01/27/2026
Enhancing Balance, Comfort, Strength and Cognitive function with Tai Chi
Longevity arts such as tai chi (tajiquan ε€ͺζζ³) strengthen postural practices (such as softening the knees) that promote whole-body activation, relaxation, and circulation.
When circulation is active, it becomes easier to notice what is stuck.
As the quite intelligent body wants to feel great,
Noticing what is stuck, empty, or cold,
Naturally motivates you to adjust posture,
relaxing what is tight,
and bringing warm attention to areas that empty or cold -
ensuring tension, and warmth, is optimally balanced.
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When tension and warmth is optimally balanced,
blood reaches all regions, nourishing them with nutrition,
and preventing and pain before it arrives.
Optimizing the balance of tension also ensures the weight of the body is distributed optimally throughout the system -
improving balance, and reducing the risk of falls into old age.
* * * * These are some of the natural effects of learning tai chi, which hundreds of studies are verifying! e.g. Huston, P., McFarlane, B. (2016). Health benefits of tai chi: What is the evidence? Canadian Family Physician, 62(11): 881-890. * * * *
*Body-Focus & Creative Work *
Nutrient-enriched blood flowing through all parts of the body
is the foundation for the physical benefits of movement, which include the production of substances such as serotonin and dopamine which improve concentration, creativity and calm.
The time spent in mindful motion becomes less about simply feeling good physically, and more about allowing the best life to come to you
(and getting strong enough to receive it).
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The most simple yet powerful of practices to get you started includes the
listening to the toes and fingers.
Toes and fingers contain the ends of nerves and vessels that start at the center of the body.
Gently extending through them activates the whole pathway . . . opening up legs, and arms,
helping clear out stagnation within, while improving the flow of nutrient-rich blood and nerve impulses back to spine, brain and heart.
Who would have thought that the quickest way to the center would start at the places furthest from it?
This gently extending through the fingertips and toe-tips may be practiced while sitting, laying down, moving, or standing.
It can still the wandering mind.
And it is one of the practices we encourage patients to explore - especially when laying in bed at night, or when receiving treatment in our office.
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Do you have experience with this particular principle of opening up through the hands and toes? Share your experience in the comments!
Or, if not - try this out for a bit, then come back and share your result!
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π In our White Salmon practice, we offer a variety of services, including comprehensive health programs that improve essential health habits -
while cutting off the cause of disease.
Whether you are seeking Mindful Movement, Massage, Health Education & Coaching, or a combination of what will best help - these services usually include ergonomic training in the form of simple exercises (usually from but not limited to tai chi and qigong).
If you are seeking support in strategically moving through some challenges into better health, naturally, and sustainably - visit us online or in person!
To begin, or learn more, visit us at https://wushingwellness.com
You may also call us at (503) 243 1291.
Best regards and to enjoying your day,
- Dr. Timothy M. Prag,
DACHM, LMT
