#mindfulmonday: Try Tai Chi

Tai Chi is a Chinese martial art that has been sweeping the older adult scene (yes, you older adults definitely have a “scene,” so embrace it!). Its a mind-body practice that seems to be made for aging individuals. It encompasses all the components of a great, preventative health exercise–slow moving, low impact and it doubles as a meditative practice. Meditating and exercising all at once?! Count us in! 

The purpose of Tai Chi is to get your Qi, or life energy, flowing through your entire body while unblocking any channels that may be clogged. It is also said to balance the Yin and Yang in your body. Even if you don’t believe in these concepts, they can be boiled down into more Western ideas — when we have balanced movement and flow in all aspects of our lives, we all feel like we have a better quality of life than when we feel “stuck.”

This is a great Harvard Health article that breaks down the practice of Tai Chi, as well as some of its benefits. Physically, Tai Chi, when practiced regularly, will improve your muscle strength, flexibility, balance and aerobic conditioning. It can be done at multiple levels–so find one that works for you, in your current physical state. Mentally, Tai Chi can have all the same benefits as meditation like stress and anxiety relief, better coping abilities, feeling more energized and increased happiness.

When I was in China, my group practiced Tai Chi every morning with a Tai Chi instructor. One morning we had the pleasure of meeting a Tai Chi master well into his 90s. He had my entire group in stitches. After he demonstrated some advanced Tai Chi moves that my young body could not have mastered at that time, he began his monologue about the benefits of Tai Chi. He told us all of our aging parents and grandparents were unhealthy because they did not practice Tai Chi. He claimed to have zero health issues, and from the looks of it he was not exaggerating. His delivery was hysterical, but he had a point–dedication to a preventative health practice like Tai Chi can work wonders on an aging body.

Try it out here (but be sure to check with your doctor if you have health concerns that could make Tai Chi dangerous for you):

#WellnessWednesday: How to have a great day.

We all want to have awesome days, but what exactly does that mean? Great days develop from starting great habits. Below, are ten steps you can try to accomplish each day to make it a day worth living!

1) Get up early. To wake up early, we must get to bed early. Get up around the same time everyday. Give yourself something to look forward to in the morning, to encourage you to get out of bed (I like to read the comics or watch funny videos!)

2) Express gratitude for what you have. Take time out of each day (when you wake up is great) to list all the things for which you are grateful. You can think, say or even write the list in a gratitude journal.

3) Do something productive. This does not have to mean a typical 9-5 job. This could me cleaning the house, or tending to your garden. It could be volunteering with a local organization or knitting.

4) Do something fun. This could be as small or grand as you make it. It could mean watching a favorite movie or playing tourist in your own town. It could mean calling a friend or participating in a local activity.

5) Do something for someone else. Again, there is no kind task that is too small. It could be formally volunteering, or simply smiling at a stranger who looks down. Make an effort to find an act of kindness each day.

6) Get some sunlight. This may seem difficult if you do not need to leave the house for work, or the weather is gloomy. Do it anyway. Step outside for at least ten minutes. Bundle up if you must, but get fresh air.

7)Exercise. Just move your body. Walk, do yoga, dance, play leap frog. It doesn’t matter, just move. Push yourself, but never to the point of pain.

8) Put a smile on someone’s face. This could be telling a stranger you like their outfit or calling a loved one just to say you love her.

9) Express gratitude or compliment someone. Say thank you more than you think is necessary. Each time you think a kind thought about someone, tell him.

10) Learn or do something new. Pull out that paint set you bought three years ago. Take a different route as you run errands. Embrace change and growth. Don’t be afraid of looking silly.

Print this out and carry it in your pocket. Check off each item as you do it throughout the day. Some actions may allow you to check off more than one item. Great! Do this until these items become habits. You will find a more peaceful, happy life as a result.

Healthy Bodies

HEALTHY MINDS are incomplete without HEALTHY BODIES. Our three step process to help your loved ones discover their MOST healthy bodies…

1) ACCEPTANCE: Your loved ones bodies are changing rapidly as they age. This can lead to isolation, lack of interest in previous passions and a loss of identity. We help them accept their bodies as they are, and find the beauty that still lives within them.

2) MODIFICATION: We work to change “I can’t…” into “ I can still…” We help your loved ones modify the activities they once loved, so that they can still acquire the same joy from them. 

3) MODERATION: We help your loved ones identify when to push themselves and when to rest. We teach them to listen to their bodies, so that they can continue to improve their physical wellbeing while knowing their own, personal limits.