The benefits of slowing down

Recent trends in cooking and eating suggest that we are finally learning to slow down and appreciate every tasty nourishing mouthful instead of seeing food simply as necessary fuel for our bodies. Restaurants dedicated to the careful preparation of high-quality locally sourced organic ingredients, lovingly cooked and served, are springing up in every town.

A similar revolution is occurring in exercise - Scaravelli Yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi classes are gaining popularity in the UK now, and are starting to challenge the high-energy cardio-vascular stress & strain of the sweaty gym.

Tai Chi for example is an ancient form of slow, graceful and rhythmic exercise which originated in China, and is often being performed early in the morning when the air is at its freshest. Tai Chi is sometimes referred to as ‘meditation in movement' or ‘swimming in air' for externally that is how it appears. It is a soft martial art, quite unlike karate, ju jitsu or any of the ‘hard' martial arts which rely on force and speed.

What does Tai Chi do?
Tai Chi strengthens our internal energy, and allows it to flow more freely through the body. It is gentle and non-violent, though after much practice it is an extremely effective form of self defence. Classes tend to be co-operative rather than competitive - there are no grades or belts to achieve, and the emphasis is on small amounts of regular practice. Normally a new ‘posture' is learned every week - in Tai Chi this is a series of fluid, flowing movements rather than a static pose.

Although Tai Chi can eventually be used in self-defence, and many classes incorporate some of the practical applications, it is initially practiced for its health-giving benefits. It is particularly useful for calming the mind and body, increasing alertness and body awareness, and for developing concentration and sensitivity. Tai Chi helps with balance and posture, with mobility and stability and most students report a greater sense of ‘groundedness'.

Can anyone do it?
People of all ages and abilities can benefit from Tai Chi. No special equipment or uniform is required - loose, comfortable clothing is all you need, and flat-soled shoes if you have them (not trainers) although Tai Chi can be performed in socks or bare feet. Tai Chi is one of the gentlest types of exercise, and provided you're able to stand unaided you can easily practice and enjoy Tai Chi.

Will Tai Chi help my balance?
Tai Chi is now being recommended by many doctors to improve balance and posture, and as a way of helping to prevent falls particularly for elderly people. In 2011, the BBC and The Daily Telegraph both published the recommendation to take up Tai Chi.

At our Lewes & Newhaven Tai Chi schools in Sussex, we have carried out small-scale studies, based on subjective self-assessment of improvement in posture, balance, concentration and spatial awareness - with 94% positive and 6% neutral results. Final year Physiotherapy students from the University of Brighton had similar findings when carrying out objective standardised testing over one term at our Lewes Tai Chi school. They measured reach, balance, and length of time that new students could stand on one leg without falling, both before and after a 10 week course. Nine out of ten participants improved their scores, with one remaining the same as before the course. No-one got worse - in fact, in over 20 years of teaching, no-one has ever reported negative results...
Slowing down really works!

Venue: Equilibrium Studio, 33 Cliffe High St, Lewes BN7 2AN  www.equilibrium-studio.co.uk Tel: 01273 470955