Scatty.com

Author: scatty

5 Fundamentals For Troubleshooting Your Relationship

Posted on by scatty

A long-term relationship can be one of the most satisfying experiences in the world, but it can also be incredibly challenging. Most couples go through periods where they don’t get along or their relationship just doesn’t feel as close as it used to be. Don’t despair — there are ways to troubleshoot your relationship.  

1. Open yourself to being vulnerable.

A successful relationship requires you to be open to the other person. This can be hard if you have been hurt in the past. When you’ve been hurt, your natural instinct is to protect yourself. You shut down lines of communication, and you become defensive.

If you want to heal your relationship, you need to be willing to be vulnerable. This can feel very scary. You may feel like you’re opening yourself to pain. But that’s essential if you want to foster a connection with your partner. 

2. Extend compassion to your partner.

Just as you may feel scared or hurt, your partner may also feel scared or hurt. You need to extend them compassion if you want to improve your relationship. This is the person you love. You need to treat them kindly and gently. 

Imagine your partner throughout their life. Imagine the ways they have been hurt. Think about how they could have been loved more during their life. Become the person who gives your partner the unconditional love that they have always deserved during their life.  

3. Get ready to compromise. 

Relationships involve two people. Regardless of how much you have in common, there will be times when you disagree on things. To make your relationship work, you need to be willing to compromise. This rule applies to both big and small situations. 

Compromise also comes into play with how you interact with each other. If your partner snaps at you, don’t snap back. Instead, internally acknowledge that they may be having a rough day or might be a bit stressed, and then, respond with kindness and compassion. This type of compromise can help you avoid unnecessary arguments. 

4. Practice intimacy.

Your primary relationship is the most intimate relationship in your life. You need to nurture intimacy if you want this relationship to be successful. Keep in mind that intimacy takes a lot of different forms. 

To foster emotional intimacy, listen actively and make eye contact while your partner talks. Focus on what they’re saying, not how you want to respond. 

Also, make sure that you display physical attention. When relationships are suffering emotionally, they typically suffer physically as well. Take a walk and hold hands. Touch each other gently while watching TV or relaxing. Set aside dedicated times to explore each other and rekindle your relationship in the bedroom. Be patient. This process can take time, especially if you’ve been struggling for a while. 

5. Have fun.

Relationships can take work, but they should be fun. Remember why you got together? A lot has probably changed since then. You and your partner have gone through all kinds of life events and experienced ups and downs both individually and as a couple. Revisit experiences that you enjoyed when you first got together. Or explore new hobbies. Find ways to have fun with each other. 

5 Principles All Good Club DJs Know

Posted on by scatty

Once upon a time, DJs or disc jockey’s played music on radios all over the world. Today, it is a career option that spans music publishing, clubs, and even mobile work like weddings and other significant events. But, like any profession, there are some principles that all DJs should follow, like these five. 

1. Be Willing to Adapt

It is one of the guiding principles of being a good DJ. You don’t always know what you will get at a venue or what might impact your show. DJs need to be able and willing to adapt to the various situations as they come. 

That might mean being willing to play music outside your genre and to listen to what your audience is telling you they want to hear. It may also mean taking breaks in the show based on what the host or venue needs as opposed to the DJ’s personal preference. 

2. Learn to Read the Room

The job is entertainment, and for that to be effective, DJs must be able to read the room. Well-known DJ Argy calls this a necessity. He states that a good DJ can walk into a room and know exactly what is happening within five minutes. 

They need to be able to judge the mood of the people in the room, develop an understanding of their insecurities and look for ways to make them feel good. It could be the difference between having a regular gig and never working again. 

3. Check Your Ego at the Door

DJing is an art form, and like all artists, some DJs let their egos get in the way of pleasing the audience and making good music. Choose cohesive music that will play well in the room. If you love a mix, but the quality is poor, it will not sound good when played. 

It’s not about playing just what you like, it is about pleasing the audience, and that means putting together tracks that make sense and that play well. And if they ask you to change your music, suck it up and do what it takes to keep the audience dancing. 

4. Invest in Your Craft

Treat being a DJ like you would any startup business. As you make money, put it back into your company.  For DJs, that often means buying better equipment. You won’t get top gigs with cheap, poor-quality equipment. 

