Fitness Information

Article Navigation

Click Here for more articles

"TAI CHI, not CHAI TEA!"

by: Kurt Hurley

Those of you that have either completed a one-on-one program, purchased an on-line program or have read anything else that I have written in the past have most likely determined by now and realize it is quite evident... I am a huge supporter and advocate of integrated and phase-based training as optimized methods of health and fitness technologies/systemologies. And it wasn�t until I started researching Tai Chi as an alternative form of exercise (I have been exercising for three-and-a-half decades consistently) did I understand how such a slow-velocity activity can help decrease blood pressure, reduce stress, help develop a greater degree of coordination and diminish the number of falls experienced by the elderly. The affects of resistance and aerobic type activities and their impact on health is unequivocal. Resistance training improves strength and the development of lean muscle mass, as well as an increase in bone-density and cardiovascular training improves the efficiently of the heart, lungs and circulatory function while decreasing mortality rates. However, over the past few decades, Eastern practices such as Tai Chi and Yoga have complimented mainstream fitness training programs by demonstrating comparable health benefits to traditional fitness training. A closer look at Tai Chi is warranted and yes this is coming from a fitness coach who intrinsically knows and has meticulously practiced and has been the recipient of the absolute benefits of weight bearing exercise for over 30 years.

So... What is Tai Chi Anyway?

Tai Chi is pronounced as �Tie Chee.� Tai Chi can be translated from Chinese to English as �moving life force.� Tai Chi is a form of Martial Art that focuses on cultivating the flow of energy in the body by performing a slow, gentle and precise sequence of movements that channel potentially destructive energy away from the body. As you could probably gleen, Tai Chi requires a high level of concentration when performing a sequence of moves, called Forms. Historically practiced as a martial art, today Tai Chi is used as an alternative form of exercise that requires a greater degree of movement than yoga and eliminates the impact nature of many aerobic or cardio-respiratory type activities.

Vitality: The Health and Well-Benefits of Tai Chi.

Talk about Synergy... The life force or energy in Tai Chi is believed to be in the form of the Yin and the Yang. Yin and Yang represent two opposite halves that come together to create a unified whole. Tai Chi finds its roots in Taoist philosophy, which adheres to the principle that optimum health is achieved through a balanced Chi, or life force. Balance is maintained through the use of focused, mindful breathing, precise execution of movements and by keeping the muscles active but relaxed. Imbalance can result in an array of health problems and a decrease in the over-all quality of life. Tai Chi is a moderate intensity exercise where aggregate energy expenditure is comparable to walking at a pace of 3.5 mph. Overt health benefits such as decreased stress, improved cardiovascular fitness, balance, muscle strength, coordinative reflexes, arthritis relief and flexibility in people of all ages have been reported. The practice of Tai Chi has also been linked to a reduction of falls and injury for the elderly, an important attribute given that one in three adults 65 years or older fall each year. Recent research also suggests Tai Chi to be an effective program in the reduction of blood pressure and blood lipid levels.

Integrating Tai Chi and Strength/Training.

Ahh�yes, a typical Tai Chi session can last five minutes to an hour depending on the experience and fitness and primary conditioning level of the participant. All sessions begin with a few minutes of meditation to calm the mind as well as the body, followed by a warm-up to increase blood-oxygen flow and body temperature. The forms are completed very slowly and consist of many sequential and continuous postural changes from the beginning to the end of the workout session, including both double stance and single stance weight-bearing maneuvers. The forms can be performed in a quick controlled pace to raise the heart rate and induce a greater aerobic intensity. Similarly, muscular effort can be increased by emphasizing knee bends, arms swings, twisting of the trunk and overall body recruitment when carrying out and finishing the forms. While the movements may look simple, proper execution of forms take months of practice. Since Tai Chi creates a state of tranquility, calmness and relaxation it is best to perform the activity on days off from your regular workouts. Depending on how much time you want to dedicate to exercise per week, you have a number of options to consider when planning your session. For example, if you perform an integrated circuit training or peak-intensive workout every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, you can incorporate a Tai Chi session on Tuesday and Saturday. Alternatively, you may complete the circuit on Monday and Thursday, followed by a short 20-minute cardio session on both days, and practice Tai Chi on Tuesday and Friday. It is absolutely up to you. Just remember... Give yourself ample time for rest, recuperation and regeneration.

Traditions...

The ancient Taoists were renowned for their study of the arts of health and longevity. The gentle movements of Taoist Tai Chi convey the essence of this tradition to the modern world. In over 25 countries around the globe, people are enjoying the many benefits of practicing Taoist Tai Chi in friendly atmospheric locales. Life is about balancing tasks while nourishing your mind, body and spirit. Combined with a proper fitness training program and nutrition, Tai Chi can provide the alternative form of movement that you have been searching for. Using a phase-based training approach, Tai Chi is a valuable form of exercise to help relax your body and replenish your energy stores from the intense fitness workouts you are accustomed to, so good luck and may God bless each and everyone of you.

-To Your Absolute Health, Kurt Lee Hurley

About the author:
Kurt Lee Hurley, operator of whose clients refer to him as the "Secret Weapon" has built over 3,000 weight loss success testimonials and his Provo, Utah Wellness Facility, Synergy Fitness Systems has become known as a "Results Factory" a "Living Laboratory" of Achievement, Enhanced Human Performance and a place to congregate for Empowerment and of course, the Success of attaining Weight Loss RESULTS!

Circulated by Article Emporium

Read Articles:

50 Motivational Tips for Exercise and Weight Loss

Health is Your Greatest Asset?

Why you do not have "killer abs" or that "6 pac...

