Ah … growing older, retiring, doing what that we always wanted to but never had time for because family and work came first. We are have achieved wisdom with age and unexpected consequences of attaining it. Everything in life has a price. We begin to notice that perhaps we don’t move as well, sleep as soundly and although we try to remove all of the unwanted “junk” from our brain into its “re-cycle bin” it often doesn’t get deleted!
The Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI) at Nova Southeastern University has found a way to keep mature adults on their toes by providing a vibrant educational environment for older adults through intellectual stimulation, physical well-being and social growth that enrich the lives of its members and the community. One of the sessions introduced this year is the Art of Tai Chi.
Many people know Yoga but find that as they get older some of the positions and poses become more difficult to do. Enter Tai Chi, an ancient system of therapeutic exercise developed in China designed to benefit the body and mind as an integrated whole. The gentle pleasant movements are meditatively synchronized with breathing exercises and meditation designed to quiet the mind and concentrate on the inner self. In Western culture the tendency is to look outside of oneself for ways to fix things first but in Eastern culture it’s the reverse, looking inside oneself for ways to learn what is happening and embracing challenges. Unlearning old habits and replacing them with new ways of embodying ourselves to cultivate a sense inner peace or simply to improve our balance is not easy at any age but for mature adults it sometimes proves more daunting. However, by undoing some of these old habits the body functions better as a self-healing machine. We become more alert, focused, our coordination and balance improves and we are better able to “flow with the river” and gain our power and energy back.
There are well documented clinical studies around the world including American medical institutions such as John Hopkins, Harvard University, University of Miami, and the National Institutes of Health to name a few, that define the many therapeutic benefits of Tai Chi . They include reduced mental stress, enhanced relaxation, reduced levels of chronic pain, improved postural alignment and balance, improved bone density and more. Over time there’s no doubt that Tai Chi often referred to as “meditation in motion” promotes a healthier you.
When asked why he joined the class, LLI member Rudy says: “I like the rhythm, focus and feeling of being centered. It’s teaching me how to look inside myself and I’m getting to know the inner me by learning to empty my cup” Other comments: “It makes me slow down a bit and my balance has gotten better” “Our instructors’ voice leading us through the motions together with the Tai Chi music is very calming and puts me in a place of peace.”
Tai Chi is a deceptively simple yet sophisticated healing art that can help rejuvenate us from our brain down to our toes. It provides peace of mind and a different way to approach our life by taking a step back so that we can meet the present with clarity, vitality and good health. There is no doubt that the class is in sync when we do “Holding the Ball” “Parting the Horse’s Mane” and “Single Whip” stances. We are focused and its hard work but we are thankful for this introduction to the wonderful Art of Tai Chi.