The year 2020 was a very memorable year to the world. Almost every nation of the world experienced the heat of a global pandemic known as coronavirus (COVID-19). This pandemic placed the world on hold for a minute with millions and millions of people losing their lives in nearly all the affected countries. Some countries like America, Italy, India and China; just to mention but a few had the most death record during the pandemic. Many of these countries sectors were put on hold with only the health sector doing almost all the job to curb the pandemic which was fast spreading and sicking so many people both young and old.
Because of the rate in which the virus is spreading and killing, it seemed it was taking ages to find a cure or a vaccine to fight it. This made the world and the health sector to look for some preventive and management ways to help curb the spread of the disease and then help people recover from it quickly as they continue working tirelessly in the lab for lasting solution to the pandemic. This step gave birth to so many options which includehand sanitizers, ventilators and Tai Chi.
The introduction of Tai Chi into the list raised a lot of eyebrow because many did not know how effective the exercise is to the human health and how it will help fight the virus. A lot of debts were made and some insights were given to help people understand the effect of Tai Chi in combating the virus. Unfortunately, many still do not know the effectiveness of Tai Chi in the fight of the virus. You may not be surprise to know that some people are just learning that Tai Chi could be effective in the management and prevention of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Well, if you are in this league, this article will explain everything you need to know about Tai Chi and how it could be an effective measure to preventing and managing coronavirus. At this point, you may want us to speed things up a little but we are going to take it one step at a time to help you get the all the information you need. We will explain what Tai Chi is, how it could be done, and how it is effective for the management and prevention of the disease (coronavirus).Let’s hit the road already:
Tai Chi is a short way of calling T’ai chi ch’üan. It is a Chinese exerciseand martial art practice that is characterized by maximum focus, slow movements and deep breathing. In Tai Chi, you exercise at your own pace, and though it is a slow movement exercise, the movements are simultaneous and systematic. Tia chi is used basically for two approaches, the martial art approach and the healthcare approach. In order to manage and present the spread of the disease, the healthcare approach is being adopted.
If you are new to the exercise, then you will need to register a class where an instructor will guide you through your first steps. Tai chi is an exercise with a pattern or procedure, and so, it is not something will grasp just at a glance. The teachers will always say that you follow the rules and allow it to be part of you, and then you can enjoy all the benefits that come with it. It is good to also note that during the pandemic, many countries were on lockdown. The question will be; how will such people have access to attend Tai chi class? Well in such case, there were online classes and one can make due with Tai chi videos.
How is Tai chi effective for the management and prevention of coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a viral disease that affects mainly the respiratory system of the affected individual, which means that the affected individual will find it difficult to breath, and have their lungs function properly (which is why ventilators were need so much). Tai chi has been proven to be an effective immune system function modulator through immune cells increase like the natural killer (NK). Immune system strength has been a major factor to the fight against coronavirus. Research has shown that if a person practices Tai chi 4 times in a week and at least 60mins, there will be a significant increase in the immune system.
Tai chi is also responsive to inflammatory biomarker because it has been shown to significantly reduce the level of both C-reactive protein and cytokines (IL6, TNF-α) which are some of the main factors to inflammation. For a person coping with coronavirus, it is important that both C-reactive protein and cytokines (IL6, TNF-α) are kept in a low level to enhance the body healing strategy. With Tai chi training, one can build the body fight immunes and give the virus little or no surviving chance in the body.
Also, it is important to note that the effect of Coronavirus (COVID-19) is not only of the physical health of the individual, in fact, its psychological effect is as intense as the physical effect. By the mention of the disease, fear is felt. During the heat of the pandemic, when people hear that their family member or friends may have the virus, it is assumed that the chances of survival were 50/50 and this makes them think they are already losing their friend or family member who is affected. Even after the heat and the vaccine found, the impact of the disease is still very fresh in the minds of people.
Tai chi come as a rehabilitation module which helps people get over this feeling. How does Tai chi achieve this? Tai chi is a slow but systematic aerobic exercise which is characterized by the movement of the body in a defensive and yet confident way. Tai chi is an exercise you can do at your own pace and you can choose to go faster as your confidence increase. People with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) caused by the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic could get their confidence back and gain healthy living by engaging in this exercise. They might not necessary need to practice it all the time but we found out that overtime, it may become a part of them.
Tai chi has always been exclusively associated with the Chinese. Many may even think that if you are not a Chinese, you will find it very difficult to learn and understand the art. Other believes that the sole purpose of Tai chi is for fighting and defense but now we learn a new dimension of the art. Its health care benefits are as amazing as the martial art benefit. For example, during the pandemic people mind were affected the more and tai chi is great in putting the mind in right order. Also, in the heat of the pandemic, Tai chi videos and lessons became one of the most viewed videos on YouTube because it helps to build the immune system and makes it easier to fight the virus for those coping with it.
One of the many good things about Tai chi is that everyone can learn and practice it; both young and old. This is because you do it at your own pace. If over the time of learning and practice, the art has become part of your routine, then you are lucky because you have just added a healthy practice to your life activity. Also, you may want to keep in mind that the coronavirus (COVID-19) has not been totally eradicated; people still contact it and some still die out of it. If you learn and practice tai chi, you could have an edge in prevention and fighting the disease. If you are yet to get started, you might want to start up immediately to improve your overall health.