Get Your Vision Board Iphone/Ipod App and start moving toward your dreams today! Syndicate Carolyn Cooper's Articles Straight onto Your Web Site! - easy one-time setup, takes only minutes - fresh, informative content on your site - updates automatically - build content-rich sites with our authors! - best of all, it's FREE!! Click here to get started! Books by this Author Tai Chi Flow for Everybody Tai Chi Flow is a medley of calming Qigong exercises and Tai Chi movements woven together in an effective, viewer-friendly form. This contemporary approach to an often mystical ancient art is a wonderful introduction for students of all ages and fitness levels to the variety of health benefits that Tai Chi has to offer. Because this program requires no special equipment or previous knowledge of Tai Chi, it is easy to follow right along with.   Tai Chi Flow for Kids Children today are faced with more challenges than ever before. The mindful exercises of Tai Chi Flow teach them how to thrive healthfully in our rapidly changing world. The slow, graceful movements help kids develop an inner awareness and give them a calm center to return to. Woven within these health-enhancing movements are positive affirmations relating to confidence, courage, respect for self and others, gratitude, patience, and more. Guided by long time Tai Chi kids instructor, Carolyn Cooper, with lots of help from kids ages 4-ll, these simplified qigong and Tai Chi movements are easy enough for kids to do on their own, yet entertaining enough to become a favorite family activity!   Tai Chi Flow for Pregnancy Following the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists guidelines, this one of a kind program is appropriate for all trimesters of pregnancy, and may even be done sitting down. Studies show the slow, rhythmic movements of Tai Chi provide all the benefits of a rigorous workout without the potentially harmful side effects. It boosts energy, stamina and mental clarity, as well as increasing muscle tone and flexibility.   Wondering what is this Energy Therapy? On this informative CD hear Carolyn explain, in her words, Energy Therapy. Included are examples of individual, life-enhancing experiences of many of her clients, as well numerous examples of the range of Carolyn's healing technique.   Unlimited Autoresponders! Unlimited AdTracking! Free 30 Day Trial! http://www.trafficwave.net Feature Articles: The First Step to Manifesting Money... Goal Achieving Strategy - Thinking Prosperity... Build a Better Business - Give Up the Copy-ca... Life Balance: 3 Ways to Bring More Peace and ... 3 Biggest Mistakes With the Laws of Attractio... How to Detox and Balance your Immune System f... Thanksgiving Day and the Secret to Wellbeing... Vegan Handbags: Where Style Meets Compassion... Click here for more >>

Tai Chi improves overall fitness, coordination, and agility. People who practice tai chi regularly tend to have good posture, flexibility, and range of motion. They also tend to have more mental clarity, and sleep more soundly at night. Tai Chi goes to the root of most health problems by relaxing the muscles and mind, aligning the spinal posture, and balancing the energy systems that run through the body, providing them with life energy. As a profound self-improvement tool, tai chi is one of the most powerful, yet soothing things we can do for ourselves. The magic of tai chi is found in the unique combination of movement, breathing and meditation.

MOVEMENT

Because tai chi involves all the major muscle groups, it improves agility, strength, flexibility, stamina, muscle tone, and coordination. This is of extreme importance as we have a large population of baby-boomers. It is reported that one of every three adults 65 years or older falls each year, often with devastating results. Hip fractures are the seventh leading cause of death among older adults. If this could be reduced even by 10 percent, we would save over $1 billion a year, not to mention the pain and suffering of the patients and their families.

Appearing in the May 1996 issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society were the first two studies involving tai chi to be reported by scientists in a special frailty reduction program sponsored by the National Institute on Aging. The studies showed how tai chi's attention to balance could increase body awareness, preventing falls up to 50 percent in elderly patients. Results of another randomized trial published in the December 2004 issue of Medicine & Science In Sports & Exercise show that tai chi reduces falls in the six months after intervention for patients 70 years or older.

Through the postures of tai chi we learn how to move the body correctly, thereby becoming conscientious of our physical presence, so along with this increased balance, we are also less likely to lose mobility. Tai Chi rotates all the joints in the body, releasing any blocked energy that could contribute to the aging process. It also stimulates the liquid systems of the body to keep our joints and other tissues suppler, increasing range of motion and reducing any symptoms of arthritis. The many movements performed by turning from the waist, work as an internal massage. By stimulating the abdomen, these movements aid digestion and help relieve constipation and gastrointestinal conditions.

BREATHING

The deep breathing of tai chi regulates the respiratory system, helping to treat ailments such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema. Exhaling toxins from the lungs while inhaling fresh air increases lung capacity stretches the muscles involved in breathing and releases tension. Symbolically, the exhaling and inhaling reminds us to let go of that which is no longer serving us, and allow new abundance to enter our lives.

MEDITATION

Research shows that taking time to slow down the mind and body is not only calming, but also enhances mental acuity and focus, reduces anxiety, and lowers blood pressure and heart rate. Tai Chi's meditative nature is also beneficial for the immune system and the central nervous system, which makes it especially good for people with a chronic illness, depression, or any stress-related conditions. The quiet mindfulness of tai chi teaches us to listen to our body, therefore helping us become aware of problems before they become acute. This same mindfulness can permeate all other aspects of our lives, helping us find gratitude in each moment.