Are you too old for martial arts?  That's a good question.  You might make excuses that you can't exercise because of your arthritis, high blood pressure or heart condition.

You may have convinced yourself that you shouldn't participate in such strenuous activity…..and you may be right, you must ask your doctor first….but he'll probably say yes (sorry!!)

Maybe you're avoiding exercise for another reason though?  You have noticed that you are sleeping in later than when you were younger and it's taking more effort to get out of the bed.  You hear your knees crinkling as you walk up stairs and sometimes you wheeze.  You want to get into shape but you're……lazy!   

Now, you're thinking….who do you think I am Jackie Chan or Jet Li?  Well….FYI,  Jackie Chan is 47 and Jet Li is 44 so there are no excuses. 

So lets talk Tai Chi….

The founder of Tai Chi is Chang San Feng (a monk).  Although this is disputed, Tai Chi can be traced back to the Chen village in the 1500s and early 1600s.

Tai Chi works on the "internal".  Slow moving with deep breathing and proper posture facilitates the Chi (energy) flow.

The most popular Tai Chi styles is Yang.  Characterized by it's consistent slow, smooth movements with continuous motion.  The whole body moves together and the stance is wide.   All martial arts training improves balance, flexibility, stamina and posture which are good for senior citizens.  Similar to Qigong, Tai Chi promotes health, healing, longevity, spiritual development even self-defense with the long term goal of mastering tension and relaxation.

According to many martial arts experts, many illnesses are caused by a disruption in the flow of  energy through the meridians (channels that allow energy to flow throughout the patient's body). 

So it is believed that by improving or repairing the chi flow in the body, a healthy balance of energy will return and maintain the person's health.

The  American Journal of Chinese Medicine conducted a study that found  studying Qigong (often practiced in conjunction with different forms of martial arts such as Tai Chi), has profound benefits.  Due to the side effects of conventional medicine for illnesses such as hypertension (high blood pressure),  qigong is recommended as a viable alternative.  

Tai Chi has been practiced in America since 1980 and is particularly popular with the elderly population because it is generally slower than other forms of exercise and can be practiced without too much physical exertion.  Due to the fact that it is so "low impact"  it is the perfect physical activity for older individuals with joint degeneration, muscle weakening, poor balance or low stamina  

Two medical practitioners (Li Hong and K.M. Chan) reviewed thirty-one studies published in the American and Chinese Journals.  The results of their review showed because Tai Chi (classified as a moderate exercise) doesn't demand more that 55% of maximal oxygen uptake, it is considered a moderate exercise. The review went on to say that Tai Chi has profound effects on metabolism and cardiorespiratory response, mental control, preventions of falls (in the elderly) and immune capacity.  

In conclusion....due to the fact that falls are reported as the leading cause of accidental death in the elderly…it is no doubt that more and more elderly people are practicing Tai Chi. So as you can see….you have no excuses….get with it!!  Who knows you might even find a few friends along the way!!