By Marian Varner

January—it’s a time when many of us think about our health objectives for the coming year. We would all like to enjoy good health, but sometimes that is not easy. For some, finding an interesting, fun exercise can be a challenge. Tai Chi is one exercise option that even those who experience health difficulties of various kinds can try.

The Oak Ridge branch of the International Taoist Tai Chi Society has been teaching Tai Chi locally for about 30 years. This charitable organization includes a Health Recovery class as one of its offerings, in addition to the usual beginner and continuing classes. The Health Recovery class enables students to work with various exercises, adapted to whatever limitations each student has.

Tai Chi is known for improving the health of its practitioners in numerous ways. Most students of this ancient Chinese art discover better balance, increased flexibility, and relief from stress. With regular practice of Tai Chi, students have reported improvement in conditions such as high blood pressure, arthritis, back pain, low spirits, joint immobility, respiratory problems, digestive disorders, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, the long-term consequences of trauma or stroke, and fibromyalgia. [Read more…]