“Chen Tai Chi is like a leaf that slowly floats down from a tree and then a cool breeze comes by,” one senior practitioner describes his feeling after a session. As a safe and adaptable form of aerobic exercise, Chen Tai Chi has been practiced by seniors to improve their general fitness for years. Chen Tai Chi movements are slow and mindful, gently stretching all of your joints and muscles in a single session. As you go from one movement to the next, your body weight shifts from one leg to the other. These weight transfers that engage many muscles that we do not normally exercise in our daily lives improve balance and prevent falls. Arguably the biggest benefit of Chen Tai Chi is the way it helps improve flexibility and balance. As you move, you focus your attention on certain bodily sensations, such as the feeling of the ground beneath your feet. This is meant to encourage mindfulness which can promote feelings of well-being. As you go through the movements, you pay close attention to your breathing pattern, focusing on taking long, continuous breaths; this helps your body take in more oxygen, which boosts energy.
An analysis of 10 studies published in 2017 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that people over age 55 who took Chen Tai Chi classes on a regular basis reduced their risk of falling. Chen Tai Chi also appears to improve sensation in the ankles and feet of seniors with type 2 diabetes. This is important because people with diabetes are at an increased risk for nerve damage that can lead to numbness and loss of sensation in the lower legs and feet.
Several systematic reviews suggest that Chen Tai Chi is an effective measure for the prevention and rehabilitation of cardiovascular disease, including heart disease, strokes, atherosclerosis, and high blood pressure.