SOHMA Integrative Medicine

We offer the best of Eastern & Western medicine without using drugs or surgery

tai chi

Reduce the Stress In Your Life Through the Traditional Martial Art of Tai Chi

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Practicing Tai Chi for Less than 1 Hour Weekly Can Lead to Stress Reduction

You may have seen it at your local park or gyms, a slow moving martial art practiced by students of every age and fitness level.

Why is it so popular? 

What benefits does it have?  

Today we will take a deep dive into the traditional Chinese martial art known as Tai Chi. How Tai Chi can be used to reduce stress, as well as why it is important to minimize stress in your daily life.

How Does Stress Affect You?

Symptoms of stress can be affecting your health without you noticing it. You may be blaming headaches, insomnia, muscle pain, upset stomach or fatigue on an illness, when stress may actually be the cause. These symptoms may cause other effects on your mood and emotional health such as:

  • Anxiety
  • Lack of focus
  • Irritability
  • Depression

It is very important to your health to try to actively manage your stress, as it can spiral into many other negative behaviors in order to cope with it, examples may be:

  • Heavy Drinking
  • Smoking
  • Over/Under Eating
  • Social Withdrawal
  • Anger Issues

Slow and Steady to Manage Stress

When life is stressful we often look for the quick fix. Who can blame us right? We are constantly seeing messages for programs like “6 minute abs” and “1 hour taxes”. It makes sense we like to get things done quickly.

Reducing stress can often be achieved through a slow and steady process. 

Tai Chi may help you find the quiet and calm you may be looking for. Often called meditation in motion because you combine controlled breathing with slow movements. Once you enter a state of mindfulness you begin to relax and reduce some of the built up stress you may be carrying.

A Simple Way to Get Started in Tai Chi…Absolutely FREE

The best way to learn how to practice Tai Chi is by taking a class. Your level of fitness does not matter, and you can always perform the movements within your limits when you start. Seeing a teacher performing the actions and receiving feedback alongside other students are all advantages to learning. We offer free Tai Chi classes for any level of students and we welcome beginners. Feel free to ask the staff at SOHMA Integrative Medicine of Long Beach CA about our free Tai Chi classes.

Long Term Benefits of Tai Chi

What are some of the long term benefits of Tai Chi? Many people have reported a significant improvement in their quality of sleep as well as a decrease in anxiety and panic attacks with as little as 2 days of Tai Chi classes a week for a couple months.

It has been expressed that slow mindful breaths, accompanied with the slow movements of Tai Chi have a positive effect on the nervous system and hormones that regulate mood. Which may help you relax and recover from built up muscle tension due to stress.

Tai Chi is also a very safe form of exercise. Because of its slow moving nature, people who suffer from heart disease or are physically limited can get regular physical activity. Consistent Tai Chi practice may help with weight control, increased physical activity and overall life quality improvement.

Is Tai Chi Right for Me?

Tai Chi is an excellent option for everyone. Due to the nature of the martial art practice it is available to anybody, at any age or any fitness level. If you still have any questions on whether or not Tai Chi is the right option to manage your stress, feel free to watch one of our free classes at Heartwell Park in Long Beach CA (by the duck pond). If you feel comfortable you are alway welcome to join our free community Tai Chi class for beginners.

Take the Next Step In Improving Your Health by Contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can reach out to us and ask us about the Myers Cocktail, IV Therapy, Chiropractic care, or how our other health service lines can help you with your journey to improved health. 

Located in Long Beach, CA we help individuals from the surrounding cities.

We look forward to helping you take the next step in your journey to better health.

5 Benefits of Tai Chi

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Tai Chi. Many have seen it and may not even realize it. You may have noticed individuals in the park or even groups of people making very deliberate movements.

We have been asked “what’s with the slow Karate?”

It is not Karate, it’s Tai Chi. One of the programs we have been doing for years here at SOHMA Integrative Medicine is organizing Tai Chi classes for our neighbors in Long Beach.

One of the commonly asked questions we get is: Can you tell me what Tai Chi is?

What is Tai Chi and Will It Benefit Me?

Tai chi is an ancient tradition that began in China. It is a gentle form of exercise. One of its many benefits is how it can be performed by those in many states of physical fitness. You might be an Ironman triathlete or an individual coming off injury or even someone beginning their exercise journey.

Tai chi has many styles and because it includes posture, exercise, and stretching it can help you in many different ways.

Let’s get into the benefits of Tai Chi and you can decide if you would like to join us for one of our classes.

Benefit #1: Decreased stress, anxiety, and depression

You will discover how to focus on the current state of your body. It will teach you to understand your body and how to focus your mind. When you do this it is amazing how many other issues seem to reduce in importance.

Benefit #2: Improved flexibility, balance and agility

We have individuals who regularly attend our Tai Chi Class at Heartwell Park who are competitive triathletes, cyclists, and runners. Why would they do this “slow motion” exercise?

They do it for the benefits of their flexibility. Regardless of your sport, when you improve your flexibility and balance it will help you. We have yet to meet an athlete who said “I am too flexible” or “I have too much balance”.

Benefit #3: Improved aerobic capacity

Are there times when you are going up stairs that you have a hard time breathing? Are there times when you are walking that you feel out of breath?

Starting a regular exercise routine can be scary. Tai Chi, especially one like our beginner group, is a safe space to begin. You will get support from those around you who have been where you are if you are just starting.

What you will discover is you begin to see progress. You want to change other things and “suddenly” your health has improved because you took the first step.

Benefit #4: Improved Mood

A positive attitude can really change one’s perspective. Having a great attitude in a bad situation can make it not as bad. Dare we say it can even make a situation fun.

What you will discover in tai chi is that you learn how to breathe, you learn how to control your body, and by process you will discover how you can alter your mood.

Benefit #5: Increased energy and stamina

Walking by a school yard you can see kids have boundless energy. Many adults say “I wish I had their energy!”. It’s true kids have a ton of energy and here is another thing adults can have more energy as well!

What we invite you to do is take up a form of exercise that can provide you with more energy. There are exercise routines that are so aggressive they can reduce your energy. Tai chi is one that can help you build energy and stamina.

Explore The Benefits of Tai Chi at our Free Class

We met on a regular basis at Heartwell park in Long Beach, CA. We often get asked “why is it free?” or “is it really free?”

The answer is yes it is absolutely free. We do this class as a way to give back to the community in Long Beach, CA. We care about the health of our community members.

Check out our meet-up page for information on Long Beach Tai Chi Classes.

Take the Next Step In Improving Your Health by Contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can reach out to us and ask us if we are right for you. Located in Long Beach, CA we help individuals from Long Beach and the surrounding cities.

We look forward to helping you take the next step in your journey to better health.