Ancient art meets modern science
Tai Chi teaches balance and offers health benefits
Some days in Peace Park you’ll see a few people moving in slow motion, arms sweeping and knees soft. They’re practicing Tai Chi, a Chinese martial art that focuses on relaxation and balance. Tai Chi styles vary, but within each, the movements are specific.
Sandy Matsuda, clinical assistant professor of occupational therapy in the School of Health Professions, teaches a simplified version of Tai Chi, developed by Tricia Yu, to many adults over the age of 50. Matsuda says her classes aren’t difficult. While Matsuda's research falls outside the realm of Tai Chi, she has been a student of the discipline since 1975 and has been incorporating Tai Chi into work with clients for the past few years.
"They are low-impact and moderate aerobic exercises, so even people with heart conditions, arthritis, lupus, or chronic illnesses that limit people from exercising can still do this simple Tai Chi form," Matsuda says.
In the elderly population, injuries from falls can radically decrease an individual’s quality of life. A recent study by University of Illinois researcher Yang Yang found that, after six months of Tai Chi training, participants with an average age of 80 were performing on balance tests as if they were 10 years younger.
Instruction for health care professionals
Matsuda developed Tai Chi Fundamentals: Applications for Therapeutic and Purposeful Activities© based on Tricia Yu’s program, for Trinity Healthforce Learning, a continuing education provider for health care professionals. The program is being broadcast on two of the company’s networks and offered on DVD.