Recent newsfeeds stressed again the importance of a Metarobic understanding behind the benefits of Tai Chi. Researchers with Emory University School of Medicine stated that the most critical area to research is identification of the mechanisms underlying the benefits of Tai Chi for older adults. Metarobics does this, and the following articles further stress this need. In the first article, on a study on the benefits of Tai Chi for type 2 diabetes (Click HERE to read the article), the author stated that benefits for type 2 diabetes might be due to Tai Chi being a moderate form of exercise. The author further defined moderate exercise as: "Any activity that leaves you feeling warm and slightly breathless but still able to hold a conversation counts as moderate exercise.” If there is one thing about Tai Chi, it is that it does not leave you in any degree breathless. Indeed, the feeling can be described more as being “breathful.” It has also been noted in an extensive review of Tai Chi studies that Tai Chi has no aerobic specific effects (1).
Since there is no established category for these exercises, others have also tried to classify exercises such as Tai Chi and Qigong as a low impact or moderate form of aerobic exercise. Until the development of a Metarobic understanding, researchers have had no other “go to” for mechanisms of effect, for the many and sometimes dramatic benefits of Tai Chi. This approach has several drawbacks. The first being that it is inaccurate. Tai Chi has only a mild effect on heart rate, and when practiced correctly, does not raise it to even low impact aerobic levels. I have noticed that in an attempt to gain “aerobic” benefits, some teachers and practitioners have sped Tai Chi up, to the point of removing two of the primary benefits of Tai Chi – a relaxed body combined with slow deep breaths. These two elements increase unique Metarobic effects related to enhanced blood oxygen saturation, diffusion, and oxygen metabolism.(See “Mindful Exercise: Metarobics, Healing, and the Power of Tai Chi" for details). It is my hope that in time, a Metarobic understanding of these exercises will help overcome the tendency to try to classify Tai Chi and related exercises as low impact aerobics, or as moderate exercise. As noted in my book, other researchers have also stated a need for such an evidence and theory based approach, from which to categorize and better study and promote these unique exercises. It is these exercises very nature as a slow moving, breath-focused relaxation exercise which results in such tremendous benefits for health and chronic conditions (again, see my book for more details).
The second article related to the importance of a Metarobic or similar understanding of Tai Chi and related exercises, was a tongue in cheek article by Simon Doonan, on her experiences with Tai Chi (Click HERE to read the article). In the article Simon notes that her husband came home from work, saw her doing Tai Chi, and thought she was having some sort of episode. She stated that she avoids trying to explain why she does Tai Chi, in part because there is no way to rationalize Tai Chi as “muscles toned” or “calories burned.” That as an exercise, it is intrinsically mysterious. I also appreciate the depths of Tai Chi, which at times can be quite “mysterious,” but it again stressed the need for promoting a Metarobic understanding of Tai Chi. It removes the WTF (noted below), with “Ah, so that’s why people do this.”
The WTF comes from Simon’s observation of the First Lady, Michelle Obama, learning Tai Chi while on a trip to China. Simon noted a frown and an expression that she described as “This won’t tone my arms. WTF?” Again, a Metarobic understanding will replace that with a smile and an “Ah, so that’s why I am doing this.” One final note, further stressing this point, comes from a reader comment: “Everybody over age 60 is Tai-curious. Everybody under 60 thinks it is utterly idiotic.” Metarobics replaces idiocy with understanding, including an understanding of the need for exercises such as Tai Chi and Qigong for chronic conditions, and answers the questions of the older “Tai-curious” group.
Citations
Since there is no established category for these exercises, others have also tried to classify exercises such as Tai Chi and Qigong as a low impact or moderate form of aerobic exercise. Until the development of a Metarobic understanding, researchers have had no other “go to” for mechanisms of effect, for the many and sometimes dramatic benefits of Tai Chi. This approach has several drawbacks. The first being that it is inaccurate. Tai Chi has only a mild effect on heart rate, and when practiced correctly, does not raise it to even low impact aerobic levels. I have noticed that in an attempt to gain “aerobic” benefits, some teachers and practitioners have sped Tai Chi up, to the point of removing two of the primary benefits of Tai Chi – a relaxed body combined with slow deep breaths. These two elements increase unique Metarobic effects related to enhanced blood oxygen saturation, diffusion, and oxygen metabolism.(See “Mindful Exercise: Metarobics, Healing, and the Power of Tai Chi" for details). It is my hope that in time, a Metarobic understanding of these exercises will help overcome the tendency to try to classify Tai Chi and related exercises as low impact aerobics, or as moderate exercise. As noted in my book, other researchers have also stated a need for such an evidence and theory based approach, from which to categorize and better study and promote these unique exercises. It is these exercises very nature as a slow moving, breath-focused relaxation exercise which results in such tremendous benefits for health and chronic conditions (again, see my book for more details).
The second article related to the importance of a Metarobic or similar understanding of Tai Chi and related exercises, was a tongue in cheek article by Simon Doonan, on her experiences with Tai Chi (Click HERE to read the article). In the article Simon notes that her husband came home from work, saw her doing Tai Chi, and thought she was having some sort of episode. She stated that she avoids trying to explain why she does Tai Chi, in part because there is no way to rationalize Tai Chi as “muscles toned” or “calories burned.” That as an exercise, it is intrinsically mysterious. I also appreciate the depths of Tai Chi, which at times can be quite “mysterious,” but it again stressed the need for promoting a Metarobic understanding of Tai Chi. It removes the WTF (noted below), with “Ah, so that’s why people do this.”
The WTF comes from Simon’s observation of the First Lady, Michelle Obama, learning Tai Chi while on a trip to China. Simon noted a frown and an expression that she described as “This won’t tone my arms. WTF?” Again, a Metarobic understanding will replace that with a smile and an “Ah, so that’s why I am doing this.” One final note, further stressing this point, comes from a reader comment: “Everybody over age 60 is Tai-curious. Everybody under 60 thinks it is utterly idiotic.” Metarobics replaces idiocy with understanding, including an understanding of the need for exercises such as Tai Chi and Qigong for chronic conditions, and answers the questions of the older “Tai-curious” group.
Citations
- Lee MS, Lee E, Ernst E. Is tai chi beneficial for improving aerobic capacity? A systematic review. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2009 43; 569-573.
- Tai Chi Can Help Control Type 2 Diabetes. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/102387.php
- Is Tai Chi the New Yoga? http://www.slate.com/articles/life/doonan/2014/06/tai_chi_confessions_of_a_convert.html
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