What is it?
A part of Chinese medicine, tai chi combines gentle movement, deep breathing techniques and meditation. The movements create stability in the body, reflecting the ancient Chinese concept of balance known as Yin and Yang.
Why use it
The breathwork of tai chi is calming and meditative. Creating and holding the poses helps to loosen and strengthen muscles. Tai chi can be modified for groups that are less mobile.
What to expect
During class there will be serene music playing. The class usually starts with warm-up exercises. You will be shown different moves and assisted to perform them. The instructor may use names to describe the poses, for example, “white crane spreads its wings”.
Movements start out simple and gradually get harder, with many parts of the body needing to move to achieve the pose. The class ends with cooling down and relaxation.
What is the evidence?
Studies have shown that tai chi can improve quality of life, balance, agility, flexibility and muscle tone in cancer survivors. While there is less certainty, some studies suggest that tai chi may also help reduce fatigue, anxiety, depression and stress.
I joined a tai chi class organised through the Carers Association and also attended their support workshops and relaxation sessions. The encouragement from other carers gave me the confidence boost I needed.
ISABELLA (CARER)
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Key resource
Download a PDF booklet on this topic.
More resources
A/Prof Geraldine McDonald, Director Patient Experience and Wellbeing, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Laura Carman, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council Victoria; A/Prof Christine Carrington, Senior Consultant Pharmacist Cancer Services, Princess Alexandra Hospital and Metro South Health and The University of Queensland, QLD; Kellie Giannarelli, Consumer; Dr Suzanne Grant, Senior Research Fellow, Integrative Oncology, NICM Health Research Institute, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Vivienne Hansen, Bush and Western Herbal Medicine Practitioner, WA; Karla Jaji, Administration Officer, Nepean Cancer and Wellness Centre, NSW; Dr Laura Kirsten, Senior Clinical Psychologist, Nepean Cancer Services, Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District, NSW; A/Prof Judith Lacey, Director of Supportive Care and Integrative Oncology, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Adjunct Professor Danforn Lim, Western Sydney University and University of Technology Sydney, NSW; Dr David Mizrahi, Senior Research Fellow and Accredited Exercise Physiologist, The Daffodil Centre, University of Sydney and Cancer Council NSW; Professor Avni Sali AM, Founder and Director, National Institute of Integrative Medicine, VIC; Gillian Thompson, Consumer; A/Prof Kate Webber, Medical Oncologist, Monash Health, VIC; Tanya Wells, Integrative Oncology Consultant and Naturopath, Melbourne Integrative Oncology Group, VIC; Prof Kate White, Professor Cancer Nursing, Cancer Care Research Unit, The Daffodil Centre, University of Sydney and Cancer Council NSW.
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