Better Chi Through Technology

BETTER CHI THROUGH TECHNOLOGY

Tai Chi has been around for a long time, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t make it better with modern technological advances. Scientific research, the cell phone and the world wide web offer exciting opportunities to improve our experience of Tai Chi.

Peer reviewed medical research continues to pile up evidence that Tai Chi is one of the best exercises for older adults. Unfortunately many traditional Tai Chi training programs ignore advances in safe exercise instruction. Do yourself a favor and check out a modernized Tai Chi program like those created by the Tai Chi for Health Institute. These programs are evidence-based and endorsed by the United States Center for Disease Control and global Arthritis Foundations as “safe, effective and accessible.”

Cell phones offer us the opportunity to record and review our personal Tai Chi and Qigong practice easily. Not sure that you are doing a movement properly? Make a video of yourself and watch it. Tai Chi principles like moving slowly, smoothly and continuously with an upright body can be introduced and improved in our personal practice simply by seeing what we are actually doing in a video. Also, Tai Chi instructional platforms like Dr. Paul Lam’s Online Lessons are now available at our fingertips, allowing us to view form demonstrations and movement instruction anytime, anywhere, for instance while sitting in a rocking chair waiting for a child to fall asleep.

Improvements in internet accessibility and quality enable almost anyone anywhere to attend online in-person classes. In a typical week, Tai Chi Lake Geneva hosts Zoom Chi sessions that include participants from all across the United States, and sometimes from half the world away. Often the participants gather before and linger after class to share personal challenges and insights gleaned in their own practice and teaching. There’s a global tai chi community eager to meet and support you!

Tai Chi doesn’t need to be mysterious. You truly can achieve Better Chi Through Technology!