Did you know that training Tai Chi Ch’uan may be very good for you if you’re pregnant? Here are some things to think about:
Tai Chi is a wonderful art form of soft movement that has been proven over and over to aide in relaxing the body and mind. It is, indeed, an anxiety inhibitor. It encourages the muscles to let go, the body to relax and the mind to finally settle and be at peace. This is a super healthy environment for a baby that’s no bigger than a cell phone!
It has been shown to reduce blood pressure as well as slow the heart rate. Along with those, it also has been shown to be a stimulator to metabolism and therefore and fantastic way to control your weight. It’s interesting how it helps metabolism while at the same time slowing the heart rate. There’s a mystery to ponder.
For someone who is pregnant, it’s benefit of strengthening the legs, lower back and stomach is needed. Remaining in great shape during pregnancy makes it all the better, in my opinion, for a safer full term and delivery.
By training tai chi, the joints retain and develop excellent ability of motion and the supporting ligaments/muscles etc. become stronger. This means, you are less tired and stiff. You have more energy, greater range of motion and you’re stronger!
Of course, please chat with your Doctor to see what he suggests for your particular pregnancy. Some pregnancies require a great deal of rest and possibly tai chi would not work out so well. But, I believe, for the most part, that tai chi is possibly the one thing most pregnant women can do almost until the day of delivery.
These are my thoughts and opinions. Other folks may have a differing opinion and, naturally, different situations may cause a Doctor to be more conservative. So, be sure to stay in close touch with your supervising Doctor before and during your exercise choices for proper monitoring.
Good advice! I also am a firm believer that exercise during pregnancy makes the pregnancy itself easier and helps in losing the weight after delivery. I intend to continue training what I can while I’m pregnant, so brushing up on the Tai Chi form would be a great way to help keep my body in shape. Wonderful idea, Master Baird!!
I know this as fact for myself. I have seen Tai CHI Ch’uan work for my wife while she was pregnant and after the birth when her blood pressure was even to hard for the doctors to control at one point. I will spend my life time working on Tai Chi Ch’uan it has helped me relax in my kung fu.
Once again, another reason to train martial arts!