Photo courtesy of Taoist Tai Chi Association.
A: For newcomers to Taoist Tai Chi who are older or perhaps suffer from stiffness and weakness as the result of an illness, the instructor will proceed with care. Even if a program is modified and perhaps done from a chair to accommodate these participants, the health benefits are still there, though perhaps the rate of improvement will be slower. Utmost respect is given to any physical difficulties a person is facing and exercises can be tailored according to the specific issues a person is dealing with. Someone with advanced arthritis in one leg, for example, may not have the full range of motion in that part of the body – but the full range of motion may be achievable elsewhere in the body. A person with a neuromuscular illness such as multiple sclerosis may very well perform vigorous exercises while sitting.
Q: What other kinds of benefits are there to Taoist Tai Chi, beyond the physical changes to the body?
A: The benefits of Taoist Tai Chi extend beyond the physical benefits mentioned above. Concentration and recall are practiced to learn the sequence of the set's 108 movements. Through this concentration, the mind is freed of many life concerns and worries. I've witnessed people's moods improve with a set of tai chi, and in terms of ongoing depression, there are benefits. Also, an added bonus is the contact with other people who are focused on improving their health. The Taoist Tai Chi Society is a social group of members who help each other. There is a noted benefit of doing Tai Chi together, a connectedness, not just in joints and limbs, but also in people sharing with people. The calmness and serenity you see on the faces of people who’ve just finished a set of tai chi speaks volumes.
