Tai Chi is a beneficial exercise for improving mobility and preventing falls in older adults, as it improves balance, strength, and flexibility, and reduces the risk of falls by enhancing overall physical stability.

The practice of Tai Chi has been shown to reduce fall risk in older adults by improving balance, which is a key factor in preventing falls and related injuries.

Tai Chi can be adapted to meet the needs of individuals with physical limitations, and chair-based exercises are a suitable option for older adults who require supported exercises.

Regular practice of Tai Chi has been linked to reduced waist circumference, increased high-density cholesterol levels, and improved overall health in elderly individuals.

The optimal frequency and duration of Tai Chi practice for significant improvements are not clearly defined, but practicing Tai Chi three times a week for one hour each time, with a 12-week course, can be beneficial for overall health.

Tai Chi has been shown to improve balance and mobility in older adults, and it also has benefits for individuals with degenerative arthritis, Parkinson's disease, and dementia.

The slow movements of Tai Chi have a relaxing and meditative effect, which can contribute to its overall health benefits, including reduced stress and improved mood.

Tai Chi can be done at home, making it a convenient option for older adults, and it is a low-impact exercise that can be adapted to meet the needs of individuals with physical limitations.

Cognitively enhanced Tai Chi improves global cognition scores in older adults and delays cognitive decline, making it a valuable exercise for older adults at risk of dementia.

Tai Chi has been linked to longer life, lower illness risk, and improved physical health, making it a beneficial exercise for older adults.

Overall, Tai Chi is a valuable exercise for older adults, as it improves mobility, prevents falls, and enhances overall physical and mental health.

Tai Chi is a beneficial exercise for improving mobility and preventing falls in older adults, as it improves balance, strength, and flexibility, and reduces the risk of falls by enhancing overall physical stability.

Title:

Content: Healthy aging comes with challenges. For a variety of reasons, as each year passes, the likelihood of falling increases.

According to Dr. Boris Goralnik, a geriatric specialist at UPMC in North Central Pa, a fall is defined as an unexpected event in which a person comes to rest on the ground, floor, or a lower level.

“Falls result in fall-related injuries, progression of gait impairments, loss of independence, depression,” Goralnik said. “It is a leading cause of injury-related morbidity and mortality among older adults.”

By preventing falls, providers try to prevent related injuries such as fractures, hematomas, and skin lacerations. From practice and literature, said Goralnik, the most important risk factor of falls is a previous history of falls.

According to Janine Fee, MS, MPT, a physical therapist who is certified in vestibular rehabilitation at Evangelical Community Hospital, physical balance, which is important to avoid falling, can be complicated.

“I like to use the analogy of a baseball field,’’ Fee said. “Every player on the field is important and if a player is not working, then your team — your balance — is going to be impacted.”

Fee said many systems have a direct impact on balance. Eyes, ears, sense of touch — especially with our feet, muscle strength, flexibility, and posture are a few. And, the brain can have a major impact on our ability to avoid falling.

Fee said any weakening of one or more of these areas will significantly increase the risk of falling.

According to the Centers for Disease Control website, one out of four seniors over the age of 65 will fall each year. One out of five of those falls will cause serious injuries such as broken bones or head injuries.

“This can then lead to serious consequences that may significantly impact a person’s overall quality of life,” said Fee. “Even if the fall didn’t cause harm, it is likely that the person now develops a fear of falling.”

Many factorsIn many cases, Goralnik said, falls and fall-related injuries lead to substantial deficiency in activities of daily living and the need for supportive care for older adults. He agreed with Fee that a fear of falling leads to things like not participating in activities that require balance, causing weaknesses and furthering the risk of repeated falls. Paying attention to the body and being more aware of areas contributing to balance is a big step in preventing falls.

Age alone should not be blamed as a factor regarding balance, said Fee.

“I strongly believe that if you stay active, you can minimize the effects that aging has on all of these players,” Fee said.

Diseases and underlying medical conditions like Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, neuropathy, strokes, vision problems, and pain can impact a person’s balance. Other factors such as medications, fear of falling, and environmental factors.

It is very important for older patients to discuss with their providers any changes in the gait, possible new onset gait unsteadiness, or if they start to experience new musculoskeletal pain, Goralnik advised.

“Some of the medications may increase the risk of falls,” said Goralnik. “It is very important for people to have a complete list of all current medications when they visit their medical providers.”

