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Tai Chi

How to Use Tai Chi for Mood Improvement

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Free Tai Chi Classes in Long Beach Ca

Did you know that there exists a martial art that can help with improving your mood? 

Yes, you heard that right, a martial art that can improve your mood. The best part is that it’s low intensity making it perfect for anyone who is willing to give it a chance and as you will later see, completely free.

Tai Chi, a traditional Chinese martial art, can be beneficial in many different aspects of life. Whether it is to get a work out, reduce stress, increase mobility, flexibility or improve your mood. 

In this article we are going to mainly focus on how Tai Chi can be beneficial in improving your mood as well as why it is important for your mental health to not let the stresses of your life affect or dictate your attitude and outlook on life.

What is Tai Chi?

Let us start with some basic questions, what is Tai Chi? Why is it being practiced now?

Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese martial art dating back thousands of years, in which practitioners perform different poses while taking in deep breaths.

The practice of Tai Chi in modern times has become a very popular form of low impact exercise for people of any age group or physical fitness. The simple reason being that due to the calming nature of the practice it  is sometimes referred to as meditation in motion

By coordinating mental focus, deep rhythmic breathing and body postures it has been shown that Tai Chi has beneficial effects on both your physical and psychological well being. Such as increased mobility and stamina as well as reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Why is it Important to Improve My Mood?

Improvement in mood is not as shallow as being able to tolerate people you work with or not getting upset at other drivers on the road.

Well it does also mean those things, but more importantly actively improving your mood helps you feel more in control. Because you are taking an active role in your own treatment, you will see improvement in your self esteem as well as your confidence.

Your mood affects your mental health, your mental health affects every part of your life; It affects your physical health, relationships and how you feel about yourself. Poor mental health has been linked with many mood disorders such as:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Bipolar Disorder

 As well as physical issues like:

  • Digestive disorders
  • Lack of energy
  • Heart disease 
  • Headache
  • Stomachache

So why Choose Tai Chi?

It is well documented that exercise of any kind and meditation help improve your mood and mental health as well as your physical health.

But why choose to practice Tai Chi over hitting the gym? Great question! I’m glad you asked.

Tai Chi combines both exercise and meditation making it a very efficient exercise, with many people seeing positive results by practicing as little as one hour a week. Tai Chi also has a very low barrier of entry. No special uniform or equipment is necessary, just some comfortable clothes and shoes with no heels.

Not to mention classes are completely free. We offer free Tai Chi classes for beginners and students of any level. Feel free to ask the staff at SOHMA Integrative Medicine of Long Beach CA about our free Tai Chi classes. You are also welcomed to watch one of our free classes at Heartwell Park in Long Beach CA, right around the duck pond.

Ultimately the decision is in your hands to better your mood and mental health. We are here to give you the best options we can offer without the use of pharmaceuticals or other drugs.

Take the Next Step In Improving Your Health by Contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can reach out to us and ask us about the Myers Cocktail, IV Therapy, Chiropractic care, or how our other health service lines can help you with your journey to improved health. 

Located in Long Beach, CA we help individuals from the surrounding cities.

We look forward to helping you take the next step in your journey to better health.

Reduce the Stress In Your Life Through the Traditional Martial Art of Tai Chi

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Practicing Tai Chi for Less than 1 Hour Weekly Can Lead to Stress Reduction

You may have seen it at your local park or gyms, a slow moving martial art practiced by students of every age and fitness level.

Why is it so popular? 

What benefits does it have?  

Today we will take a deep dive into the traditional Chinese martial art known as Tai Chi. How Tai Chi can be used to reduce stress, as well as why it is important to minimize stress in your daily life.

How Does Stress Affect You?

Symptoms of stress can be affecting your health without you noticing it. You may be blaming headaches, insomnia, muscle pain, upset stomach or fatigue on an illness, when stress may actually be the cause. These symptoms may cause other effects on your mood and emotional health such as:

  • Anxiety
  • Lack of focus
  • Irritability
  • Depression

It is very important to your health to try to actively manage your stress, as it can spiral into many other negative behaviors in order to cope with it, examples may be:

  • Heavy Drinking
  • Smoking
  • Over/Under Eating
  • Social Withdrawal
  • Anger Issues

Slow and Steady to Manage Stress

When life is stressful we often look for the quick fix. Who can blame us right? We are constantly seeing messages for programs like “6 minute abs” and “1 hour taxes”. It makes sense we like to get things done quickly.

Reducing stress can often be achieved through a slow and steady process. 

Tai Chi may help you find the quiet and calm you may be looking for. Often called meditation in motion because you combine controlled breathing with slow movements. Once you enter a state of mindfulness you begin to relax and reduce some of the built up stress you may be carrying.

