Tai Chi for Health

I went to a local sci fi convention the other day, and one of the featured members was Erin Gray. Erin was a big T.V. star in the 1980’s/1990’s, starring in the series “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century” and “Silver Spoons.”

There was a lull during her presentation when nobody had any questions, so she told us she’d tell us about her favorite subject, tai chi. She’s a master of tai chi, she reported, and gives classes in Los Angeles. Erin told us the story about how she got involved in tai chi, initially through the discovery of the benefits of acupuncture when appearing on Silver Spoons and she had a cold and couldn’t go on until she had treatment. She said that, since she started over 15 years ago, she hasn’t had a single cold since even though she’d had several lung-related incidents in her young years.

I took a look at the Tai Chi Academy website re: the benefits of Tai Chi, and this is what they have to say:

Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese system of slowly flowing movements and shifts of balance that strengthens the legs while conditioning the tendons and ligaments of the ankles, knees, and hips, increasing their range of motion and making them more resilient, less prone to injury. The constant weight shifts train balance and body awareness, leading to confident ease of movement within the form and in everyday life. Tai Chi is a physical exercise that focuses the mind, while conditioning the body. Practicing twenty minutes a day dissipates stress and reduces stress-related debilities, increases stamina, and strengthens the body and will.

Western Science recognizes the following benefits of practicing Tai Chi: increased oxygen uptake and utilization (more efficient breathing), reduced blood pressure, slower declines in cardiovascular power, increased bone density, increased strength and range of motion of joints, greater leg strength, knee strength, and flexibility, reduced levels of stress hormones during and after practice, improved immune function, and heightened mood states.

In the U.S., studies have shown that even people in their 70's and 80's can learn a simplified series of Tai Chi forms, and benefit tremendously: Study subjects show a marked decrease in injurious falls, reductions in blood pressure, and improved measures of balance and confidence. If Tai Chi can do this for geriatric beginners, think of what it can do for someone who starts a few decades sooner, and stays with it.