Tai Chi reduce stress and has a beneficial effect on many conditions, from sore backs to mental health issues. The many stories of improvement to health and quality of life from people of all ages are very true. These arts also have a profoundly beneficial effect on deeper health issues such as MS or Parkinson’s Disease or problems resulting from traumatic injury.

Tai chi improves balance and reduces falls. Proprioception, the ability to sense the position of one’s body in space, declines with age. Tai chi helps train this sense, which is a function of sensory neurons in the inner ear and stretch receptors in the muscles and ligaments. Tai chi also improves muscle strength and flexibility, which makes it easier to recover from a stumble. Fear of falling can make you more likely to fall; some studies have found that tai chi training helps reduce that fear.

When you are looking for a big calorie burn, tai chi may not come to mind. Although the movements are performed in a slow, controlled manner, the exercise system actually burns a fair number of calories. During one hour of Tai Chi training the calorie burn is around 300!