A Simple Way to Get Started in Tai Chi…Absolutely FREE

The best way to learn how to practice Tai Chi is by taking a class. Your level of fitness does not matter, and you can always perform the movements within your limits when you start. Seeing a teacher performing the actions and receiving feedback alongside other students are all advantages to learning. We offer free Tai Chi classes for any level of students and we welcome beginners. Feel free to ask the staff at SOHMA Integrative Medicine of Long Beach CA about our free Tai Chi classes.

Long Term Benefits of Tai Chi

What are some of the long term benefits of Tai Chi? Many people have reported a significant improvement in their quality of sleep as well as a decrease in anxiety and panic attacks with as little as 2 days of Tai Chi classes a week for a couple months.

It has been expressed that slow mindful breaths, accompanied with the slow movements of Tai Chi have a positive effect on the nervous system and hormones that regulate mood. Which may help you relax and recover from built up muscle tension due to stress.

Tai Chi is also a very safe form of exercise. Because of its slow moving nature, people who suffer from heart disease or are physically limited can get regular physical activity. Consistent Tai Chi practice may help with weight control, increased physical activity and overall life quality improvement.

Is Tai Chi Right for Me?

Tai Chi is an excellent option for everyone. Due to the nature of the martial art practice it is available to anybody, at any age or any fitness level. If you still have any questions on whether or not Tai Chi is the right option to manage your stress, feel free to watch one of our free classes at Heartwell Park in Long Beach CA (by the duck pond). If you feel comfortable you are alway welcome to join our free community Tai Chi class for beginners.

Take the Next Step In Improving Your Health by Contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can reach out to us and ask us about the Myers Cocktail, IV Therapy, Chiropractic care, or how our other health service lines can help you with your journey to improved health. 

Located in Long Beach, CA we help individuals from the surrounding cities.

We look forward to helping you take the next step in your journey to better health.

5 Reasons to Find a Chiropractor In Long Beach

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Chiropractor Consultation

You might be thinking “Great, some Chiropractor telling me I need to use them!” Rest assured the #1 concern we have here at SHOMA Integrative medicine is your health. Whether you use us or another qualified medical professional isn’t the issue. Our concern is to raise the level of health in our fine city of Long Beach, CA.

Before we dig into the details, allow me to share with you a story of a client who visited me years ago (you just might relate).

“I thought all chiropractors did was crack a few necks, weren’t real doctors, and really didn’t do much”.

I wish I could tell you that this was the first time I heard this type of messaging however it was not. If that is how you feel it’s ok. Discover how chiropractic care might benefit you. What you will discover is that at SOHMA Integrative Medicine we are more than just Chiropractic care, however for today let’s dig into a few reasons you might want to consider starting a chiropractic regime.

You Have Regular Back and Neck Pain and Want to Avoid Taking Pills to Handle the Pain

We aren’t against modern medicine however many of our patients come to us being tired of filling prescriptions. They want a different way of life. They are searching for a way that they aren’t dependent on pills to take away their pain.

Many of our patients come to us after having tried multiple doctors or even other chiropractors to handle their neck and back pain.

Oddly enough it’s not just car accidents (which is what many think) can cause neck and back pain. Here at our office we have seen folks develop back and neck pain from:

  • Sleeping wrong on a consistent basis (one of our clients routinely falls asleep sitting straight up in a chair and it led to neck pain)
  • Weekend warriors who push their bodies to the limit and don’t have the same mobility that they used to when they were 20 years younger
  • Lifting heavy objects on a routine basis with the incorrect form either at work or at home

If you are experiencing neck or back pain on a regular basis and your current treatment isn’t working as you desired it might be worth looking into alternative treatment options.

Stress is Causing You Issues and Your Current Treatment Methods are Not Reducing Your Stress Levels

Many of us have had the vision that we just want to disappear to an island where stress doesn’t exist. It’s a pretty sweet dream! Before you sell all of your belongings and disappear to an island we would invite you to discover how to manage your stress.

How does chiropractic care help with stress?

Part of chiropractic care is management of pain throughout the body. Pain in the body causes stress. When you can move without less pain or even no pain you will discover how your level of stress goes down. The body doesn’t want to manage consistent pain. One of the best methods is to discover how to reduce the pain so the body can focus on other items.

You Are An Athlete Who Wants to Improve Your Performance

We have yet to meet an athlete at our Long Beach, CA location who didn’t want to improve their performance. We have runners, triathletes, cyclists, gymnasts, football, soccer, track and more who come to our location.

One of the reasons they come to us is they are seeking an edge in performance. One particular triathlete had shoulder pain when he was down in his drops on the bike. This is a problem for racing and training.

