Tai Chi: The Best Fitness for Middle-Aged and Elderly People
"Besides familiar activities like Yangko dancing and senior fitness exercises, Tai Chi is one of the most suitable forms of exercise for middle-aged and elderly people," said Han Liyuan, director of the Olympic Demonstration Community Residents’ Committee in Dongcheng District, Beijing, and a national-level social sports instructor, when discussing Tai Chi.
Regarding Tai Chi fitness, Han Liyuan shared her deep insights: rushing for quick results is a common flaw among many exercisers. Whether practicing Tai Chi or other sports, most people feel their progress doesn’t match expectations. In reality, no exercise yields instant results—believing otherwise violates scientific principles.
Han Liyuan also offered the following advice to middle-aged and elderly enthusiasts of Tai Chi: Practice Tai Chi step by step, perform warm-up exercises, and avoid abrupt stops during training. Like other sports, avoid drinking large amounts of water immediately after Tai Chi, especially for seniors. Also, avoid exercising right after a heavy meal. As the old saying goes, "A hundred steps after a meal keeps the doctor away," but this is not advisable for seniors because eating—especially a full meal—can be stressful for those with cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, seniors should avoid exercising within two hours after meals. Also, avoid practicing in poorly ventilated spaces.