Personal Training: 3 Powerful Ways to Position ...

Where to Buy HGH -

Joseph Pilates: The Man behind the Movement

Powerbreathe, Lung Conditioner and Breathing Ex...

"TAI CHI, not CHAI TEA!"

Muscle and Fitness -- The Second Key To Achievi...

The Subconscious Influence on Your Diet and Per...

Weight Loss Efficiency � 10 ways to make the mo...

Discover the Latest Rave to Hit Fitness Centers

A Diet Buddy Can Help You Lose Weight

Salsa Dancing For Fitness Is Hot

Sportcraft treadmill a great investment for ind...

Are You Financially Fit?

Eating the Australian Way

Double Calories Burned With Five Minutes Of Exe...

Exercise for a Healthy Heart

"How To Get Fit And Slash Your Health Insurance...

You Don't Have to Strain for Cardio Fitness Gains

The Growing Popularity of Treadmills

Exercise & Motivation, Part 4: Maintenance & Re...

Exercise: Why YOU Should Do It

Basic Weight Management

The Mediterranean Diet Full Flavored Foods Help...

Powerful Periodized Strength Training Basics Fo...

Bridging the Gap: The Top 5 Fitness Secrets for...

A Diet Made For You Will Make All The Difference

Muscle Building Workouts - Build Muscle And Fit...

The Core: Unleash Your Inner Caveman

HOW TO FIND A GYM AND START EXERCISING

Finding a Cheap Home Gym -

Anti Aging Techniques For Young Adults

Exercise And Your Anaerobic Threshold

5 Sure-Fire Tips To Save You $1000's On Your Ho...

Getting F.I.T.T. Is Easy

Warming Up Properly

Free Weights vs. Exercise Machines

Look and Feel Young Even After 40 -- Part 2

Make Your New Year's Resolution Stick

Home Exercise Equipment: The Best Gym at Minima...

Star Trac treadmill a stride towards quality.

What is Pilates?

Become A Personal Trainer Online

Eight Amazing Benefits of Teaching Yoga

Pacemaster Treadmill Intelligence

Give the Gift of Health and Fitness this Winter

Ten excuses why people don�t do fitness exercise.

Get In Shape For The Festive Season. What you h...

Diamonds in the Ruff - How to Find a Good Perso...

Is it possible to follow a strict Diet Program ...

How To Build A Low Cost Home Gym

The Technology Behind Elliptical Cross Trainers...

Fast Weight Loss Programs � The importance of l...

10 Health Fitness Tips

Abdominal Exercise Equipment That Really Works

Defeating Back Pain Forever

Lose Weight By Sleeping?

Cycling Your Way To Fitness

More Article Pages 1 - 2 - 3

Do you want to be thinner, healthy and fit?
by: Lucy E. Riddell

While we offer an effective and natural fat loss product � the Jen Fe Next Fat Loss Patch and the Power Patch, we also know that without a commitment from you to bring about some lifestyle changes, you won�t reach optimal fat loss. There is no product in the world that can produce fat loss while we are eating and drinking excessively, and moving only slowly from couch to car to office chair. We need a program of sensible diet and exercise that will support the products we utilize to help our weight loss.

Here�s what to eat:

1. Lots of vegetables and fruits

2. Increase healthy protein intake. This is how you build lean muscle tissue, which in turn speeds up your metabolism. Examples are fish, lean meats, low-fat dairy products, beans, and soy products.

3. Fiber-Rich foods. They will fill up and they make they are satisfying. In this category are: peas, beans, bran cereals, potato skins, nuts and seeds, oatmeal, bulger wheat, 100% whole wheat baked goods, fruits and vegetables.

4. Minerals. Calcium and other minerals are you �secret weapons� against body fat. They are found in low-fat dairy products, small or canned fish, soy tofu, green vegetables, nuts, seeds, bran cereals, and calcium fortified orange juice, and avoid processed, salt-loaded foods.

5. Eat fish and beneficial fats. Omega-3 unsaturated fatty acid in some fish, oils and nuts is a good fat. Eat moderate amounts of salmon, herring, mackerel, sardines and other oily fish. Soybeans, nuts, pumpkin seed are also excellent sources for Omega-3.

6. Reduce harmful fats � saturated and trans fats. These are not only high in calories; they are also loaded with harmful fatty acids that cause disease.

7. Always eat an adequate breakfast for several reasons: it will speed up your metabolism earlier in the day and when you skip breakfast, it makes it harder to control your appetite later in the day.

8. Cut back or eliminate alcohol. It is high in non-filling calories. Ideal consumption is one glass of beer or wine a day.

9. Stay away from junk carbohydrates � sugar and white flour are diet killers in all but the smallest amounts.

10. Gradually reduce your calorie intake because extreme and sudden dieting causes your body to conserve, not burn calories, and it slows fat loss.

11. Snack instead of eating large meals � larger, higher calorie meals tend to be stored as fat, instead of burned for energy. Ideally, you should eat five or six smaller, nutritious snacks each day instead of large meals.

12. Move! You must exercise to build lean tissue that burns fat. As little as two to three hours per week of brisk walking at minimum, and you will notice a major impact on your weight loss.

13. Reduce stress. It produces adverse fat-producing chemistry in your body. Try warm baths, meditation, deep breathing, stretching, massage, prayer and rest.

14. Get outside into the sunshine at lest 20 minutes per day � the vitamin D you get from sunshine works with calcium for health and body fat control.

For more information on the Fat Loss Patch, go to www.FatBeGoneWithLucy.com or call 888-407-0570.

This Static Spot is open for sponsor

This Static Spot is open for sponsor