Page 36 - Seniors Today - Vol1 Issue 3
P. 36
Fitness
Here’s how to move it
Try Qigong Tai Chi, a traditional system of movement
that spruces you up. By Fatema Rajkotwala
Feeling tired or drained more than usual lately? old age with a resigned acceptance. Instead I’d
Looking at others around you and wondering like to introduce you to the loveliness of Qigong
how they aren’t as spent as you and maybe Tai Chi. If you’ve heard of Tai Chi, you’ll know
even raring to go for a bout of socialising in that is a form of martial arts that uses various
the evening? Unless you have a legitimately movements for combat and defence. Over
physically active day, this is not supposed to be the years though, Qigong was developed as a
your normal, no matter what your age. I have form of harnessing and creating energy while
been rolling my eyes lately each time I hear 30 releasing blockages within our energy channels.
somethings say, “We’re old now.” I understand It therefore became widely used by masters
that office work during our youth is mentally and common folk to increase their inner
draining and in our later years, our bodies slow powerhouse of energy to be able to be stronger
down but I truly believe that our mental and and have more reserve energy to share and heal
emotional age, that is to say, the way we think those in need. Tai Chi is widely practiced as a
and feel about ourselves ends up defining how form of movement-based meditation world over
we live our lives. If our bodies are in discomfort, and has been supported by a lot of scientific
chronic pain or dis-ease, our mind loses its proof as regards its benefits and capacity to
willpower to be strong and as the negative self restore, rejuvenate and realign discrepancies
talk builds up, we feel older than we probably that may have developed within the systems of
need to feel. So, what can be done about this, the body and mind.
when we have reached a time in a our journey
where most physical forms of exercise that can
help heal and relax the body are not advisable
but our body is reminding us that we are old
daily?
In some ways the answer comes down to one
word: Grace. No, I am not sitting here as a young
person with few odd years of Yoga practice and
less than half time in life experience, advising
you to force yourself to bear the real changes of
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