Month: June 2021

Tai chi, also called tai chi chuan, is a combination of deep breathing and relaxation through flowing movements.  Originally developed as a martial art in 13th-century China, tai chi is now practised around the world as a health-promoting exercise. What are the health benefits of tai chi? While there's scope for more rigorous research on tai chi's health benefits, studies have shown that it can help people aged 65 and over to reduce stress, improve posture, balance and general mobility, and increase muscle strength in the legs.  Am I too old for tai chi? No, tai chi is commonly performed as a low-impact exercise, which means it won't put much pressure on your bones and joints. Most people should be able to do it. Is tai chi suitable for me? Get advice from your GP before starting tai chi...

We’re not exercising enough. We’re eating too much of the ‘wrong’ food. Our waists are too big. It’s pretty hard to ignore the daily barrage of messages about our bodies and health. The slings and arrows are well-intentioned because it’s known that these kinds of factors play a key role in health and the risk of developing a life-limiting chronic disease, such as type 2 diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, fatty liver disease, cancer, dementia — and, more recently, dying from Covid-19. Most Brits now spend the last 20 years of their lives in ill health, or with some form of disability. And these numbers are rising — thanks to our expanding waistlines, but also because we are moving too little and sitting for far too long. Nobody wants to end up like this. But, equally, nobody wants to feel...