Having detailed information, he said, about existing and potential risk factors may help reduce the risk of future falls.

Fee added that testing can be completed to assess balance and what kind of treatment or therapy might be available to assist with balance. Fee said a fall risk assessment is a good first step to preventing falls.

“You can talk to your doctor or health care provider to refer you to a physical therapist to evaluate your risk for falling,” said Fee.

She said a physical therapist will measure/evaluate strength, flexibility, analyzation of posture and feet, how you walk and perform specific balance measures to determine your areas of weakness. The therapist may also ask about fall history and possible home hazards like uneven pavement, rugs, steps, clutter or pets.

“Then a physical therapist can design a specialized treatment program to help you reduce your risk of falls,” Fee said. “Other recommendations to improve overall balance is getting involved in a local gym where you can perform strength and balance exercises like Tai Chi or yoga.”

Temporary conditionsIn addition to medical conditions such as strokes, brain injuries, etc., other temporary conditions also have effects on an individual’s balance.

Fee, a physical therapist who specializes in inner ear disorders, said the most common inner ear problem is a condition known as Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). Classic symptoms include brief episodes of spinning or imbalance that occur when lying down, rolling over in bed, or looking up.

“BPPV can significantly increase a person’s risk for falling especially if they have other balance risk factors. This problem is easily identified by the physical therapist that is trained in detecting inner ear problems,” she added.

Fee said a physical therapist with specialized training can provide the most appropriate intervention to reduce or resolve these symptoms in as little as one to three sessions.

Fee said physical therapists can often identify risk factors and provide specific recommendations to improve balance.

“Physical therapists are like coaches, but you have to do the work. In order for your balance to improve, you have to challenge the team!”

Goralnik added, that in many cases, falls and fall-related injuries lead to substantial deficiency with activities of daily living and the need for supportive care for older adults.

The economic burdens from falls are substantial and likely to increase with the growth of the older population, according to Goralnik.

Fall-related health care costs include hospital bills, fees for professional service, and costs of prescription medications, home health services, long-term care facilities, and durable medical equipment.

“Always inform your doctor about recent falls and fall-related injuries,” concluded Gorainik.

It is very important for seniors to discuss any changes of the gait, possible new onset gait unsteadiness, or if they started to experience new musculoskeletal pain with their doctor.

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For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

It is very helpful for anyone looking to improve their stability.

What are some of the health benefit of Tai Chi according to Harvard Health?

Improved balance
Improved muscle strength
Improved flexibility

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like mobility.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like balance.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like stability.

What did some studies show about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It improves the balance of older people.

It limits the danger of falls among the elderly.

What did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice?

What do orthopedic specialists say about the benefits of learning Tai Chi?

Excercises like the horse stance in Tai Chi that can help prevent falls.

What have studies shown about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms that may cause falls of elderly patients.

What health advantages have been linked to regular practice of Tai Chi?

Why did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice Tai Chi?

Because it can prevent falls that may result in fracture.

The practice of Tai Chi has been shown to reduce fall risk in older adults by improving balance, which is a key factor in preventing falls and related injuries.

Title:

Content: Learn about the sport of Tai Chi
The German health centre says Tai Chi is a centuries-old Chinese martial art, also known as shadow boxing.
It combines physical training, self-defense and meditation.
The focus of Tai Chi is on body tightening, mental alertness and breathing, the center explained, noting that motor training consists of a series of traditional Chinese physical exercises that flow smoothly with each other in order to achieve harmony between body and soul.
Muscle and Joint Stimulation
In this way all the muscles, tendons, joints and bones are stimulated and stretched in a gentle way.
The upright position of the back during exercise creates a stretching effect in the spine, relieving pressure on the intervertebral discs.
The nervous system is also positively affected by the gentle posture of the back.
Studies have suggested that tai chi reduces the risk of falls in older adults thanks to its ability to improve their balance.
The sport also has a positive effect on degenerative arthritis, the symptoms of which are knee stiffness, pain and swelling.
Improve lung function
Tai chi is also beneficial for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as it improves lung function.
It is also useful for patients with Parkinson ’ s, which affects the nervous system and its symptoms are disorders of movement, tremor of the hands, stiffness and instability of the body position, where sports contribute to improving balance and mobility.
In addition, tai chi improves the cognitive functioning of the brain, making it also useful for dementia patients.
On the other hand, slow flowing movements have a relaxing and meditative effect, helping to feel relaxed, calm and psychologically comfortable.
Source: German

For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

It is very helpful for anyone looking to improve their stability.

