With the release of "Mindful Exercise: Metarobics, Healing, and the Power of Tai Chi," I will be re-posting the three part series highlighting why a Metarobic approach to mindful exercises such as forms of tai chi, qigong, and yoga is so important. Below is part one:
Exercises such as Tai Chi and Qigong have been around for a long time. A growing body of research is supporting a wide range of benefits for a variety of chronic conditions (See the Research pages or Resources/Events page for more information). Yet these exercises are practiced by a small minority of the population. One of the primary barriers identified during a national expert meeting, conducted by the National Council on Aging, is a lack of understanding of how and why these exercises provide such a variety of benefits, beyond “Qi,” usually defined as “Vital Energy.” This has been identified as a barrier to the adoption of Tai Chi for those who desire a more specific answer, as to how and why exercises such as Tai Chi would be of benefit (as stated by a survey respondent – “It looks like they are waiving their hands around for no reason”). Another barrier identified was a lack of user friendly classes for older adults, and for those with chronic conditions.
With the wide range of chronic conditions which exercises such as Tai Chi benefit, it is critical to research, support and promote an evidence and theory based perspective of these exercises. The term Metarobics (alternatively Metaerobics), is based on years of research and investigation, and provides a good fit within the Aerobic and Anaerobic categories of exercise. Since there is no category for which these exercises currently fit, many sources state that exercises such as Tai Chi may qualify as “low impact aerobics.” But many of these exercises are performed stationary, with almost no increase in heart rate. Even the more dynamic forms are performed slowly, and the heart rate does not increase to what could be considered aerobic levels, according to a review published by Dr. Lee and others in the British Journal of Sports Medicine (Is tai chi beneficial for improving aerobic capacity? A systematic review).
To facilitate adoption of these exercises in the general public, it is important to develop a testable and relevant theory based perspective. Metarobic Theory does this, [related to unique and measurable effects on enhanced blood oxygen saturation, diffusion, and oxygen based metabolism). Metarobic Theory can provide a basis for further understanding of the various mechanisms of action, and for the effective promotion of breath focused relaxation forms of Tai Chi, Qigong and Yoga. In time, Metarobics may even come to include walking, since in many ways, walking, particularly with a focus on the breath, may be closer to a Metarobic versus Aerobic exercise.
Exercises such as Tai Chi and Qigong have been around for a long time. A growing body of research is supporting a wide range of benefits for a variety of chronic conditions (See the Research pages or Resources/Events page for more information). Yet these exercises are practiced by a small minority of the population. One of the primary barriers identified during a national expert meeting, conducted by the National Council on Aging, is a lack of understanding of how and why these exercises provide such a variety of benefits, beyond “Qi,” usually defined as “Vital Energy.” This has been identified as a barrier to the adoption of Tai Chi for those who desire a more specific answer, as to how and why exercises such as Tai Chi would be of benefit (as stated by a survey respondent – “It looks like they are waiving their hands around for no reason”). Another barrier identified was a lack of user friendly classes for older adults, and for those with chronic conditions.
With the wide range of chronic conditions which exercises such as Tai Chi benefit, it is critical to research, support and promote an evidence and theory based perspective of these exercises. The term Metarobics (alternatively Metaerobics), is based on years of research and investigation, and provides a good fit within the Aerobic and Anaerobic categories of exercise. Since there is no category for which these exercises currently fit, many sources state that exercises such as Tai Chi may qualify as “low impact aerobics.” But many of these exercises are performed stationary, with almost no increase in heart rate. Even the more dynamic forms are performed slowly, and the heart rate does not increase to what could be considered aerobic levels, according to a review published by Dr. Lee and others in the British Journal of Sports Medicine (Is tai chi beneficial for improving aerobic capacity? A systematic review).
To facilitate adoption of these exercises in the general public, it is important to develop a testable and relevant theory based perspective. Metarobic Theory does this, [related to unique and measurable effects on enhanced blood oxygen saturation, diffusion, and oxygen based metabolism). Metarobic Theory can provide a basis for further understanding of the various mechanisms of action, and for the effective promotion of breath focused relaxation forms of Tai Chi, Qigong and Yoga. In time, Metarobics may even come to include walking, since in many ways, walking, particularly with a focus on the breath, may be closer to a Metarobic versus Aerobic exercise.
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