Quite a stretch

Dalai Lama once said, ‘Calm mind brings inner strength and self-confidence, so that’s very important for good health.’ With modern life and busy schedules raising stress levels, Bengalureans are finding ways to combat it with exercises of their choice. In recent times, ‘Tai Chi’ has been gaining a fan following across age groups.

What makes it different? “This Chinese meditative form builds a deep connect with followers by helping one relax,” points out Aparna P, a fitness trainer. “I was attending a session on ‘Body Balance’ and it started with ‘Tai Chai’. That is how I got introduced to it. I noticed that it is a form which can put one into the present immediately. It helps to sync one’s mind, body and breath in no time,” she says.

“One can use it as a technique to combat emotional trauma or as a ‘self-massage’ technique for self-cleansing. Even if you are in pain, it helps you to rejuvenate,” she says.
‘Tai Chi’ brings everything in co-ordination and is movement-based, she adds.
“It’s like getting in touch with yourself. One can do ‘Tai Chi’ seated, lying down or standing, according to one’s comfort. It has calmed me down and has made things clearer for me.”

Sita Bhatt, a homeopathic medical practitioner, did pilates earlier but she found a new world of relaxation in ‘Tai Chi’. “For optimum results from any exercise, the connection between the mind, body and breath have to be well-maintained. While pilates works on core strengthening, ‘Tai Chai’ has a well-rounded approach to an exercise module,” she says.

Sita adds that “one is in the moment when practicing ‘Tai Chi’”.
“It focusses on strengthening one’s body balance, with or against gravity. Breathing along with balancing makes it a great meditative form,” she says.  

Others who do strength and weight training like Thyagaraj Annaswamy, programme manager with a software services company, have taken this form up to strike the right balance. “Weight training can be really intense and can tire one out, after which one needs something to calm and relax their muscles. It leaves me fresh after an intensive workout session, increases my flexibility and helps me stay calm throughout the day,” he explains.

Professionals like Deepa G, associate director of a telecom organisation, who battles stress on a daily basis, says that keeping oneself pepped up and having a fresh perspective to work is much needed.

“This is where ‘Tai Chi’ steps in for me. It works on two levels - the mind and then the body. It calms one and then energises you altogether,” she says.

Dealing with tight deadlines, interacting with people across time zones and handling an eclectic team seems to be far easier now for Deepa. “The way the movements regulate one’s energy is very fulfilling - it opens one up to different dimensions,” she says.