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Yoga, Tai Chi and Pilates all have one thing in common. They are all soft on the knees and joints and therefore can be done by people of all ages and various medical conditions. All three of them are well-known for improving flexibility, stamina, and mental balance. Each one has its own benefits though, that are discussed here.
Yoga
Yoga is a 5000-year-old Indian method which brings about a union between body, mind and spirit. Postures, breathing and meditation make up the core of yoga. Postures build strength and stamina, breathing calms the mind, and meditation bonds the body-mind with the spirit. There is cure for everything in yoga. Several styles of yoga benefit a myriad of conditions.
Benefits of yoga:* Heals injuries.
* Invigorates the body and mind.
* Builds strength, stamina and flexibility.
* Cures ailments and diseases.
* Enhances posture while walking, standing or sitting.
* Several styles cater to several different medical conditions.
Tai Chi
Tai Chi is a 2000-year-old Chinese method that incorporates exercises, martial arts and meditation, done in slow motion. It is based on the principles of yin and yang, and generates the life force called chi. While it is illuminating to know about these concepts in greater detail, many practice it just for the calming influence it has on them.
Tai Chi is mostly slow and elegant. Groups practicing Tai Chi can often be seen in parks. Although the movements are slow, they involve the whole body and stretch every part of it. Stretching is not intense; the focus is more on balance and peace of mind. A lot of awareness is needed to do these poses gracefully. Breathing is slow and deep.
Some of the benefits of Tai Chi are:* Better circulation
* Reduction in stress and strain
* Improvement of muscle tone
* Mental peace
* Harmonization between the body and mind
* Helps in healing of heart disease, respiration difficulties and for better digestion.
Pilates
Pilates is an 80-year-old system focused on strengthening muscles in the deep abdomen to better support the back. It consists of 500 exercises inspired from yoga that engage both body and mind. The movements are smooth and the emphasis is on the pelvis, back and abdomen.
Pilates gives a good workout to several muscle groups at a time. It does it in a manner that is not exhausting but invigorating. It is a holistic method that has several benefits.
Benefits of Pilates: * Aligns the body right and restores posture.
* Greatly helps the back in offering support and reducing pain.
* Helps the spine become more flexible and strong.
* Strengthens muscles in the deep abdomen.
* Improves muscle tone.
* Prevents injury risks.
* Increases mobility and flexibility.
* Boosts energy and stamina.
While which one of the three would be best suited to you entirely depends on your personal preferences and health quotient. As per your personal fitness goals you can choose one or combination of these to extract the maximum benefits of the workout sessions. The best part is all three support each other and help achieve better balance.
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