Did you know that Tai Chi fights stress?  We all have stress these days.

We read more and more about anxiety and stress.  It is not easy to find inner peace these days. Suicide rates are up in all age groups.  Many young couples decide not to have children in this troubled time. We all wonder what tomorrow will bring.  Voices are raised.  Fingers pointed.  We feel insecure and sometimes scared.  Wow!  What a confusing time. It is time to try Tai Chi!

Fortunately, there are things we can do to alleviate  anxiety and stress.

A recent article from the NCCIH, The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, outlines many of them for us.

 The NCCIH suggests:

• Relaxation techniques to relieve chronic medical issues as well as anxiety disorders.   Acupuncture may help.  Hypnosis can be helpful.  Massage can feel very good, too.
• Mindfulness meditation stands out for its effectiveness.  It can be a seated or a moving meditation such as Tai Chi.   Mind- Body practices are a great place to start.

• A slow walk in a beautiful place, usually alone, may be a form of meditation that works for you.
• Listening to music often works because the vibration of the sound as well as the beautiful notes become a form of meditation.
• We can also use relaxing teas such as chamomile.  It works best if we prepare and drink it slowly.

In my experience, it seems that something I can do for myself is more effective than something that is done to me by another person.  A massage is wonderful, but how often can you do it?  It costs quite a bit and you have to schedule a time.  It is not always convenient.

Meditation and meditative moments such as Tai Chi can be more effective because once you learn it there is no cost.  You can do it whenever you want, and wherever you want.  A 10 minute break  in a busy day gives  wonderful benefits of relaxation for the mind and body.   An hour is good, too.  Fit it into your schedule in the way that works best for you.  For anxiety and stress try Tai Chi

The versatility of Tai Chi is powerful.   You can be standing by a tree in a park, or sitting in your office, or walking slowly down the street.  It doesn’t matter.

Tai Chi is:

• visualization of the flow of the chi in your body
• the feeling of growing roots from the bottom of your feet like a tree
• the slow movement of the abdomen as you gently breathe
• the relaxation of your shoulders as you let go of tension
• quietness inside you head as you focus on the chi surrounding you.
• a way of life
• perfect in the morning and before going to bed

It is a great way to begin to tackle the stress surrounding you.  You will feel the difference right away.  I did.  Everyone I introduce to it relaxes. For Anxiety and Stress we should all try Tai Chi.

Tai Chi for Kids is the perfect way to start since it is easy to follow, takes no previous experience, and works for all ages.  We are all KIDS inside, aren’t we? We all need to be cared for, to feel loved.  Get your Tai Chi for Kids set today.  You will be  taking the first step on the road to relaxation.  It is time to try Tai Chi.

The world becomes more stressful everyday.  Imagine how it feels to a child:  a siren announces it is time to practice for a lock down in school, or is it a real one!  Gun shots might be heard in the streets or the neighborhood.  An adolescent might be a victim or observer of nasty bullying. It is a tough time to be young. It is hard to find mental and emotional health.  Where is the peace and quiet we need for balance?

The NCCIH (National Center for Complementary an Integrative Health) say the State of Mental, Emotional and Behavioral Health in children and youth is one of their highest priorities.  They are looking for a comprehensive, integrative approach.  Healthy mental, emotional and behavioral development is a critical foundation for a productive adulthood.  In a 2009 report the case was made for prevention and promotion of interventions.

BUT in the next decade the rate of depression, suicide and self-harm has been increasing.  The proportion of adolescents experiencing a major depressive episode increased from 8.7 % to 11.3 %.  Read the report here.

While studies and conferences go on, we can do something right away to improve the emotional health of children and youths.  We can start teaching Tai Chi at home, in schools, at clubs, to begin the day, before a test, when we are upset, at bedtime.  Almost anytime is a good time for Tai Chi.

Tai Chi for Kids helps us to :

• breathe more deeply and oxygenate our cells
• relax and feel good inside
• focus on what we are doing instead of being distracted
• feel happier
• be calm inside and in our interactions with others.
• improve our sleep and our health

TAI CHI  is a great way to bring peace to our children.  NOW is the right time to start.

MINDFULNESS in the classroom can make a huge difference.

“Mindfulness is a way to pause and reflect on the here and now. To be fully present in what is happening in the present, without worry about the future or past. The idea is that teaching this philosophy and using activities and practices in the classroom should allow students to release tension and anxiety so they can focus on the material in the classroom.” Erica Kosal PhD

Imagine a class full of students who:

• feel relaxed
• are free of stress and anxiety
• focus on the material being discussed
• want to ask appropriate questions
• are able to think about the answers
• enter discussions with various points of view calmly
• express their well thought-out opinions
• respect others.

Mindful students show understanding of the opinions of others.  They show compassion to those who may be different.  These students are cooperative and understanding.

Mindful students can be in the moment – the present moment,  because they are not worried about the past or fearful of the future.

That is where we all want to be – in the present – where we can work efficiently and productively.

There are various ways of achieving mindfulness:

• meditation
• tai chi meditative movements
• contemplation of a beautiful sunset or flowing stream
• listening to peaceful relaxing music
• hypnosis
• focusing on a piece of art

One of the easiest is Tai Chi meditative movements.  As you focus on a ball of energy you are holding you breathe, see the color and feel the warmth. This is extremely calming.  Sometimes we need a bit of activity to get us to the moment where we can focus our breathing.  It can take 5 or 10 minutes.

But Oh! what wonderful results:

• time is saved in doing our work when we are focused
• we know how to go directly to the goal
• we analyze less and feel more so we are in touch with ourselves, our thoughts and our ideas

AND BEST OF ALL – when we work towards mindfulness with our students or children, we too become more relaxed, peaceful, understanding and focused.

Check the full story from Faculty Focus Publication.  Ten faculty members from North Carolina Wesleyen College did mindfulness with the college students with outstanding results.

IT IS A WIN WIN