Tuesday, May 7 brings a new moon and a wonderful time to bring actual New Year’s resolutions into the light of day. January is a difficult time to get your new exercise routine in action, but May is the perfect time — and this May all the stars and moons are aligned to help you in the process. Not only that, but there are free tai chi classes starting in Overton Park on Tuesday, May 14 at 7:15 am. This is from the Overton Park Conservancy website:

Join instructor Marjean for free tai chi lessons featuring gentle moves that will strengthen and calm body, mind, and soul. No experience or registration required. Every Tuesday and Thursday at 7:15am in the Formal Gardens. May 14, 2024 – September 26, 2024 (excludes July 2 and 4th)

Let me give you the quick sell on tai chi, because you may not quite grasp how deeply important this practice can be. Tai chi is not running or biking, swimming or hiking. Tai chi is not weight lifting, CrossFit, or yoga. Tai chi and qi gong (and some yoga) are activities that exercise your chi/ qi. [On a side note, both “chi” and “qi” are pronounced chee] 

Generally when you “work out” you get your heart rate up and this helps to exercise your heart and lungs, and pump blood to all the skeletal muscles that are working hard. This is a good thing, and both aerobic exercises and weight training are good for our physical health. But that high heart rate shunts blood to the skeletal muscles and away from our other organs except the heart and lungs. Our other organs — spleen, stomach, kidneys, liver, reproductive organs, small intestine, large intestine, and gall bladder — do not get the benefit of your weight training, CrossFit, or running directly. 

On the other hand, tai chi and qi gong (and some yoga) keep the heart rate low enough so that the blood flow to all the organs is not shut down. Instead, our blood is supercharged with oxygen from deep breathing and then gently circulated throughout the entire body. This floods all the organs with an increased blood flow that is highly energized. Your whole body is rejuvenated through tai chi. 

Tai chi doesn’t replace your other exercise routines, it enhances them. Not only that, but tai chi focuses on strengthening the lower body and sense of balance as well. Good balance and strong legs are what serve you most when you get older. Tai chi is great for all ages, and you never will outgrow your ability to do tai chi. So, my suggestion is to add it into your life if you can. It is a benefit and will enhance your life. Marjean is a great teacher, and the Overton Park tai chi group is a wonderful community. I highly recommend them. 

This is also a great week for an acupuncture tune up. Let acupuncture support your new May endeavors by also moving your qi and blood through all your vital organ systems.