Several years ago, I had the pleasure of being introduced to the practice of Tai Chi. The company I work for hosted one of the largest international conventions for fitness professionals, and by day five I was wiped out. While incredibly motivating (and the reason I became a personal trainer), it also exhausted my mind, body and spirit, and I knew that if I were to survive the remaining three days I would need to find a way to clear my head and rejuvenate my body.

I looked through the convention brochure and settled on a Tai Chi class taught by fitness and wellness expert Scott Cole. Though I’d read a bit about the practice, I’d never experienced it myself and was desperately hoping the one-hour class would provide me with the panacea I so desperately needed. It did.

During the course of the hour, I could feel each little ache and pain drip from my body like the beads of sweat that formed on my brow, while each bit of frustration, anxiety and negativity lifted and moved along like a passing cloud. Though I could have continued for more than the hour, upon completion of the class I was a new man. My body was strong and agile; my mind was clear, and my spirit was refreshed. The rest of the convention went by without a hitch, and I knew that I had been hooked by the gentle, yet powerful practice of Tai Chi. But even though I found it to be a tremendously liberating experience, why is it still a relatively unknown modality? This article will discuss the many benefits of Tai Chi and why you should include it in your weekly routine.

According to the Tai Chi Foundation and School of Tai Chi Chuan in New York, Tai Chi is a “system of movement, meditation, and self-defense from ancient Chinese culture. The T’ai Chi form consists of a sequence of postures, strung together in smooth, slow, continuous movement.” While the origins of the practice are unclear, it is based in the idea of yin and yang, or opposing forces such as negative and positive energy. Some believe that it was developed by a monk who observed a snake fighting with a bird. He determined that self defense was more about timing, patience and relaxation as opposed to brute force. Expert Scott Cole said, “Tai Chi is both the grandmother and grandfather of martial arts. Since all forms utilize opening up and focusing your Chi/energy for internal and external benefit, Tai Chi teaches you the balance of hard and soft, and the lessons surrounding that simple Yin and Yang concept (balancing of opposites) is multi-dimensionally huge.”

Despite its Eastern origins, Tai Chi is slowly gaining ground here in the United States as practitioners and researchers continue to determine the many benefits of regular practice. Some of the benefits include improved balance, decreased blood pressure and cholesterol, stress reduction and more. According to The Academy of Tai Chi and Wu Shu in Sunnyvale, Calif., Tai Chi results in “increased oxygen uptake and utilization (more efficient breathing), reduced blood pressure, slower declines in cardiovascular power, increased bone density, increased strength and range of motion of joints, greater leg strength, knee strength, and flexibility, reduced levels of stress hormones during and after practice, improved immune function, and heightened mood states.”

Cole adds that, despite its slow-moving, low-impact nature, the strength requirements and fat-burning potential of Tai Chi should not be underestimated. “Americans definitely don’t understand this one … I’ll keep it brief, but as you SIT into your leg base, moving from one position to the next, you are involving MAJOR muscle fibers in MAJOR muscle groups, so if you practice down into your leg base, knees bent, breathing slowly and fully, you will indeed feel it,” he says. “The slower you go the more physically intense it is actually.” It is also much gentler on the body than traditional weight training or cardiovascular modalities and can be practiced by users of all abilities. And from his experience, Cole has found that regular practice has led to a more peaceful existence. He says that it has helped him “on every level. From breathing better to sleeping better, to gaining internal wisdom and insight. I’m definitely more spontaneous these days, which is often frustrating for people who are not in that mode. I used to be such a control freak, and I think I may have swung too far the other way … time to focus a bit more perhaps. The difference now is that I don’t agonize nearly as much about ‘outcomes and agendas,’ and I feel just fine expressing my feelings firmly if needed, and gently if needed. And sex is amazing now,” he grins. “I have so much energy (Chi)!”

From improved balance, strength and mental clarity to greater energy and sex, there are many significant benefits to regular practice. But before jumping in with both feet, Cole suggests taking things slowly at first so as not to feel intimidated by the variety and order of movements. “If you choose to study with a Tai Chi master in your area, audit the class first and see if it is joyful or laborious,” he says. “Great Chi Masters will have a love for it and will inspire – not bore – with their teachings.” To find a master near you, visit http://sandiegotaichi.com/san_diego.html.