Free Your Chi
I first came into contact with Tai Chi on a trip to San Francisco. On an early morning walk that took me through Golden Gate Park, I witnessed hundreds of people doing a series of graceful, slow, entrancing movements that I now know are part of this ancient Chinese martial art. Young and old practiced side-by-side: It was quite beautiful.
Since then, the more I learn about the benefits of Tai Chi, the more impressed I am. Yet another study just published reveals that regular practice can help people 65 and over get a better nights sleep. This is no small thing since more than half the people in that age range report chronic sleep problems. In the study of 118 people, sleep quality, daytime functioning, strength, and balance were all improved for the group that practiced Tai Chi vs. the group that did other low-impact exercise.
In Chinese medicine, chi refers to the life force or life energy that resides in each of us. They believe that illness occurs when something is blocking the chi within the body. Tai Chi and acupuncture are the two most widely used forms of freeing up the flow of the chi.
Whether you believe the philosophy behind it or not, there’s no arguing the positive results Tai Chi has racked up over the years. Studies have shown that it can improve cardiovascular fitness, blood pressure, stress hormone levels, improve circulation and balance, and relieve the pain of arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other chronic conditions.
So if you are having trouble getting to sleep at night, why not give up on the warm milk and counting sheep and try a little morning Tai Chi instead? Group classes are becoming more and more common, so check your local community center or YMCA to see if they offer one. Or you can purchase an instructional video program. My guess is that once you start, you’ll feel so much better in just about every way, you wont want to stop.
Creaking or Swelling?
Q: What is the difference between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, and how would I know which one I have?
JVW: There are some pretty big differences between the two, even though many treatments will have a beneficial impact on both. First, osteoarthritis can affect just one specific joint and is due to wear and tear more than anything else, although you can be genetically predisposed to getting it. Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is an autoimmune disorder that affects the entire body. Osteoarthritis rarely affects individuals under 40, but rheumatoid arthritis can affect you at any age.
An x-ray will tell your doctor if you have osteoarthritis, while a blood test will reveal rheumatoid arthritis. And while osteoarthritis limits itself to affecting the joints, rheumatoid arthritis will affect your entire body and can also impact other aspects of your health, with sufferers also complaining of extreme tiredness and fatigue in response to the overall inflammation.
If you feel any kind of arthritis starting, you should pay a visit to your doctor to see exactly whats going on and come up with a treatment plan. In the wake of the recent Vioxx revelations (which have actually been known for yearsjust not acknowledged by the mainstream), make sure the doctor you choose is knowledgeable about treating you naturally. If you dont have a physician who will do this for you, contact the American College for Advancement in Medicine (800-532-3688, 949-583-7666, www.acam.org) for a referral to someone who will.
What is…Tai Chi?
Tai chi is a Chinese martial art that is primarily practiced for its proven health benefits, which include cardiovascular improvement, arthritis relief, stress reduction, and more. Among the martial arts, there are two basic types: the hard martial arts and the soft martial arts, also called the internal arts because they are crafted around philosophy as much as physical prowess. Examples of the hard martial arts are karate and kung fu (or wushu). Examples of the soft martial arts are ba gua and tai chi. Tai chi emphasizes complete relaxation, and is essentially a form of meditation, or what has been called meditation in motion. Unlike the hard martial arts, tai chi is characterized by soft, slow, flowing movements that emphasize force, rather than brute strength. Though it is soft, slow, and flowing, those who practice it should constantly strive to seek precision with each and every step. But the health benefits remain whether precision is achieved or not.
Yours in good health,
Amanda Ross
Managing Editor
Nutrition & Healing