What are some of the health benefit of Tai Chi according to Harvard Health?

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like mobility.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like balance.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like stability.

What did some studies show about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It improves the balance of older people.

It limits the danger of falls among the elderly.

What did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice?

What do orthopedic specialists say about the benefits of learning Tai Chi?

Excercises like the horse stance in Tai Chi that can help prevent falls.

What have studies shown about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms that may cause falls of elderly patients.

Why did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice Tai Chi?

Because it can prevent falls that may result in fracture.

Tai Chi can be adapted to meet the needs of individuals with physical limitations, and chair-based exercises are a suitable option for older adults who require supported exercises.

Title:

Content: Tai Chi can help obese people reduce waist circumference
Font Size:
The School of Public Health of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) recently held a press conference to announce a new study found that tai chi exercise can help elderly people with "central obesity" reduce waist circumference, the effect of which is similar to traditional exercise.
Tai Chi is a long-established traditional Chinese martial arts, integrating the body and mind, and is regarded as a "dynamic meditation" of the body and mind movement.
It is reported that the School of Public Health of HKU School of Medicine, in conjunction with the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the University of California, Los Angeles, the research team recruited 543 Chinese aged 50 or above who were defined as “central obesity ” to participate in the study between February 2016 and March 2018.
Participants were randomly assigned to the tai chi exercise group, the traditional exercise group, or the no-exercise control group.
According to the research team, participants in the tai chi exercise group and the traditional exercise group are required to participate in a 12-week exercise course three times a week, one hour each time.
The Tai Chi exercise group is taught by instructors the most popular and widely known 24 Yang Tai Chi, while the traditional exercise group contains muscle-strengthening training such as brisk walking, hand bending, hand side lifting, shoulder lifting, squatting and heel lifting.
The team measured waist circumference and other indicators of metabolic health for all participants before, during the 12th and 38th weeks of the course.
The study found that participants in the tai chi exercise group and the traditional exercise group reduced their average waist circumference by 1.8 cm and 1.3 cm, respectively, after no dietary intervention and after 12 weeks of exercise.
Exercise intervention also helped to increase the high density cholesterol levels of participants in the Tai Chi exercise group and the traditional exercise group.
Xiao Minghui, director and associate professor of kinesiology at the School of Public Health of HKU Medical School, pointed out that recent academic articles have clarified that waist circumference is an important health risk indicator and is closely related to overweight, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
The results show that Tai Chi exercise, like traditional exercise, can effectively improve central obesity. Xiao Minghui believes that the results of the study are good news for the elderly who have difficulty moving or do not like traditional exercise, but have central obesity.
LIKE Our official website for more information

For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

It is very helpful for anyone looking to improve their stability.

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like mobility.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like stability.

What did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice?

What do orthopedic specialists say about the benefits of learning Tai Chi?

What excercises shall aid in Alzheimer's and dementia prevention?

What have studies shown about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms that may cause falls of elderly patients.

Regular practice of Tai Chi has been linked to reduced waist circumference, increased high-density cholesterol levels, and improved overall health in elderly individuals.

For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

How often should one practice Tai Chi to benefit from the exercise?

What health advantages have been linked to regular practice of Tai Chi?

The optimal frequency and duration of Tai Chi practice for significant improvements are not clearly defined, but practicing Tai Chi three times a week for one hour each time, with a 12-week course, can be beneficial for overall health.

For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

It is very helpful for anyone looking to improve their stability.

How often should one practice Tai Chi to benefit from the exercise?

What are some of the health benefit of Tai Chi according to Harvard Health?

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like mobility.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like balance.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like stability.

What did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice?

What do orthopedic specialists say about the benefits of learning Tai Chi?

What excercises shall aid in Alzheimer's and dementia prevention?

What have studies shown about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms that may cause falls of elderly patients.

What health advantages have been linked to regular practice of Tai Chi?

Tai Chi has been shown to improve balance and mobility in older adults, and it also has benefits for individuals with degenerative arthritis, Parkinson's disease, and dementia.

For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

It is very helpful for anyone looking to improve their stability.

What are some of the health benefit of Tai Chi according to Harvard Health?

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like mobility.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like balance.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like stability.

What did some studies show about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It improves the balance of older people.

It limits the danger of falls among the elderly.

