Tai chi is good medicine for people with Parkinson’s
What if there were a way to improve balance, reduce muscle stiffness, and boost mental well-being – all without taking a pill?
Tai chi may be the answer for many people with Parkinson’s disease.
I was curious about this martial art form and had heard others with Parkinson’s swear by its benefits. So when a friend invited me to her tai chi class, I couldn’t resist.
My friend, who does not have Parkinson’s but is just over 80 years old, told me she likes tai chi for its gentle, flowing movements, which help loosen her joints and strengthen her muscles.
“Sign me up for a test run,” I told her.
Knowing very little about tai chi – and to avoid embarrassing myself – I first made sure I was pronouncing it right:
“TY-CHEE.”
Or more like “DY-JEE,” depending on which helpful video you watch.
I settled on a blend of those: “DTY-CHJEE.” So far, no one has corrected me.
Tai chi appears simple, but …
My friend’s class was small and designed for seniors at a beginner to intermediate level.
Armed with the tai chi knowledge I had gleaned from a YouTube video, I felt ready to jump right in. After all, I’d been doing yoga for years, and tai chi looked easy enough to figure out.
Well, I wasn’t ready, and that became apparent quicker than a “single whip.”
(That’s the name of a tai chi move the class would practice.)
Laura, an instructor with 10 years of experience, came to the front of the room and welcomed me as a guest. Then she immediately began a routine of gentle, flowing arm movements and continuous leg maneuvers that I couldn’t keep up with.
During each series, she’d call out phrases like “repulse the monkey” and “part the horse’s mane,” moving her hands and limbs with the grace of a seasoned dancer. The class followed along skillfully.
I looked like a 3-year-old spider monkey pretending to be a bird.
I eyed a spot in the back row longingly.
Thankfully, the class members pretty much ignored me. They were very focused.
That’s part of the benefit of tai chi. While the movements are slow and graceful, the concentration is intense. Such mental focus has been shown to improve cognitive function and cut down on stress and anxiety.
What else it can do
Tai chi has other benefits for people with Parkinson’s, who find improvement in:
- strength and flexibility through gentle stretching
- control and coordination by synchronizing body parts and practicing fine motor skills
- balance and stability through deliberate weight shifts, lowering the risk of falls.
I’ve attended only one class, but it appears to me that – with a doctor’s OK – even those in the mid- to later stages of Parkinson’s could safely adopt tai chi as a way to get exercise.
Some tai chi classes are designed specifically for people with Parkinson’s disease. But for those in who live in areas where specialized classes are not available, a general beginner class could work. Be sure to tell the teacher about any limitations in movement you may have. A qualified instructor will provide modifications as needed.
Laura told me she sees the seniors in her classes improving all the time. “This would be really good for Parkinson’s,” she agreed. The movements are low-impact and dynamic, and that continuous motion can be less intimidating than other exercises that require standing and holding tricky poses (lookin’ at you, yoga).
Done correctly and consistently, tai chi could be a supplement to physical therapy and medication in treating Parkinson’s symptoms.
After my one-day fling with tai chi, I decided to stick with yoga as my go-to mind-and-body practice of Eastern origin, at least for now. But I have gained a respect for the souls who are diligently improving their minds and bodies through the ancient art of tai chi.
If you’re looking for something new in your own exercise universe, check it out!
