If you want to maintain your youth - or reverse the clock on aging that has already occurred, be one of the first few people in the west to learn what is slowly becoming known as the exercise of anti-aging:  tai chi. Though it is new to the western world, the Chinese have been rejuvenating themselves with it for several centuries.  While there are many fads that tout anti-aging benefits, you are hard-pressed to find a practice like tai chi chuan, which has literally withstood the test of time.

Tai chi chuan's origins are that of a martial art from China.  To develop special skills, taichi was designed to exercise the mind and body through a series of flowing postures that are part of a synchronized mind and body workout.  The practice of tai chi chuan combines mental concentration with slow, controlled movements to focus the mind, transform the body, and improve the flow of life force energy, which the Chinese refer to as "qi."  There is no concept of "qi" in western orthodox medicine, leading to its misunderstanding and dismissal by all but the most open-minded of the medical establishment.  In old China, a byproduct noticed of tai chi practice was sustained health and increased life force "qi" energy.

Though the majority of today's doctors do not recognize the Chinese concept of "qi," they nonetheless cannot disregard the evidence that tai chi improves health. Recent medical studies have demonstrated that taichi can improve strength, flexibility, coordination, and balance.  It has also been shown to improve heart function while normalizing blood pressure and reducing stress effects.  Stress, depression, over-work, etc., are just a few of the factors that lead to early ageing.  Any respectable physician will agree.  So since tai chi is one powerful way to reduce these effects, it can benefit rejuvenation of the body in many ways that other methods can't.

Although all practitioners can expect to gain various levels of tai chi's health benefits, practicing it has special benefits for people over 50. Tai chi assists with anti-aging in various ways. Routine practice of tai chi can ameliorate the symptoms of osteoarthritis by reducing joint stiffness and pain. Tai chi enhances balance and flexibility, which helps avoid falls as it also fosters healing from past injuries. It increases cardiovascular function and overall body strength. It has also been found to help people to sleep better.  Women in menopause benefit by tai chi as it has been found to help decrease bone loss.  Both genders can be helped by tai chi with an increase in the quality of life. Evidence is starting to suggest that it may even restore sexual vitality to its faithful practitioners. All these benefits help the body to combat the causes of aging and increase the quality of life regardless of age.

So, if you want to look and feel fit well past your fifties, don't wait. Remember that each moment you wait is another moment lost.  Take advantage of any opportunity to sign up for tai chi chuan classes from a well-credentialed instructor.  Give it a little time and some focus, and you will be amply rewarded by tai chi's rejuvenative benefits.