Once you get the top-of-the-line equipment, keep investing. You might put that money into marketing, for example. Consider publishing mixes to grow your career and make even more money when getting the best gigs. 

5. Don’t Get Drunk

It is common for venues to offer free or discounted drinks to the DJs. After all, the more they drink, the more entertaining they can be, but maybe not in a good way. Don’t let drinking alcohol get in the way of doing your job. You want to have fun because you want your audience to have fun but know your limits. 

DJing is a profession like any other. If you want to do it well, you must know the principles for success. 

 

How To Get a High Quality Sound Setup on a Budget

Posted on by scatty

Do you want the full theater experience in your living room, but just don’t have the big bucks to make it happen? If so, you’ll love to know that there’s a way to get a high-quality sound setup on a budget. All you have to do is follow these tips to create a home theater system that promises to get your heart pumping.

Plan to Start Small 

While working with a tight budget, you’re going to have to make peace with starting small. If you do this right, you can slowly build upon your system until you have it just the way you want it.

To take the right approach, start with a used 5.1 or 7.1 receiver. These receivers allow you to run five to seven speaker channels, respectively. You will only operate it as a 2.1 system to start, however.

A 2.1 sound system has:

  • One receiver
  • Two tower or bookshelf speakers
  • A single subwoofer  

Your receiver serves as the brains of your sound setup. This device allows you to set up multiple speakers across many channels while improving their sound quality.  

Tower and bookshelf speakers feature all the initial tweeters, mid-range speakers, and bass drivers you need for your left and right channels. The subwoofer sends big bass rocking through the room, adding punch to every tense scene.   

Buy Used Equipment  

Many people upgrade their sound systems as soon as the newest features come out, landing their original setups in the used marketplace. So, to get the best brands without paying big money, you’ll want to buy used whenever possible.

To find high-quality used home theater equipment, look at:

  • Thrift stores
  • Consignment shops
  • Pawn shops

Try to avoid online marketplaces since you cannot test out the receivers and speakers before you buy them. If you cannot avoid shopping online, look for a solid return policy and be ready to send the items back if they don’t fit the bill.

Select Good Brands

Even though you’re working with a tight budget, you still need to select trusted audio brands. Otherwise, your sound quality will suffer.

For receivers, you’ll ideally want to find Denon, Onkyo, or Yamaha. Speaker brands you can trust include Edifier, Klipsch, and Polk. As for subwoofers, look for Dayton, Kanto, and Bic.

Set Up Your Initial System

Upon selecting all your equipment, it’s time to assemble your budget audio system. Put your speaker on an open shelf right beneath your TV. Make sure that you have room to run your speaker wire and other cords. Also, give the receiver lots of breathing room to ensure it doesn’t get too hot.

Then, put the tower or bookshelf speakers on either side of the receiver. Run the speaker wires to the correct channels to have the sound come at you from the right sides. After that, you just have to hook up your subwoofer and put it in the corner of the room to further amplify its output.

Pick Up Centers and Surrounds Later

Once you have your 2.1 setup running strong, use any extra funds to buy a center speaker and surround speakers. As the name implies, the center speaker goes right between your two tower or bookshelf speakers.

If you’re running a 5.1 system, the surround sound speakers go just past your seating position and get angled toward you. A 7.1 system allows you to add two more speakers behind your seating area. All your surround sound speakers should sit at about ear level for the best results.

Although this might sound like a big undertaking, building your own system allows you to get the highest quality setup without a huge initial expense. If you want to avoid all that work, go with a moderately priced home theater in a box with a 7.1 receiver. Then, you can build on it later if you want. 

Understanding Your Skin Type

Posted on by scatty

Your skin can make up to 15% of your body weight, and a lot of people forget that it’s the body’s largest organ. Not only does your skin kind of keep things like your muscles, bones, and other organs all held together, but it’s also the key factor in regulating your body’s temperature. 

 

Your skin is also full of nerves, which is important for us humans to feel and touch things too. 

 

Needless to say, your skin is a pretty important part of your body, but not all skin is the same.  