What do orthopedic specialists say about the benefits of learning Tai Chi?

Excercises like the horse stance in Tai Chi that can help prevent falls.

What excercises shall aid in Alzheimer's and dementia prevention?

What have studies shown about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms of Parkinson's disease that may cause falls of elderly patients.

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms that may cause falls of elderly patients.

What study was included in trials combining excercise with a cognitive compoent?

Cognitively enhanced tai chi in older adults at risk for dementia.

Why did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice Tai Chi?

Because it can prevent falls that may result in fracture.

The slow movements of Tai Chi have a relaxing and meditative effect, which can contribute to its overall health benefits, including reduced stress and improved mood.

What does Ruth Taylor-Piliae of University of Arizona's College of Nursin say about Tai Chi?

She tells NPR that Tai Chi's gentle, slow movements and controlled breathing tend to activate what's known as the parasympathetic nervous system, which relaxes the body during times of stress.

What health advantages have been linked to regular practice of Tai Chi?

An overall sense of well-being.
Lower stress levels.

Tai Chi can be done at home, making it a convenient option for older adults, and it is a low-impact exercise that can be adapted to meet the needs of individuals with physical limitations.

Title:

Content: Tai Chi Tops Other Exercises for Blood Pressure

More participants in a yearlong study saw their numbers drop than those who did aerobic exercises
By Gina Carey,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 17, 2024 8:23 AM CDT

Signing up for a tai chi class might come with an unexpected health benefit: lower blood pressure. A new clinical trial found that participants with prehypertension or slightly elevated blood pressure had improved measurements after practicing tai chi for a year—even more so than a group that regularly did aerobic exercises, reports the Washington Post. The yearlong study split 342 adults in China into two groups. The first group was given an aerobic regimen—60 minutes of moderate exercise like brisk walking—to practice four times per week. The second group learned a tai chi routine to perform four times weekly for an hour.

The participants had their blood pressure measured six months in, and then again after a year. During the course of the study, they also received health education and were encouraged to follow a diet developed to improve heart health. While all participants were at risk of hypertension at the start of the study, 21.8% of people from the tai chi group saw their blood pressure lowered to an ideal range, while 15.6% from the aerobic group fell within that range, according to the study published in the journal JAMA Network Open. So what might explain tai chi's advantage in lowering blood pressure?

Ruth Taylor-Piliae of University of Arizona's College of Nursing tells NPR that tai chi's gentle, slow movements and controlled breathing tend to activate what's known as the parasympathetic nervous system, which relaxes the body during times of stress. She also notes that it's an accessible form of exercise. "I think the beauty of tai chi is that you don't have to have a special gym membership, you don't have to have special clothing," says Taylor-Piliae, who was not involved in study. "Once you learn tai chi, you can do it anytime, anyplace, anywhere. And it does kind of provide that calming, relaxing" effect. Other benefits associated with tai chi include improved balance, flexibility, and muscle strength, per Harvard Health. (More blood pressure stories.)

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For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

It is very helpful for anyone looking to improve their stability.

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like mobility.

What did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice?

What do orthopedic specialists say about the benefits of learning Tai Chi?

Excercises like the horse stance in Tai Chi that can help prevent falls.

What excercises shall aid in Alzheimer's and dementia prevention?

What have studies shown about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms that may cause falls of elderly patients.

Cognitively enhanced Tai Chi improves global cognition scores in older adults and delays cognitive decline, making it a valuable exercise for older adults at risk of dementia.

Title:

Content: Lifestyle Interventions and Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer's and Dementia

— "Without any change, the number of Americans with Alzheimer's disease could more than double"

MedpageToday

Cognitive decline in Alzheimer's and other dementias may be delayed for some at-risk older adults, recent clinical trials have suggested.

The ACHIEVE study, for example, reported that hearing aids cut the rate of cognitive decline by 48% over 3 years in older adults who had a high risk of dementia. And in a randomized controlled trial of people with mild cognitive impairment or self-reported memory concerns, cognitively enhanced tai-chi led to improved global cognition scores.

"Currently, two-thirds of Americans have at least one major risk factor for dementia," said Heather Snyder, PhD, of the Alzheimer's Association in Chicago.

"The need for effective risk reduction strategies to help all communities grows larger by the day," Snyder stated. "Without any change, the number of Americans with Alzheimer's disease could more than double by mid-century."

