At The Academy of Martial Arts, we practice a system of Tai Chi that promotes range of movement and balance. Focusing on joint flexibility, Tai Chi can reduce the risk of injuries that are most often associated with restricted movement or age. Each class consists of a light warm-up comprised of balance drills, isolated movement…
This month at the Academy of Martial Arts, our theme is “Mental Strong.” We are promoting mental health awareness and including meditation and stillness in our classes. In celebration of February’s theme, let’s talk about the power of stillness. Ever consider taking a moment to sit still, close your eyes, and give yourself a second…
You wake up far earlier than you would like to because your mind is constantly running over the endless list of things to do. Your internal alarm clock seems to never shut off and you always have the feeling that you are running behind or forgetting something. Life can be pretty stressful and at times…
No matter how hard we may try to avoid falling victim to the woes of stress, it can seem like an undefeatable challenge some days. Between the morning and evening commute, the transit delays, the angry passengers, the pile of deadlines, and not enough time to simply relax – we can often forget just to…
Striking that healthy balance between work and life has become an increasingly difficult challenge in today’s society. As a result of the demanding pressures of work, family, home and everything in between, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) reported that 58% of Canadians feel overloaded with life. If you feel as though you’re struggling to…
Often, people make the mistake of thinking of martial arts as activities only for the young. While people of all ages can practice and enjoy Karate, Ju Jutsu, and more, Tai Chi is a physical activity that is particularly well-suited to seniors. If you’re wondering how to get in shape, read on: What is Tai…
To the onlooker, Tai Chi may present as simplistic, like a slow-moving dance with little challenge and stereotypically associated with an older population. In reality, Tai Chi is complex, targets many aspects of human health and is beneficial to both young and old. One primary benefit is Cardiovascular health. In Tai Chi practice, breathing is…
As a form of physical exercise performed regularly, Tai Chi addresses the key components of fitness: muscle strength, flexibility, and balance by engaging every major muscle and joint group in the body. Even bone strength can be improved. Good posture is essential in the practice of Tai Chi not only for the sequence of movements…
This is the beginning of several articles written by one of our family members, Mara Ouimette. —————- What form of exercise can benefit the mind, body and spirit, can be practiced by anyone regardless of age or physical ability, indoors or outdoors and requires no specialized equipment? The answer is simple: Tai Chi. The ancient…
As the name suggests, Tai Chi originates from China and it is an ancient art form that joins together the mind, the body and the soul to turn you into a calm and centred being. The benefits of Tai Chi are numerous. In terms of physicality the sheer skill and technique that is required to…