 

There are actually five different skin types and the more you understand what type of skin you have, the better you can take care of it and keep it healthy.

 

Normal

 

Normal skin is what it sounds like. It’s not too dry, it’s not too oily, and it functions, looks, and feels the way it’s supposed to. People with normal skin do not tend to have dermatological issues, their skin is clear from blemishes and other irritations. 

 

Normal skin is smooth and generally just needs a minor level of cleanliness, attention, and care. 

 

Dry

 

People who have dry skin tend to be more susceptible to factors like climate, weather, elevation, and dehydration. Things like a dry environment, low air humidity, or high elevation can cause skin to dry out at an alarmingly fast rate, causing physical cracking and even bleeding if not addressed immediately. 

 

People who are in certain jobs that expose them to chemicals, hot water, or constant washing of hands will also notice their skin becoming drier and drier if they are not careful. All of these factors strip away natural skin oil meant to protect the skin from drying out. 

 

Dry skin is itchy as well and often feels tight and rough to the touch. 

 

If you suffer from dry skin, physical hydration is key both in terms of water consumption and additional moisturizing throughout the day. If you deal with hot water or chemicals, wearing protective gloves might also help.  

 

Oily

 

Oily skin is typically genetic, but it is also connected to age and puberty. Excessive skin oil is caused by sebaceous glands’ overproduction, and people with oily skin tend to battle acne more so than others. 

 

Someone with oily skin can physically feel a sheen or layer of oil on areas like their face, for example, and their skin tends to be shinier. People with oily skin tend to need hygiene products that help dry their skin out and need to be more aware of washing away dirt and grime to avoid things becoming trapped in their pores which leads to breakouts. 

 

Oily/Dry

 

A combination of oily/dry skin means that certain areas deal with the dry features discussed in #2 while others deal with the oily features in #3. 

 

People with combination skin need to have a skincare routine that is different based on the area being addressed as the relief for dry skin is not the relief for oily skin and vice versa. 

 

Typically, if you have a combination of oily/dry skin you will notice patches of dry areas and areas that are excessively oily. You might also notice that your skin pores vary in size based on the location on your body, in particular your face. 

 

Sensitive

 

Sensitive skin is also genetic, but it can be caused by external factors such as medication. 

 

This type of skin is extremely susceptible to irritation, redness, and other dermatological issues like blotchy skin, itchy sections, rashes, eczema, and even allergy-like symptoms.  

 

People with sensitive skin often need specific body and hygiene products that are free of chemicals and certain ingredients. They also might need special detergents for fabric, clothes, and sheets. 

Skin Health

 

While skin type is primarily determined by your genetics, there are other factors that affect how your skin looks, feels, and functions:

  • Hygiene Habits
  • Hydration
  • Moisturizing Habits
  • Exposure to Sun
  • Exposure to Chemicals
  • Diet
  • Hormones
  • Medication 

It’s also recommended to schedule routine appointments with a licensed Dermatologist to ensure that you have the correct skin hygiene routine in place. 

 

 

 

5 Best New Labor-Saving Technologies

Posted on by scatty

In our modern world of rapid technological progress, labor-saving technologies that can replace anywhere from one worker to multiple workers are being implemented across numerous industries daily.

We will explore some of the best new labor-saving technologies and innovations quickly becoming mainstream and bringing significant enhancements in productivity, efficiency, and reduced costs to businesses worldwide.

With these technologies, what used to take multiple individuals and a great deal of time to plan and execute can now be streamlined into an automated process or simplified workflow. From QR codes to robotics in farming and agriculture, there’s no doubt these labor-saving technologies will continue to expand and develop in the near future. 

1. QR Codes

QR codes have taken the restaurant industry by storm, gaining immediate momentum after the 2020 pandemic shut down thousands of restauranteurs and forced them to reinvent themselves.

With QR codes, restaurants can reduce the number of servers they need on staff to handle an increasing number of patrons, turn tables quicker, get more tips, increase the average spend per customer, and save time and money in the process.

Instead of waiting for their server to retrieve the check and process their payment method, QR codes give restaurant customers the ability to scan the code on their mobile device, split the check if necessary, add a tip, and pay in under a minute. 