In 2015, the FINGER study in Finland was the first randomized controlled trial to show it was possible to delay cognitive decline using a multidomain lifestyle intervention.

In the U.S., the POINTER study is evaluating multiple ways to protect cognition in 2,000 at-risk older adults. "Recruiting for the clinical trial was successfully completed in March 2023," Snyder said. "The study is expected to begin reporting results in summer 2025."

"U.S. POINTER community-based teams recruited nearly 30% of participants from communities that are traditionally underrepresented in research, including racially and ethnically minoritized individuals and those from rural areas," she added.

New Clinical Trial Data

About 40% of dementia cases may be prevented or delayed by modifying 12 risk factors, according to a 2020 report from the Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention, and care.

In the past year, several trials have shown that lifestyle interventions -- notably ones involving physical exercise or hearing aids -- could delay dementia onset. Two trials have combined exercise with a cognitive component, including a study of cognitively enhanced tai chi in older adults at risk for dementia, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

"Research has shown that both physical and mental activity may attenuate age-related declines in cognitive function and dual task activities, but combined physical and mental challenges may be more effective than either alone," said study co-author Peter Harmer, PhD, MPH, of the Oregon Research Institute in Eugene.

Cognitively enhanced tai chi was designed to synergistically stimulate neuroplasticity, Harmer noted. The regimen included an emphasis on performing properly despite an interfering mental or motor task, following instructions that required recalling names and detailed steps, and distinguishing correct from miscued instructions.

The study randomized older adults with mild cognitive impairment or self-reported memory concerns to stretching, standard tai chi, or cognitively enhanced tai chi for 1 hour semi-weekly for 24 weeks. The cognitively enhanced tai chi group outperformed other groups on improvements in both global cognition scores and dual-task performance while walking, with effects persisting at 48 weeks.

The SYNERGIC trial, published in JAMA Network Open, took a different approach to combining physical exercise and cognitive training. SYNERGIC randomized older adults with mild cognitive impairment to physical exercise with or without cognitive training and vitamin D supplementation for 20 weeks.

Overall, those who received aerobic-resistance exercises with sequential computerized cognitive training had improved cognition, but some results were inconsistent.

The multidomain intervention effect was larger than the improvement from exercise alone, reported Manuel Montero-Odasso, MD, PhD, of the Parkwood Institute in London, Ontario, and co-authors, and vitamin D supplementation showed no significant benefit. In several arms of the trial, cognitive improvements diminished slightly at 12 months, but did not revert to baseline levels.

Another intervention that showed promise was the use of hearing aids. Hearing loss is treatable in later life, which makes it an important public health target to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, noted Frank Lin, MD, PhD, of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, and colleagues who reported the findings of the ACHIEVE trial in The Lancet.

ACHIEVE assigned participants to one of two interventions -- either hearing aids or a health education program. Both groups received follow-up visits every 6 months, and cognitive tests were conducted every year for 3 years.

The trial's main analysis showed no difference in the rate of change in cognitive functioning between the hearing aid group and the education group. In a pre-specified analysis of participants with high risk for future dementia, however, cognitive decline was reduced over 3 years in those assigned to wear hearing aids compared with those who received health education.

Policies to Help Reduce Cognitive Decline

Research about Alzheimer's and dementia risk factors is evolving, and Lancet Commission researcher Gill Livingston, MD, of the University College London in England, is optimistic that policymakers will continue to use new insights to help reduce global cognitive decline.

Since 2020, several countries have taken steps to address modifiable risk factors, Livingston noted. "U.S. policy has changed, and many countries and the World Health Organization have issued new policy documents," she said.

In the U.S., the 2023 update to the National Alzheimer's Project Act included new risk reduction strategies, Livingston pointed out. The CDC also extended its Healthy Brain Initiative program with state and local health officials.

An updated Lancet Commission report about dementia is under review and should be published this year, Livingston said.

Disclosures

Snyder had no conflicts of interest.

Harmer reported no conflicts of interest.

Livingston had no conflicts of interest.

For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

What did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice?

What excercises shall aid in Alzheimer's and dementia prevention?

What has a study that includes the cognitively enhanced Tai Chi found out?

The cognitively enhanced Tai Chi group outperformed other groups on improvements in global cognition scores.

What health advantages have been linked to regular practice of Tai Chi?

What study was included in trials combining excercise with a cognitive compoent?

Cognitively enhanced tai chi in older adults at risk for dementia.

