There are many elements of Tai Chi that most people do not know about. Onlookers of Tai Chi just see people during a period of concentration, breathing and yes, slow movements, but when in use as a defense system, I have seen a master move at almost unbelievable speeds. When my son was born and (an x and I) we were living in St. Mary Parish, I went offshore to work the oil rigs just to earn some quick money to pay the hospital bill. Tai Chi came in handy because even when a guy isn’t working his posterior off and is supposed to be relaxing, the continual boom boom of the drill could drive a person crazy so I’d take a half hour or so and go through a set. I could get rid of a lot of anxiety and sleep much better than the times I didn’t practice the movements.
Joan, I think we're kindred spirits Music is so important I forgot to mention how breathing is so very beneficial too, yea I know we all do it but - to deep breath through the nose exhale through mouth at least 3 times - is a boost too !
Patsy ...I would be/am delighted to be a kindred spirit of yours!! I have followed some breathing exercises on u-tube and they are supposedly very beneficial. There is one where after you take a deep breath (through nose) you breath in once more..I didn't think that was possible but it is...
Oh, I'll try that - although I'm happy with the breathing one that I do, my tummy seems to like it too I could add the new one to it
I do Tai Chi at 3 AM while deep breathing first thing every morning after rising. I do just the basic move and my own mantra. I do it on my patio that is semi-lit and it helps my muscles and eyes overcome my inner ear nerve loss and gain my balance for the day. I follow it with my workout that is based on palates and finish with stretching I took from yoga poses. I address all my tunnel syndromes with my stretching. @Joan Kuper I too once questioned the slow moves. I was fortunate to attend a workshop by a young lady that demonstrated the power you gain in slow motion. A small woman with slow arm moves timed right can stop a fast swift kick of a large muscular karate master. Tai Chi is about connecting the body and mind and strengthing senses. It isn't meant for muscle building or aerobic exercise.
Oh but my dear Fay, Tai Chi not only helps stretch the muscles but does indeed help build them and keep them toned by sheer usage. That said, many bodybuilders use several of the techniques prior to hitting the plates just for the warm up, stretch and to gain a better Brain / Muscle connection. If the muscles are not fully stretched and where there is no connection between the muscle and brain, little progress can be made.
I think you missed the point of my post. Tai Chi strengthens the entire body which is muscle toning. However, it's purpose is not to build muscle as compared to weight lifting. Tai Chi is about balance. To understand how Tai Chi is beneficial to balance, you must first understand the function and the mechanics of the inner ear. As we age our inner ear function deteriorates. When we experience vestibular loss, our eyes and muscles take over to maintain our balance. With age, our eyesight gets worse and our muscles are not as pliable. This is why older people suffer balance issues, Tai Chi helps strengthen the eye, inner ear, and muscle connection. This is why Tai Chi is recommended for seniors. To reemphasize my point, Tai Chi is not about building big muscle or brute force. No one involved seriously in Tai Chi gives a fats rats tail how much one can bench press or how many miles one can run on the treadmill. NO one cares about how many inches or millimeters one's biceps measure. No one does Tai Chi just to lose weight. Tai Chi is about balance, the eyes, the muscles, the brain (especially inner ear), and the conscious mind connecting to the subconscious. Tai Chi, as practiced by the masters is a form of hypnosis. Microgravity, vestibular function, and the subconscious mind is something that I am knowledgable and how it connects to Tai Chi becomes more evident as I age dealing with the loss of my right inferior vestibular nerve. Again Tai Chi is not for weight loss, muscle building, or aerobic exercise. it isn't just stretching. it is a calculated slow motion that strengthens balance.
@Joan Kuper I go to bed at 6-7 PM, so I get my sleep. I love the quiet mornings and watching the sunrise. When I was younger I loved the sunsets, but now in my sunset years, I live for the sunrise. I also love music and still practice the guitar. I love all genres of music except big band.
No one said anything about the purpose of Tai Chi was for bodybuilding but merely that many bodybuilders use the techniques pre-training and of course, on resting days. Now, your sarcasm about a rats behind is totally uncalled for. I wrote only to correct one item on your entire post which is yes, Tai Chi DOES build muscle. Any time a muscle is being used for an extended period of time it is being prepared for “next step” functioning which includes the primary use of Type 1 slow twitch muscle fibers and later, if they are so needed, Type II A fast twitch and possibly but doubtful, Type II B fibers. It’s called “time under tension” no matter how much or how little tension that may be. If you wish to simplify all of the basic functions that go into the movements as “toning” so be it. Now, I’m not in any way talking about going for hypertrophy and creating a huge amount of satellite cells to repair micro fissures in muscle fiber but there are definite elements in Tai Chi which do help with physical healing. And, whist the intention of the technique is definitely NOT for weight loss, anytime a person goes into a caloric deficit then it could be said that Tai Chi can aid with weight loss not discounting the fact that it also helps with one’s ability to decipher the difference between the needs and wants of the human body. In short, there are a myriad of reasons why Tai Chi is fantastic which is why I implemented it when I studied Kenpo for a number of years. It helped me to center myself, with balance and definitely helped me overcome many aches and pains that I would incur during a workout at the dojo.
@Joan Kuper Helen is my favorite for the basics. While Tai Chi is practiced slow and rhythmical like a dance, in self-defense one will automatically be able to respond at lightning speeds. In self-defense, a master might do some slow moves then one lightning strike that disables the attacker. There is not a lot of fast moves like you see in karate. Tai Chi for defense is taught slow. One will have to demonstrate several precise slow moves before the master will allow for the one fast move. Tai Chi for senior balance and health is always slow but remember it needs to be smooth and deep breathing is a must.
I never said Tai Chi didn't build muscle, I said it didn't build big muscle and the purpose of it is not focused on building muscle but strength that comes with balance. A Tai Chi master may have scranny looking arms with small biceps, but make no mistake they are powerful. A good comparison is comparing a large diameter hemp rope to a much smaller steel cable. All my responses are focused on helping Joan understand how these very slow moves are beneficial especially for seniors. I have been involved in martial arts ever since I can remember. My first girl scout leader taught us all Jujitsu for self-defense. I tried a few lessons of Karate and didn't like it. Taekwondo was better but still not for me. I practice my Tai Chi for balance and focus daily and occasionally do a few self-defense Jujitsu moves. Many self-defense moves I practice are from my 2x great-grandma that was American Indian. They were passed down in the family. They are all practiced like Tai Chi, very slowly and smoothly, but in reality, the strike is like a rattlesnake. My favorite that I had to use only once in my nearly 70 years was the slow arm-twist with the fast eye poke using index and middle fingers. I had never practiced it fast but when I was grabbed from behind, my reaction was instant and the eye poke delivered at a speed I didn't realize I was capable. Anyway, I hope this helps you Joan and answers your question of how these slow moves can do anything beneficial. I remember years ago at a class, one of the ladies asked the master why she wasn't losing weight. He says go home and throw the scales out the window and keep practicing and you will not be concerned with weight.