2. Smart Factories

Since the industrial revolution, factories have followed a consistent and predictable shift schedule where workers would operate machinery, perform quality control, and ensure the factory is in working condition in order to meet product quotas.

In our modern world, manufacturers and factories are able to reduce human error, increase output, and save on labor and costs through the use of smart factories.

Smart factories are manufacturing centers where machinery is fully automated, and robotic technology with sensors is used to monitor production lines from start to finish. Rather than having hundreds of employees working and operating machinery, smart factories only require a few workers to oversee their automated production lines. 

3. Augmented Reality (AR)

Augmented reality (AR) is a labor-saving technology that simplifies how companies execute their training programs and how they give demonstrations to customers or stakeholders.

In the past, training a new employee would take a business many months, tying up experienced employees in training and onboarding and requiring a training budget. This was even more difficult for jobs where complex systems and processes were taught, ones that required absolute precision on the part of the employee.

With AR, companies can now do all the work upfront and create a comprehensive training solution that an employee can follow using augmented reality. They follow a visual training program that shows them the systems, components, and processes they’re working with, cutting down significantly on training costs. 

4. Robotics in Farming & Agriculture

Labor-saving technology in the farming and agriculture industries has significantly reduced the number of workers required to harvest crops and process them for consumption.

With combine harvesters, GIS-based harvesting, soil and water sensors, weather tracking, and farming automation, farmers can do the same amount of work as an army of workers just a few short decades ago. 

5. 3D & 4D Printing

When a manufacturer or engineering company needs to create a new part, a precision machinist with the skills to turn an engineering drawing into that part is required.

Since 3D and 4D printing came about, those machinists can now be replaced by printers that construct parts layer by layer, saving on labor and costs in the process.

With 3D printing, solid material is layered until a part is produced. With 4D printing, objects are “printed” from advanced materials that perform different functions or change shape when interacting with light, heat, or hot water. 

5 Tips for Making the Best Shrimp Boil

Posted on by scatty

While a shrimp boil is a common spring or summer dish, you can also prepare it during the winter and fall months. A shrimp boil has plenty of seasonings. The meat you use depends on where you are from. Many people make it with andouille, but kielbasa is also a common sausage. Some people find that the kielbasa gives the shrimp boil a fuller flavor.

Choosing the Shrimp

While fresh shrimp is best, you can use frozen shrimp if fresh isn’t available. The shrimp should be brightly colored and should not smell like ammonia. The shells should not be slimy. If you are using whole shrimp, cut the heads off. Leave the peels on. The best size shrimp to use is 16/20 as they are easy to peel but not so big that they are tough. They also have the perfect flavor and texture.

Shrimp Boil Ingredients

Instead of providing the spice and butter for dipping, combine the spice with the butter for a tasty combination of flavors. Soften the butter, then mix it with the spices. Set the mixture aside until the shrimp boil is done cooking. Mix it with the clarified butter just before adding it to the shrimp boil.

Ingredients in a standard shrimp boil include:

  • Celery
  • Yellow onions
  • Red bell peppers
  • Shrimp
  • Sausage
  • Corn-on-the-cob, but into halves or thirds

Add the shrimp last once all the other ingredients are cooked. Continue cooking until the shrimp turn orange or pink (depending on the type you use).

Spices that Explode the Taste Buds

Depending on how you were taught to make a shrimp boil, you might use different spices. This combination of spices makes a shrimp boil that will cause your taste buds to explode:

  • Old Bay seasoning (add to the pot when cooking).
  • Salt (add to the pot when cooking).

Mix 2 tablespoons of blackened fish seasoning (Badia redfish seasoning has a good spicy kick), 2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast and 3 tablespoons of hot sauce until well blended. Add 1 tablespoon softened salted butter and mix it thoroughly. Add the mixture to ¾ cup of clarified unsalted butter and mix it until the softened butter melts.

Set the mixture aside until the shrimp boil is done cooking.

How to Serve the Shrimp Boil

Some people serve the shrimp boil right from the pot, but if you get a wide serving bowl or tray that will hold the entire boil, including the liquid, it’s easier to mix the butter mixture in. Dump the shrimp boil into the bowl, then pour the butter mixture over the top. Gently mix the butter and ingredients together.