Tai Chi has been linked to longer life, lower illness risk, and improved physical health, making it a beneficial exercise for older adults.

Title:

Content: Homepage

A financial analyst explains how tai chi 'stress bending' helped her avoid burnout in her high-stakes career

  • Former financial analyst Shirley Chock said tai chi helped her thrive in a career prone to burnout.
  • She now teaches tai chi full-time to help others boost their focus and energy while reducing stress.
  • Tai chi has been linked to a longer life, lower risk of illness, and better mental health, research suggests.
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Former Yale financial analyst Shirley Chock is no stranger to stress.

Throughout her career, she saw her peers crumbling from the pressure of juggling a heavy workload and high-stakes assignments while trying to keep their health and their personal lives afloat.

In contrast, Chock found herself much better off, working her way up through the ranks to a manager position and even netting a Working Mother of the Year award, with energy to spare.

Her "secret" to success? Tai chi, a traditional Chinese martial art known for slow, gentle movements, which she said helped her stress-proof her routine.

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"I realized I was applying what I was learning in the martial art to my career and my life," she told Business Insider. "It was like I discovered a secret scroll because no one talked about tai chi in this way."

Tai chi was the key to staying healthy, focused, and energized in a career that left colleagues burned out, according to Chock.

"They just seemed like they were beaten down and facing obstacles all the time. And it was a much easier road for me to navigate the career," she said. "I had energy at the end of the day."

The experience was so profound that Chock left her finance career to teach the art full time with Aiping Tai Chi, a Connecticut-based school with a growing social media presence.

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Now her goal is to create an "army of stress-benders," demonstrating how to use tai chi to reduce stress, improve focus, and boost physical and mental health even (or especially) in a fast-paced, ambitious lifestyle.

"It helps you to stay centered so that you don't get distracted by all of these things that are trying to pull you away from your focus," Chock said.

How tai chi can make you mentally and physically stronger as you age

Chock found tai chi by accident. She initially used the deliberate, graceful movements of the practice to recover from an injury while training and competing in mixed martial arts and kung fu.

"I thought it would just be a recovery thing for me because I really wanted to do the cool acrobatic moves," Chock said. "I had this misconception that had was for old people like everybody else."

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It's true that tai chi has some serious benefits for healthy aging, helping to improve factors linked to a longer life like balance, mobility, and stability. Evidence also suggests it can help lower blood pressure, even in younger people. Practicing tai chi has been linked to better wellbeing, lower risk of anxiety, and fewer symptoms of depression in some studies.

But Chock was most excited about how learning tai chi was teaching her about habits to improve focus and energy in the rest of her life, and became hooked on the challenge of mastering the subtly of the art.

For instance, the tai chi concept of allowing your body to flow with gravity instead of resisting it beautifully illustrates how you can choose to respond to life challenges too, prioritizing what matters instead of becoming distracted by conflicts that ultimately aren't worth your energy.

Practicing stress management and focus through movement not only gives you the physical benefits of the exercise, but a deeper understanding of what it means than you might get from picking up a self-help book.

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"You might learn it in theory, but then when you need to apply it, you don't actually have it," Chock said. "Tai chi is a way for you to understand these philosophies in life by learning them through your body. In that moment where you're overloaded, the body just knows what to do."

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For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like mobility.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like balance.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like stability.

What did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice?

What do orthopedic specialists say about the benefits of learning Tai Chi?

Excercises like the horse stance in Tai Chi that can help prevent falls.

What excercises shall aid in Alzheimer's and dementia prevention?

What have studies shown about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms that may cause falls of elderly patients.

Overall, Tai Chi is a valuable exercise for older adults, as it improves mobility, prevents falls, and enhances overall physical and mental health.

For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

It is very helpful for anyone looking to improve their stability.

What are some of the health benefit of Tai Chi according to Harvard Health?

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like mobility.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like balance.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like stability.

What did some studies show about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It improves the balance of older people.

It limits the danger of falls among the elderly.

What did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice?

What do orthopedic specialists say about the benefits of learning Tai Chi?

Excercises like the horse stance in Tai Chi that can help prevent falls.

What excercises shall aid in Alzheimer's and dementia prevention?

What have studies shown about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms that may cause falls of elderly patients.

What health advantages have been linked to regular practice of Tai Chi?

Why did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice Tai Chi?

Because it can prevent falls that may result in fracture.