Q: I am a healthy, slim 52-year-old executive who has been working in Hong Kong for three months. In the early mornings, I've noticed many elderly people doing tai-chi exercises in the parks. My favourite exercise is walking, but I am interested in learning more about the benefits of tai chi and the principles of how it works. Can you explain them to me? Dr Rose writes: Tai chi is not merely aerobic exercise in slow motion. It is one of the most highly-regarded forms of exercise in Chinese culture. It is the ultimate exercise form to maintain fitness, mental acuity and longevity for people of all ages. To improve their health, young adults and even children take up tai chi on a regular basis.
A key concept in tai chi is the balance between conflicts and resolution, and the interplay between the mind and body. Tai chi teaches students to use their minds as the central co-ordination of the body's movements and reactions in response to life's stresses.
This interplay between the body and mind offers a striking contrast to the Western form of aerobic exercise where all the activity is focused on physical movements and repetition and little attention is paid to the mental aspect of fitness.
Unfortunately, it seems, with the exception of yoga, most exercises we do these days involve mind and body dis-association.
Some known benefits of tai chi include a significant increase in the body's balance and co-ordination, and a mild to moderate level of cardiovascular conditioning.
This level of conditioning is equal to walking at a pace of six kilometres per hour and offers little risk to those with a history of moderate to significant heart disease. Improvements in strength and flexibility have also been reported.