A shrimp boil for four takes about 2 ½ gallons of water, so the serving tray or bowl should be large enough to hold that plus the clarified butter.

Provide Sides

Make another batch or two of the butter (depending on the number of people you are serving) so that you can serve the butter and spice mix on the side. Add plates of lemon wedges for those who like to squeeze lemon over their shrimp boil. And, don’t forget the beer!

How to Increase Your Credit Score

Posted on by scatty

What three digits define your finances? Your credit score. And if you want to take the road to financial independence, you better get a handle on this number now. It’s your key to getting the most value for your money.

Red Carpet Treatment or Service Exit?

A credit score close to the 850 max gets you the red carpet treatment when it comes to credit, loans, rent, or any kind of payment. You get the lowest interest rate, the easiest payment schedule, and the fewest restrictions.

One from 579 to the 300 bottom leads you to the service exit. Lenders won’t even want to talk to you let alone extend you any kind of credit.

Getting your score as high as possible should be a top financial goal.

What’s Your Number?

Credit scores vary slightly by provider. You can find yours for free from Credit Karma. You’ll need to create a usercode and password, but you won’t need a credit card. This service shows the credit scores from two of the three major credit bureaus, Equifax and TransUnion.

If you don’t want to log into an unknown website, you may also be able to get your credit score from your credit card company.

Checking Your Report

Your credit report is just as important as your score because creditors use this document to judge your financial activities and credit situation.

  • It contains personal information, such as all your names, social security number, phone number, birthdate, and current and former addresses.
  • It details all your credit accounts including mortgage, student loan, credit cards, and payment plans, what’s owed on each, your payment history, and any collection efforts.
  • It stores public records, such as bankruptcies, foreclosures, liens, and civil judgments.

You can get your credit report from Credit Karma. However, you should check the ones offered by the two previously mentioned credit bureaus and the third, Experian. By law, you can receive one report from each for free once a year. If you check one company’s report every four months, you get a constant read of how your finances are doing.

Study the credit report for any mistakes, which can affect your credit score. Tell the credit bureau in writing what’s wrong. They must report back to you how they are investigating your dispute, which may include updating or removing the invalid info.

Raising the Score

The most effective way to raise your credit score is to pay your bills on time or before they’re due. For maximum convenience, set up automatic payments, which guarantees you’ll never be late.

Pay off your existing balances. The less debt you have, then the more likely that merchants will extend credit because you’ll have the money to pay. If you have trouble juggling payments for several creditors, consolidate them into one credit card, which may offer a period of free interest.

Limit how often you apply for credit at once. When you do, providers do a hard inquiry on you finances, which can ding your credit score. If you have to apply for additional credit, make sure you have a varied credit mix that includes installment loans, a mortgage account, and revolving debt, such as in a credit card.

5 Fundamentals of Cooking Steak

Posted on by scatty

You found some great-looking steaks on sale and snapped them up. Your mouth is watering just thinking about cooking them. However, when you cook them, they are tough and do not have a great taste. You wonder what you’ve done wrong. These five fundamentals of cooking steak will ensure you have a great steak every time.

1. The Cut Matters

If you buy a cheap cut of steak, it is not going to taste as good as a good cut. To make a great steak, you need to start with a good base – a good cut of steak. Ribeye and the fillet are the best cuts, but they are also the most expensive. The next best cuts are the T-bone and the New York strip, though the New York strip can be tough and tasteless if the butcher doesn’t cut it correctly.

2. The Breed Matters

If you have never had Angus beef, you don’t know what you are missing. If you don’t believe this, buy an Angus ribeye and a regular ribeye and cook them the same way. The Angus will have more flavor. While the beef is more flavorful, the biggest difference is that it has more marbling. People often request butchers to cut off all the fat, but that is the worst thing you can do to any cut of meat, especially the cheaper cuts.

The fat is what helps tenderize the steak. It also gives it more flavor as it melts into the meat during cooking. Angus beef typically has more marbling than most other breeds.

