There are numerous ways to stay healthy and mobile over the long term, like exercise, a supplement for joint support, and a healthy diet. This blog specifically explains the role of ancient mind-body practices like yoga and tai chi in maintaining long-term mobility.

The Eastern Beliefs About Chakras

One of the fascinating facts about the human body is that it’s a microscopic model of our macrocosmic universe. Like hundreds of galaxies float in the universe, hundreds of neurons network in the body. Similarly, the presence of nine main planets in the solar system signifies the nine main chakras in our body. 

According to Eastern beliefs, the human body is more than just the physical or mental elements. There is also a system of spiritual energies that helps our body and mind to function at their best in connection to our surroundings. This system of spiritual energies is based on chakras.  

Chakra is a Sanskrit word that translates to wheel or cycle. It refers to the nine major energy centres in your body situated along the spinal cord to the crown of the head. The spiritual or healing energy, also known as the force of life, flows through these nine energy centres to keep your physical, mental, and emotional states balanced.  

The Seven Major Chakras of the Human Body

Each of the nine chakras corresponds to particular physical, mental, or emotional aspects. Seven of these chakras are briefly explained below:

  • The root chakra called Muladhara is located at the base of your spine. It regulates the flow of energy through our sciatic nerves and the parasympathetic nervous system, affecting how we connect to our surroundings.
  • The sacral chakra called Svadhishthana is situated below the belly button. It regulates the feelings of creativity, pleasure, and adaptability. Instability in this chakra may lead to emotional outbursts or cause a lack of creativity.
  • The solar plexus chakra called Manipura is somewhere between the ribcage and the navel. Physically, it corresponds to the digestive system. Mentally, it controls the feelings of self-esteem and confidence.
  • The heart chakra, known as Anahata, is located in the middle of the chest. It corresponds to the heart and lungs and influences your emotions towards others. With a balanced heart chakra, you develop positive emotions toward your professional and personal relationships, like love and compassion. If unbalanced, it can make you feel negative emotions toward others, like anger, jealousy, lack of trust, etc.
  • The throat chakra, called Vishuddha, controls the parts of the throat area, like the nose, tongue, mouth, neck, and throat. It impacts your immunity and the ability to express yourself verbally.
  • Ajna, the third eye chakra, is situated between the eyebrows. It corresponds to your intuition, also called inner wisdom. Any blockage in this chakra is likely to cause headaches and blurry vision.
  • The crown chakra known as Sahastrara is at the crown of your head. It controls how you perceive yourself and the world. An imbalanced crown chakra may lead to feelings of depression, detachment, and frustration.

The Art of Balancing Your Chakras

You feel at your best when the energy flows through your chakras freely. But if that energy gets blocked or disturbed due to internal or external stressors, it may trigger unfavourable physical, mental, and emotional symptoms. 

Techniques like Yoga and Tai chi remove the blocks and imbalances from your chakras, ensuring the free flow of healing energy throughout your body. 

How Do Yoga and Tai Chi Ensure Long-Term Health?

Numerous workout regimes and fads come and go each year, but mind-body practices like yoga and tai chi have stood strong since ancient times. 

Most fitness regimes and fads focus on improving your overall health as quickly as possible. But practices like yoga and tai chi build strength, awareness, and harmony in your mind and body to keep you healthy over the long term.

Yoga for Long-Term Mobility

Contrary to what some people think, yoga doesn’t mean twisting your body beyond comprehension! You don’t need to be extra flexible to do yoga. Instead, yoga helps you become more flexible over time with the help of breathing exercises, meditation, and physical poses suitable for your body.

Another popular myth is that bending or forcing your body into certain yoga poses often leads to back pain. But the truth is yoga can alleviate back pain in the long run by teaching you proper alignment and helping you maintain good posture. 

Some easy yoga poses for alleviating lower back and joint pain include cat or cow stretch, standing forward fold, bridge pose, and opposite hands and knees balance.

Since there are many different yoga practices, anyone can try them to achieve sustainable health. Yoga poses can be modified depending on the practitioner's size, age, and fitness level. The end goal is to test your limits and tune in with your mind and body.

Tai Chi for Long-Term Mobility

Originally considered a martial art, Tai Chi refers to an ancient Chinese practice of performing relaxed movements with a clear yet focused mental state. It is also popularly called ‘meditation in motion’ and ‘Shadowboxing.’

Tai Chi training involves the following: 

  • Solo hand and weapon routines
  • Breathing, movement, and awareness exercises
  • Striking techniques
  • Push Hands Drills

Although Tai Chi involves slow and gentle movements, it is known to enhance muscle strength, flexibility, and balance. Since meditation is integral to Tai Chi, it also provides practitioners with immense mental health benefits. 

Besides these mind-body techniques, supplements like Flexeze Plus are also known to enhance mobility. Flexeze Plus by the Good Vitamin Company contains Glucosamine and chondroitin that act as natural anti-inflammatories to support healthy cartilage, bone, and joint function. A single bottle of these supplements contains 60 tablets; you can take one tablet after breakfast and one tablet after the evening meal daily to relieve joint aches and knee pain. But don’t forget that food supplements can never replace a healthy diet. Make sure you have good food in conjunction with these supplements.