As my interest in tai chi has developed over the past nine years or so, I’ve read plenty of articles and books on the health benefits of the art, both perceived and real. Some of them sensible and honest, others have been unnecessarily fantastical alluding to a mystical power that even the most open minded person might find difficult to believe.
Thankfully, the article in the link below falls into the category of the former rather than the latter. To be honest, the health benefit claims in this one probably aren’t too far removed from anything else you may have read before, but I thought I’d share it as I liked the testimonies from the class members and I could see some parallels with my own class. The first one being the fact that, despite battling against rheumatoid arthritis and all of the aches and pains that come with her amount of wisdom, my mother attends my class as well as the one that I attend with my own instructor. She is a staunch advocate of the need to keep moving and says that the classes always leave her feeling energised, much like the interviewees in the article. Similarly, I feel that the members of the featured village class convey a relaxed atmosphere where it is recognised that we are all built differently and all move in different ways. I would like to think that my class is the same and I believe that the essence and spirit of tai chi are the most important thing. Continually evaluate what it is you hope to achieve through your practice, whatever level that may be, and aim for it. Tai chi can get you there.
Bando tai chi 