Tai chi workouts are low-impact. The gentle martial art is a common offering in senior living centers. The postures and motions of tai chi are easily adapted for people with limited mobility or other physical challenges, including those who have trouble balancing on one leg.
Tai Chi Basics
Tai chi isn't a single, unified martial art. Instead, there are a variety of tai chi traditions that emphasize different aspects of an overall concept. In most forms of tai chi, practitioners move slowly through martial arts moves and postures to improve their balance, strength, breath control, flexibility and relaxation. Tai chi postures generally focus on strength and rooted stability, not on acrobatic or aggressively athletic motion.
Problems on One Leg
If you have difficulty standing on one leg for long, it's usually because you have trouble with your balance or leg. Balance problems can range from a simple lack of practice to brain damage that interferes with your equilibrium. If the problem is your leg, it might stem from injury or lack of training in the muscles that allow your leg to control your balance.
Classic Tai Chi
Classical tai chi progressions usually involve one or more moves that require you to hold your position while standing on one leg. If your problem is one of insufficient balance or muscle strength, you can minimize the time spent on one leg while still following traditional progression through a form. As you practice, you will likely find that how long you can stand on one leg increases over time.
Modified Tai Chi
If an injury prevents you from standing on one leg, you can practice tae chi in modified form. Some instructors modify it by simply having you skip one-leg postures, or do them on two legs. In other classes, you might perform tai chi in the water to help with your balance. You can even find tai chi classes conducted entirely while sitting in a chair. In short, you should have no problem finding a way to do tai chi, even if you can't stand on one leg for long, or at all.
References
- "The Tao of Jeet Kun Do"; Bruce Lee; 1978
- "Tai Chi For Busy People"; Dr. Keith Jeffrey; 2003
Member Comments