Diffusion of Innovation theory notes that the first stage in the adoption of an innovation (Innovators) can actually be a barrier. I fear that this may be the case with promoting the diffusion of tai chi in society. Innovators are characterized by those who tend to be the first to try a new innovation, and more readily adopt new things. Innovators do not necessarily need a lot of “proof” that something is effective. Many tai chi teachers fall into this category - they fell in love with tai chi for a variety of reasons, and needed very little persuasion to adopt this practice.
And often, the more unusual something is, the more it sets innovators apart from others, meeting needs for unique recognition. However, innovators only make up about 2.5% of the population, and the later adopter categories (early adopters, and early and late majority) need to see value in an innovation before adopting it. Currently just over 1% of the population practices tai chi. Considering its benefits for health, it is important to embrace a population centered approach, yet without giving up the essence and full depth of tai chi.
Innovators love the idea of qi as a metaphysical energy. Later adopter categories generally see this as new age and essentially nonsense. I am not discounting metaphysical aspects of tai chi and related mind/body practices, but it is important to note that understanding, promoting, and teaching tai chi from a “practical” Western perspective is important towards enhancing the adoption of tai chi in America for health and wellness. A metarobic perspective, and related physiological research, helps address adoption barriers to the general public related to the five main factors which affect the adoption of an innovation.
In short, a metarobic or similar evidence and physiological based approach addresses relative advantage, allowing better comparison to other physical exercises; addresses compatibility in that a physiological perspective is more acceptable to the general population; addresses complexity and trialability, in that initial practice can focus on easy to follow individual movements which maximize initial benefits; and finally, observability, in that a metarobic or similar approach can provide measurable ways to see tangible benefits.
For research and tips for teaching and learning tai chi, which can help foster the adoption of tai chi by a larger segment of the population beyond innovators, please see my book “Mindful Exercise: Metarobics, Healing, and the Power of Tai Chi,” by YMAA Publications (also available on Amazon).
"Presenting over ten years of research into how and why tai chi benefits health from an evidence-based, medical perspective, Mindful Exercise demonstrates the link between health and metarobics. Thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, Mindful Exercise: Metarobics, Healing and the Power of Tai Chi is impressively informative and very highly recommended for personal and community Tai Chi and Health/Fitness collections." --Margaret Lane, Midwest Reviews, Wisconsin Bookwatch
And often, the more unusual something is, the more it sets innovators apart from others, meeting needs for unique recognition. However, innovators only make up about 2.5% of the population, and the later adopter categories (early adopters, and early and late majority) need to see value in an innovation before adopting it. Currently just over 1% of the population practices tai chi. Considering its benefits for health, it is important to embrace a population centered approach, yet without giving up the essence and full depth of tai chi.
Innovators love the idea of qi as a metaphysical energy. Later adopter categories generally see this as new age and essentially nonsense. I am not discounting metaphysical aspects of tai chi and related mind/body practices, but it is important to note that understanding, promoting, and teaching tai chi from a “practical” Western perspective is important towards enhancing the adoption of tai chi in America for health and wellness. A metarobic perspective, and related physiological research, helps address adoption barriers to the general public related to the five main factors which affect the adoption of an innovation.
In short, a metarobic or similar evidence and physiological based approach addresses relative advantage, allowing better comparison to other physical exercises; addresses compatibility in that a physiological perspective is more acceptable to the general population; addresses complexity and trialability, in that initial practice can focus on easy to follow individual movements which maximize initial benefits; and finally, observability, in that a metarobic or similar approach can provide measurable ways to see tangible benefits.
For research and tips for teaching and learning tai chi, which can help foster the adoption of tai chi by a larger segment of the population beyond innovators, please see my book “Mindful Exercise: Metarobics, Healing, and the Power of Tai Chi,” by YMAA Publications (also available on Amazon).
"Presenting over ten years of research into how and why tai chi benefits health from an evidence-based, medical perspective, Mindful Exercise demonstrates the link between health and metarobics. Thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, Mindful Exercise: Metarobics, Healing and the Power of Tai Chi is impressively informative and very highly recommended for personal and community Tai Chi and Health/Fitness collections." --Margaret Lane, Midwest Reviews, Wisconsin Bookwatch
RSS Feed