Sunday, May 7, 2023

Can "Controlled Falling" (ordinary walking) improve balance?

 Classical Tai Chi walk goes to numerous dimensions of movement  (video)



Can everyday walking improve your balance?
I told a friend I was going to write this article. They said they vividly recall the time when they broke their femur from attempting to learn rollerblading. One of the family dogs had run in front of them and they crashed onto their side. OK, enough of the anecdotes but I just want to add that their Doctor did not tell them to "take walks" and improve their balance.  The reason being he knew that the friend practiced Tai Chi. However, he was familiar enough with its pros and cons to know that it may not keep beginners from falling on rollerblades.  Taking a walk will not improve balance and here's why:  It is well-researched that everyday walking improves cardio. Walking, however, just keeps you moving your body in one dimension, let's call it "X" and most often that is forward and upright.  Tai Chi multiplies those dimensions, let's add in "Y" and "Z" as you see in the video, side, back, up, down, bending, arms, legs, angles, etc. Your area in which you can viscerally learn postural stability is multiplied, and its size is increased. One learns to "catch" themselves and right their balance in any situation where they go off-kilter. How's that for logical reasons for you to start learning Classical Tai Chi?

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