Aging is inevitable, but you can slow the process by practicing healthy habits that promote longevity. These include following a nutritious diet, getting sufficient sleep and engaging in physical activities that improve balance and flexibility–such as Tai chi. Tai chi is a peaceful martial art with fluid movements that is suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels; its practice strengthens muscles, improves mental wellbeing, posture and reduces stress – as well as providing quality of life improvements and potential disease prevention benefits.
Tai chi may not build muscle like weight lifting does or challenge your heart and lungs like an HIIT class does, but it still offers numerous benefits – such as increasing flexibility and strengthening lower-body strength. According to studies, it also helps decrease falls by sharpening proprioception – the ability of sensing movement and position within space that declines with age but can be trained through practice with tai chi.
Tai chi may help improve sleep quality, an essential component of both mental and physical wellness. According to one study, participants in a group tai chi program who attended two classes per week for 10 weeks experienced significant improvements in the quality of their rest compared with those who hadn’t participated.
Although aging is unavoidable, you can reduce its effects on both body and mind by practicing Tai Chi regularly. A study published by Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics in 2022 demonstrated how Tai Chi could slow cellular aging significantly and may protect against Parkinson’s, heart disease and Alzheimer’s.