Tai Chi, anyone?

Samiamy2k

I've been interested in Tai Chi since living in student housing with a group of Chinese and Taiwanese students years ago. It looks so peaceful and they swear by it for exercise, but it strikes me a closer to stretching than cardio. Any thoughts? I don't know enough to really make a call on this, observing only.

2Keiko

Not so much cardio as the west would have it, but definitely weight bearing! Depending on which style you study. Chen style has moderately high and low stances, an excellent leg workout. Think of supporting your body weight on one leg as you execute a maneuver with the other in slow motion. Now that's a real slow burn! As you become accustomed to the correct stances, you'll find that your thighs will be bearing most of your weight.

You are right about the stretching - it is based on stretching and breathing exercises with martial applications for the most efficient use of body power.