Have you ever seen people doing Tai Chi?  They're often in a park or outdoor space, looking like they're dancing in slow motion.

After years of wondering, I finally tried it.  Since it's National Women's Health and Fitness Day (Shawn's got a blog post about that...) I thought I would share with you a bit about my experience with this ancient healing art from Asia.  I liked it!

Tai Chi is an old practice that involves doing gentle movements while being mindful of the breath.  It's called a moving meditation and has been known to relax the mind as well as the body.

What I'm excited about is that I not only felt good Monday night during and after the exercise, but I slept well that night and woke up feeling great.  In fact, I had a really energetic and productive day the next day.    Was it BECAUSE of the Tai Chi?  I can't say for sure but it was a positive experience that I'm going to try to repeat.

If you're someone who doesn't usually exercise, you might want to learn more.  It's low impact.  While I did "feel the burn" a bit in my shoulder area, I'm sure that will go away once I get used to using those muscles.  Of course, I'd suggest you talk to your doctor or instructor first, especially if you have any medical issues.

According to the Mayo Clinic, benefits of Tai Chi may include: decreased stress, anxiety, and depression; improved mood; increased energy and stamina; and improved flexibility, balance, and agility.

Here's an 8 minute video which covers some of the basic moves.

Have you ever done Tai Chi?  Do you know anyone who practices it?

 

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