Tai Chi and Memory

The combination of Tai Chi movements and breathing is an obvious choice to maintain physical health. That is to say they help to promote emotional balance, memory and general wellbeing. 

Tai Chi can help ‘rewire’ the brain

Tai chi is known to improve flexibility and focus. This is because it requires acknowledgment and mastery of the present. Each step is intentional and predictable. This consistency can be empowering. In addition, the repetitive movements can help to reconnect different neural pathways in the brain. Its slow and relaxed, yet concentrated movements strengthen the parts of the brain that control walking and breathing.   

The dan tian breathing method builds inner muscle and mind strength. That is to say, the focus on the deep stabilizer muscles strengthens the spine and major joints. In addition, the mindful movements assist with building strength quickly and easily. Deep breathing increases oxygenation and blood flow to the brain. Consequently, it increases heart rate variability, which affects cognitive areas of the brain in a positive way, too.  Above all, the emphasis on building inner strength through breathing helps to calm and focus the mind. It also helps to activate the parasympathetic nervous system to enhance the body’s power to repair and restore.    

The slow controlled movement stimulates blood flow to the whole body. This creates a calming and energizing experience. Above all, the brain stimulation is especially important and effective for maintaining body awareness. Such body awareness helps to maintain mindfulness and self concept. It helps to keep memory functions activated.     What makes Tai Chi work for any health benefit are the fundamental principles. That is to say, slow, controlled movements, upright posture and a sense of open, relaxed joints. These healthy exercise principles are embedded throughout our programme. This means that sessions will benefit anybody who attends. However there are specific considerations for certain health conditions.

Tai Chi for Memory

Our wellness programme includes a seated session of Tai Chi for Memory. The set was developed by the Tai Chi for Health Institute. Shirley is one of Dr Paul Lam’s Instructors, trained to deliver the sessions in an effective way.

The combination of mindful movement and focussed breathing helps to maintain physical wellbeing. It also helps to improve emotional balance, memory and general health.   Tai Chi breathing develops inner muscle and mind strength, and the movements assist with building that strength.

For inner muscle strength, we focus on the deep stabilizer muscles. These are the muscles which fortify the spine and major joints. Importantly, the breathing increases oxygenation and blood flow to the brain as well as the entire body. It increases heart rate variability. This affects cognitive areas of the brain in a positive way, too.  The emphasis on building inner strength through breathing helps to calm and focus the mind. In addition, it activates the parasympathetic nervous system. This enhances the body’s power to repair and restore. Body awareness helps to maintain mindfulness, self concept, autobiographical memories and even spatial memory.  The Qi Gong exercise “Ring the Mind Bell.” massages key acupuncture points for general brain stimulation and calming the mind.