|
Tai Chi voor gezondheid
Tai Chi vermindert stress en verhoogt je immuniteit.
Iedereen weet dat sporten goed voor je gezondheid is, maar wat maakt Tai Chi zo bijzonder vergeleken met andere sporten?
Het beoefenen van Tai Chi vergt weinig lichamelijke inspanning door de langzame bewegingen en kan beoefend worden door jong en oud. Door de soepele en vloeiende bewegingen wordt je lichaam flexibel gemaakt. Tijdens het beoefenen van Tai Chi neemt je lichaam de meest ontspannende houding aan, waardoor stress wordt verminderd. Tai Chi wordt daarom vaak gebruikt om RSI en 'burn out' te voorkomen. Daarnaast wordt je longcapaciteit vergroot door de natuurlijke en diepe ademhaling.
Medische studies hebben bewezen dat Tai Chi een effectieve en zachte oefening is voor je gezondheid. Het is bewezen dat het regelmatig beoefenen van Tai Chi de volgende positieve effecten heeft:
- vermindert stress
- verbetert je concentratie vermogen
- vergroot je immuniteit
- vergroot je longcapaciteit
- verlaagt je bloeddruk
- verbetert je balans
- versterkt je hart
Onderzoeksartikelen
Men's Health Magazine (8 Mar/Apr '93 p. 66-69 )
GENERAL BENEFITS: Tai Chi teaches inner strength while toning muscles, increasing flexibility, and boosting immune power. It is also said to reduce stress, store up energy, increase body awareness, and improve balance and coordination. Tai Chi was the closely held secret of a few Chinese families for nearly 1,000 years...
Working Woman Magazine V 20 Feb. 95 p. 60-62+
MENTAL & PHYSICAL STRESS: Mind & body exercises, such as ... Tai Chi ... are increasingly replacing high-impact aerobics, long distance running and other body punishing exercises of the 1980's ...Mind/body workouts are kinder to the joints and muscles . . reduce the tension that often contributes to the development of disease, which makes them especially appropriate for high powered, stressed out baby boomers. Unlike most conventional exercises, these forms are intended to stretch, tone, an relax the whole body instead of isolating parts ... based on a series of progressive choreographed movements coordinated with deep breathing.
(American Psychological Association) Journal of Psychosomatic Research, ( 1989 Vol 33 (2) 197-206 )
PHYSIOLOGICAL BENEFITS: Relative to measurement beforehand, practice of Tai Chi raised heart rate, increased non-adrenaline excretion in urine, and decreased salivary cortisol concentration. Relative to baseline levels, [Test Subjects] reported less tension, depression, anger, fatigue, confusion and state-anxiety; they felt more vigorous, and in general they had less total mood disturbance.
Hawaii Medical Journal - Vol 51 No. 8 August 92
BALANCE:A ten year study on aging through Harvard, Yale and Emory University determined not only that Tai Chi was superior to more technological balance therapies, but that Tai Chi reduced the risk of injury by falling by 48%. Complications from these injuries are the sixth leading cause of death in older Americans, and account for about $10 billion loss per year to the economy. USA Today, May 1996
Prevention Magazine V. 46 Dec. 94 p. 71-72
BALANCE: Institute of Chicago indicates that people with moderate balance problems can be helped by practicing Tai Chi. Participants...of the 2 month course ...experienced about a 10 percent improvement in balance. An Emory University study supports Hain's findings.
(American Psychological Association) American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 1981 Spr Vol 9(1) 15-22
CURES/PREVENTIONS: Proponents claim that Tai Chi can also (1) cure illnesses such as hypertension, asthma, and insomnia; (2) prevent arteriosclerosis and spinal deformity, and (3) shorten recovery phase from long-term illness. Results from a study by Chen Munyi (1963) with elderlyl Tai Chi practitioners show that this group had RTs, strength, and flexibility superior to nonpractitioners.
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 1999; 47:277-284.
Tai Chi lowers blood pressure (see full article)
-
|
