or chronic pain.
• They are Strengthening Activities Tai Chi and Qigong are not aerobic exercises, but they are strengthening exercises. In both, seniors will use their whole body to move into certain poses and positions. It will not feel as intense as lifting large dumbbells, in fact, it is a gentler way to build muscle strength.
• Fall Prevention Improving balance and flexibility is key to preventing falls and preventing serious injuries from falls. Tai Chi and Qigong are great ways to improve both balance and flexibility through guiding the body to form different positions and movements.
• They Are Great for Beginners If your senior loved one is new to exercise or suffers from a chronic medical condition such as diabetes or arthritis that has prevented them from being active, Tai Chi or Qigong are perfect activities to help them to get back into physical exercise. Tai Chi and Qigong are gentle activities that will not put stress or pressure on the joints, making them ideal ways to “ease into” an exercise routine.
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Tai_Chi_and_Qigong_Day
https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/a-z/tai-chi-and-chi-gong
Leave a Reply