A MEDITATION ON MOVEMENT THE BENEFITS OF TAI CHI FOR SENIORS to defeat an opponent. It is sometimes referred to as an “internal” martial art or “meditation in motion” due to its focus on developing mental and spiritual strength alongside physical strength. It has much in common with yoga but involves fluid movement instead of static poses. Tai chi draws heavily upon the Chinese philosophy of Taoism, most commonly understood through the yin and yang. Taoism promotes balancing our more feminine and masculine features (yin and yang) to become peaceful and balanced people. Tai chi aims to help restore that balance through relaxation, exercise, and breathing. You don’t have to accept the philosophical tenets of Taoism to gain benefits from practicing tai chi. Through its use of soft, deliberate movements, it helps many people restore their physical stability and prevent falls in their golden years. And unlike many high-intensity exercises that encourage participants to work through pain to meet goals, tai chi discourages pushing oneself to the limit and encourages people to modify movements to meet their capabilities. The health benefits of tai chi are impressive. Medical research indicates that tai chi can reduce a person’s fall risk by up to 50%. A great deal of evidence also suggests that tai chi can help with arthritis and back pain. Like other exercises, tai chi helps promote weight loss and better sleep. Participants also show improved cardiovascular health, and people with heart failure, breast cancer, and other conditions see increased overall wellness. Some studies even show that tai chi can improve memory! Those who want to try tai chi for themselves will find many online courses. Watching the videos will help you get a better feel for the martial art, but it’s best to seek a professional before you begin practicing. Look for classes in your area (many senior centers offer them). You’ll receive support, coaching, and company while doing your health a favor.
Known for its slow, gentle, and simple movements, tai chi is exploding in popularity among adults over 65. Studies have shown significant benefits for all ages, but its accessibility and low impact have made it the martial art of choice among people of retirement age. As a form of exercise, it positively impacts participants’ physical and mental health. Unlike many other martial arts, tai chi does not usually involve physical fighting or attempting
The True Story Behind ‘The Vow’ TBI IN THE MOVIES Did you know the 2012 romance flick, “The Vow,” is based on a true story? When the film starts, Paige and Leo Collins are sitting at a stop sign, leaning in for a kiss. Then a truck roars into the frame. It smashes into their vehicle — sending Paige’s body hurtling through the windshield. When Paige wakes up, five years of her memories are gone! She can’t remember her husband, and drama ensues as she tries to navigate her ex-fiancé, estranged parents, and mysterious friends. In the end, Leo manages to win Paige’s heart again, even though she never regains her memories. Millions of people have seen this movie starring Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams — but most have no idea the movie is based on a real love story. It was inspired by Kim and Krickett Carpenter, who were in a horrific car crash two months after tying the knot in 1993. According to The Mercury News, “Krickett suffered a serious brain injury and was in a coma for 21 days. When she awoke, she had no recollection of the wedding ceremony — or their relationship. Despite Kim’s efforts to jog his wife’s memory, nothing worked. So he decided to woo Krickett into falling in love with him all over again. Two years and countless dates later, the couple remarried.” Pretty amazing, right? Because it follows the Carpenters’ story, “The Vow’’ paints a fairly realistic picture of life with a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Our firm
regularly helps clients who have lost their memories after car crashes or slip-and-fall accidents, and many of them can’t remember how they were hurt, have complete short-term memory loss, or even lose their memories permanently. Memory loss makes winning justice in court after an accident much more challenging, but it isn’t impossible! If we were representing Paige, we would gather witness testimony from Leo and use tools like accident reconstruction, expert testimony, medical records, police reports, and video or photo evidence to piece together what happened. Ultimately, we could win her compensation for her medical bills, lost income, and future expenses. If you or someone you know has suffered memory loss after an injury, you need a TBI expert on your side. Call our team to get help! –Kevin Mottley
2 | (804) 823-2011
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator