If you stop to chat with anyone in the gym these days, chances are good that the discussion will eventually circle around to fitness bands.  Whether it is a Jawbone or a Fitbit, these new gadgets are quietly taking hold of the exercise realm.  Once thought to be the epitome of tracking devices when it came to workout efficiency, caloric expenditure, or steps taken in a single day, many avid exercisers are now looking for ways to unplug while still maintaining current fitness levels.

While fitness bands may serve as a motivation tool for serious workout aficionados, what about the rest of the population, for whom even entering a gym causes spikes of apprehension or feelings of futility?  Are these individuals genetically predisposed to a lifetime of unhealthy habits?  What is to become of the small percentage of adults who are not techno-savvy?  (Yes, I fall squarely into that category!) 

As it turns out, technology is not always the answer to our quest for staying fit.  Tai Chi is an ancient tradition, often referred to an art form, which blends slow and graceful movements with meditation and relaxation techniques.  A polar opposite of apps and technology, such practices invite one to free the mind, a luxury we don’t often allow ourselves, especially when gadgets seem ubiquitous and highly capable of taking over.   

In truth, immersion into the Far Eastern culture of Tai Chi has the potential of transporting us away from the plugged-in arena, allowing the flow of energy to be directed inward, thereby calming a mind that has often become too heavily influenced by external data. Focusing on breathing and balancing movements, this ancient meditative art can indeed improve one’s fitness levels even in the absence of what generally comes to mind when one attempts to define “exercise”.  Without the huffing and puffing of high-intensity interval training, Tai Chi tries to reclaim the inner energy and allows it to permeate the body from the mind to the extremities.

Tai chi differs from other types of exercise in many respects. The movements are usually circular and smooth, the muscles are relaxed, connective tissues are not stretched beyond their comfort zone, and joints are neither fully extended nor bent. Tai chi can be easily adapted for anyone, from the athletic individuals to those confined to wheelchairs or recovering from surgery.  

Tai chi may seem too slow and gentle to be considered real exercise; however, in its own quiet way it addresses many of the key components of fitness — muscle strength, flexibility and balance.   According to Dr. Gloria Yeh, Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School, “Although you aren’t working with weights or resistancebands, the unsupported arm exercise involved in tai chi strengthens your upper body. Tai chi strengthens both the lower and upper extremities and also the core muscles of the back and abdomen.” 

With its focus on balance, Tai Chi has been shown to reduce falls, a significant fear as we age.  Since the ability to gauge one’s positioning in an open space, known as proprioception, tends to decline as our lives extend longer, practicing Tai Chi can facilitate the retraining of this sense.  While also improving flexibility and muscle strength, this combination can increase one’s likelihood of either preventing a fall, or easily recovering from one.

Similarly to the language associated with masters of various types of yoga, Tai Chi classes also vary in format and are named after those ancient honored masters who devised the sets of movements.  Some forms emphasize breathing and focus, while others hone in on balance.  Still other forms incorporate martial arts.  Regardless of the name of the class, a beginner might choose to seek out and observe a Tai Chi course in progress to assess which one will best fits the needs being addressed.

This summer, try something new: relax, unplug, de-stress, and treat yourself to the healing art of Tai Chi. The text messages will still be there after class is over, I promise!