Tai chi has a big appeal to older physical fitness fans for a lot of reasons. Most human beings do not have the flexibility, balance and physical strength in their 50s and older as they did when they were younger. That is simply a law of living. Once you hit your 40s, and sometimes earlier, your body begins to age more rapidly, you lose muscle mass naturally, medical conditions and diseases begin to pop up, and you cannot perform the same physical exercises you did when you were younger.
That does not mean you should stop exercising. This is where tai chi steps in effectively as an over 50 form of physical fitness. Running and jogging, with that repetitive pounding of your feet, has been proven to take a drastic toll on your knees, ankles and hips, at any age. Many seniors find those forms of exercise more physically destructive than beneficial.
And forget lifting weights altogether, in most cases.
Tai chi delivers no physical impact. It is an ancient Chinese practice which stresses slow-moving body forms, healthy breathing techniques and mental focus. A lack of balance, poor flexibility and weak muscles have all been clinically proven to benefit from tai chi, with no negative side effects. Those 3 conditions are frequently found in the over-50 set, especially in senior citizens in their 60s and beyond.
Seniors Benefit from the Social Aspect of Tai Chi
Have you ever driven by a park or recreation facility and seen dozens of tai chi practitioners exercising at the same time? You seem to get an energizing sense of peace just from watching! When senior citizens join others just like themselves in a tai chi class, they meet regularly in a social atmosphere. Mentally and spiritually, this has huge benefits.
Keeping sharp mentally is extremely important for older people, because mental decline speeds up in direct proportion with your age. Tai chi as a form of exercise for seniors is increasingly recommended by doctors and mental care specialists. That is because it improves focus and mental clarity, fights depression and anxiety, and even helps curb addiction, all neurologically centered conditions.
So when seniors perform tai chi, they benefit from a no impact experience. Their balance, flexibility and strength are improved. Their sense of well-being and belonging improves their outlook on life and feelings of self-worth, and improved mental health is yet another benefit. If you have reached and surpassed the magical 50 year milestone, consider taking up tai chi as a safe, beneficial exercise for improved physical and mental health.