‘Hitting the mark’ with confidence
Known for its important role in preventing and treating physical and psychological illnesses, the Chinese martial art, Tai Chi, has reportedly “hit the mark” in helping to improve older people’s self-esteem and happiness.
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Known for its important role in preventing and treating physical and psychological illnesses, the Chinese martial art, Tai Chi, has reportedly “hit the mark” in helping to improve older people’s self-esteem and happiness.
Discussed recently at the Regional Conference of Gerontology and Geriatrics in Melbourne, Ruth Wei, a postgraduate student at Murdoch University in Perth, had investigated the effects of Tai Chi on building self-esteem in older people.
Through the International Taoist Tai Chi Society of Western Australia, Ms Wei surveyed 382 Tai Chi participants between January and July last year, where one in five reported an improvement in their confidence and attitude towards life.
According to Ms Wei, these participants, which included 75% of people aged over 55 years and 42% aged over 65 years, became more confident, compassionate, more tolerant towards people and less self-absorbed.
The survey also showed that the ancient martial art encouraged the act of volunteering in a community.
“What emerged from the survey was the more often people practised Tai Chi, the more often they become involved in voluntary functions, and the most likely they were to report positive changes associated with improve self-esteem,” Ms Wei said.
Findings indicated there were 3.5 times more women than men practising Tai Chi, and half were retired, with one or more chronic illnesses experienced by 77% of the people surveyed.
Despite Ms Wei’s inability to explain her claims of how Tai Chi might improve self-esteem, she alleged it did help participants to focus more on their relaxation skills.
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