Yoga has long been touted as a practice that offers great benefits for the mind, body, and spirit. But, with all these known benefits, there are still some people that aren’t drinking the kool-aid.
If you’ve tried yoga and didn’t enjoy it, or simply don’t find the idea of it appealing, here are 5 other mind/body exercises that you might want to consider.
1. Tai Chi
Tai Chi is a soft, gentle martial arts practice of Chinese origin that emphasizes balance, concentration, and fluid movements. Although it’s technically a martial art, it’s non-contact, so your focus will instead be on your own slow, repeated, and meditative movements.
Harvard Medical School has reported that Tai Chi helps to build strength, flexibility, and balance. It may benefit medical conditions including arthritis, hypertension, heart disease, sleep problems, stress and anxiety, and improve the quality of life for cancer patients.
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2. Qigong
Like Tai Chi, Qigong or ‘Qi ’is a Chinese martial art that focuses on energy. Qigong is different from Tai Chi in the sense that it’s even gentler and the movements are simpler. It is more adaptive in the sense that literally anyone who can take deep breaths can practice Qigong in some form.
So if other forms of exercise are not an option for you or if your primary focus is stress reduction and relaxation, Qigong may be a perfect fit!
3. Dance
Dancing can be a wonderful way to express yourself and your feelings through bodily movements. Dance is so popular that your choices are pretty much endless, so you’ll have plenty of varieties to try until you find a class or teacher that works for you.
Although different types of dance will provide different benefits, what all dance forms have in common is the potential to integrate the body, mind, and spirit, and leave you feeling energized and transformed!
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4. Pilates
Although not always thought of as a ‘mind-body’ exercise, Pilates’ emphasis on linking the breath with movement serves to enhance the