What he discovered after a few sessions:

  • We were able to help him increase his mobility that reduced the pain
  • The bike was not quite fit to his specific body type and some adjustments to the bike also help reduce his pain
  • We provided him with additional exercises to help the muscles that could help support his body during racing and training

One of the benefits of our staff and chiropractors is they are individuals who have a wide variety of interests. Many are dedicated athletes who continue to train for events and they bring that passion to helping our patients.

Take the Next Step In Improving Your Health by Contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can reach out to us and ask us if we are right for you. Located in Long Beach, CA we help individuals from Long Beach and the surrounding cities.

We look forward to helping you take the next step in your journey to better health.

5 Benefits of Tai Chi

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Tai Chi. Many have seen it and may not even realize it. You may have noticed individuals in the park or even groups of people making very deliberate movements.

We have been asked “what’s with the slow Karate?”

It is not Karate, it’s Tai Chi. One of the programs we have been doing for years here at SOHMA Integrative Medicine is organizing Tai Chi classes for our neighbors in Long Beach.

One of the commonly asked questions we get is: Can you tell me what Tai Chi is?

What is Tai Chi and Will It Benefit Me?

Tai chi is an ancient tradition that began in China. It is a gentle form of exercise. One of its many benefits is how it can be performed by those in many states of physical fitness. You might be an Ironman triathlete or an individual coming off injury or even someone beginning their exercise journey.

Tai chi has many styles and because it includes posture, exercise, and stretching it can help you in many different ways.

Let’s get into the benefits of Tai Chi and you can decide if you would like to join us for one of our classes.

Benefit #1: Decreased stress, anxiety, and depression

You will discover how to focus on the current state of your body. It will teach you to understand your body and how to focus your mind. When you do this it is amazing how many other issues seem to reduce in importance.

Benefit #2: Improved flexibility, balance and agility

We have individuals who regularly attend our Tai Chi Class at Heartwell Park who are competitive triathletes, cyclists, and runners. Why would they do this “slow motion” exercise?

They do it for the benefits of their flexibility. Regardless of your sport, when you improve your flexibility and balance it will help you. We have yet to meet an athlete who said “I am too flexible” or “I have too much balance”.

Benefit #3: Improved aerobic capacity

Are there times when you are going up stairs that you have a hard time breathing? Are there times when you are walking that you feel out of breath?

Starting a regular exercise routine can be scary. Tai Chi, especially one like our beginner group, is a safe space to begin. You will get support from those around you who have been where you are if you are just starting.

What you will discover is you begin to see progress. You want to change other things and “suddenly” your health has improved because you took the first step.

Benefit #4: Improved Mood

A positive attitude can really change one’s perspective. Having a great attitude in a bad situation can make it not as bad. Dare we say it can even make a situation fun.

What you will discover in tai chi is that you learn how to breathe, you learn how to control your body, and by process you will discover how you can alter your mood.

Benefit #5: Increased energy and stamina

Walking by a school yard you can see kids have boundless energy. Many adults say “I wish I had their energy!”. It’s true kids have a ton of energy and here is another thing adults can have more energy as well!

What we invite you to do is take up a form of exercise that can provide you with more energy. There are exercise routines that are so aggressive they can reduce your energy. Tai chi is one that can help you build energy and stamina.

Explore The Benefits of Tai Chi at our Free Class

We met on a regular basis at Heartwell park in Long Beach, CA. We often get asked “why is it free?” or “is it really free?”

The answer is yes it is absolutely free. We do this class as a way to give back to the community in Long Beach, CA. We care about the health of our community members.

Check out our meet-up page for information on Long Beach Tai Chi Classes.

Take the Next Step In Improving Your Health by Contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can reach out to us and ask us if we are right for you. Located in Long Beach, CA we help individuals from Long Beach and the surrounding cities.

We look forward to helping you take the next step in your journey to better health.

Tai Chi for Beginners Series Now Available on DVD!

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We’re very excited to announce that our Tai Chi for Beginners series is now available on DVD! To purchase your copy, click below:

Tai Chi Chuan is a slow moving internal martial art that helps improve our balance and health in many ways. At the School of Healing Martial Arts™ (SOHMA), we teach Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan form set 24 and integrate it into our patient’s rehabilitation programs at our health center. This is the most popular Tai Chi form practiced worldwide. All of the major martial arts applications in the 24 form are demonstrated in this series.

In the Tai Chi for Beginners series, we offer seven lessons which are each thirty-minutes in length, including:

  • Lesson 1: Tai Chi Fundamentals
  • Lesson 2: Balance and Flow
  • Lesson 3: Opening and Expanding your Frame
  • Lesson 4: Place of Power
  • Lesson 5: Awareness
  • Lesson 6: Transitions
  • Lesson 7: Deepening Your Practice

These lessons build upon one another and will give you a wonderful start and foundation to your practice.