Health age. Tai chi helps you retain this sense. Some studies have also found tai chi to reduce the fear of falling. And the less you fear a tumble, the less likely you’ll have one. No less important, research has linked tai chi to improvedmood, self-esteem, sleep and quality of life – benefits that Leona Lee of Mississauga, Ontario enjoys every day. Now 78, Lee began tai chi after she was diagnosed with breast cancer eight years ago. “I felt weak and unhappy and knew I had to do something,” she recalls. After enrolling in weekly tai chi classes at her local community centre, “I noticed that I felt better after each class, so I thought, why not do it every day?” Lee now starts each morning with a tai chi set. Easing in Some tai chi programs emphasize the martial arts aspect but, if you’re in it for health, make sure that you choose a matching approach. Look for a teacher who will accommodate your health concerns and observe a class to gauge the vibe. Note: if you have a medical condition or take medications that make you dizzy, get the green light from your doctor before starting. Wear loose-fitting clothes that don’t limit your movements. While specialty tai chi shoes exist, most light, comfortable shoes in your closet should do the trick. Barefoot also works. In the classroomor park, just copy the instructor’s movements – and don’t take it personally if he or she corrects you. It’s not to single you out, it’s to help you get the most out of the practice. Once you get the hang of it, you can “take the lessons home,” as does Wenlu Feng, 64, who teaches business at Centennial College in Toronto. “I’m at work all day, so I can’t join the groups of people in the park,” Feng explains. Instead, he fits in a 20-minute set in his own home every morning. And, while his experience doesn’t constitute scientific proof, “all I know is that I used to get colds and I haven’t had a single one since I started tai chi.” THE WAY OF WATER Combining tai chi with hydrotherapy – water-based exercise – may give you the best of both worlds. On land, some tai chi practitioners may fear losing their balance or experience joint pain. The viscosity of water puts these concerns to rest. Not just that, but the warm water gets the blood flowing to your hands and feet, which can help reduce tension. Ai chi, a water-based exercise regimen built around tai chi movements, has been shown to restore physical confidence in older people – a benefit they can transfer to solid ground. In other research, ai chi exercises led to improvements in pain, mood and quality of life in people with fibromyalgia. Best of all, there’s no way you can fall. CSANews | SPRING 2019 | 33
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