3. The Cooking Process

How you cook a steak has more to do with the taste than adding spices, though spices can certainly help. Some steaks are better on the grill, such as the New York strip. At the same time, you can get a great-tasting steak in a frying pan with the pricier cuts. Regardless of whether you are using a grill or a frying pan, always cook your steaks on medium-high heat. You must keep an eye on them – a good steak is not one you can walk away from.

When cooking in a frying pan, add half tablespoon butter and half tablespoon oil – the butter will burn if you use only butter. For an even tastier steak, use a tablespoon of rendered bacon fat. Make sure you get the pan and oil hot before you put your steak in it.

Cook the steak to the desired doneness, flipping it only once. If you like your steak rare, you can pick it up with tongs and hold the sides of the steak to the bottom of the pan to brown the sides.

4. Choose the Appropriate Level of Doneness

Any steak cooked more than medium will have less flavor and be tougher, except for the cheapest cuts – and those should only go in the crockpot for several hours. Fillets and ribeyes are best when they are blue rare to medium rare. To achieve blue rare, make sure the pan and your choice of oil or lard are very hot. Using tongs, place the steak in the pan. Cook it for about 2 to 2.5 minutes, then flip it. The pan (or grill) should be hot enough to sear the outside in 2 minutes. The color should be golden brown with darker brown ripples. The inside will be very red and somewhat warm.

5. Choose the Spices

You do not need anything more than a little salt and pepper for a good cut of steak, but if you prefer a different taste, you can use any of the various rubs on the market, or you can make your own. A rub with a great flavor, especially for pan frying, includes salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and Badia Redfish Seasoning. 

The Insider’s Guide: 5 Ways to Get to Know the Real Malaysia

Posted on by scatty

Malaysia offers an eclectic mix of foods, festivals, scenery and much more. In addition to urban adventures in dynamic cities like Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia boasts breathtaking beaches, ancient rainforests, and some of the world’s most astonishing wildlife.

There are endless things to see and do in this extraordinary country. Read on for a roundup of five ways to take it all in on your visit to Malaysia.

1. Soak in Some Sun

Tourists aren’t the only ones who flock to the soft sands and crystal clear waters of Malaysia’s stunning beaches. Lounging on the beach is a way of life for many locals.

If you’re looking for some recreation alongside your relaxation, Malaysia is also home to world-class snorkeling and other water sports. Sipadan Island, Langkawi Island, and Perhentian Island are just a few examples of the country’s phenomenal snorkeling spots.

2. Indulge in the Local Cuisine

Given its melting pot of influences, it’s not surprising that Malaysia lays claim to a vast array of truly delicious dishes.

Malaysians are passionate about their food, and we can’t think of a better way to discover everything the country has to offer than by sampling cuisine like nasi lemak, nasi kerabu, beef rendang, assam laksa, curry laksa, bak kut teh, roti canai, and many others.

Whether you’re in the mood for fine dining or street food, be sure to bring your appetite.

3. Prepare to Party

Kuala Lumpur more than earns its reputation as a city that doesn’t sleep. While many people assume that KL’s majority Muslim population means it has inferior nightlife, this couldn’t be further from the truth. You’ll find everything from glittering nightclubs to swanky speakeasies in Changkat Bukit Bintang, AKA the “Times Square of Kuala Lumpur.”

A few of our favorite places to experience Malaysia’s capital city by night? Heli Lounge Bar, The Locker & Loft, and the Roof Stratosphere.

If partying isn’t your style, the city also comes alive at bustling night markets like Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, the Taman Connaught Market, OUG Pasar Malam, and the Klang Lama Night Market.

4. Experience Alor Setar

While  Langkawi may get top billing with tourists, we recommend adding Alor Setar to your itinerary. Not only will you find a cosmopolitan city showcasing traditional shophouses, stunning Islamic architecture, and cultural landmarks like Zahir Mosque, the Royal Hall, the Yellow Palace, and Big Clock Tower, you’ll also enjoy it without the crowds of Langkawi.

A slight way up the coast from Alor Setar is the bustling fishing port of Kuala Kedah, home to northern Malaysia’s oldest fort ruins and a seafood lover’s paradise.

5. Unwind in KLCC Park

Hailed as the “Central Park of Kuala Lumpur,” this 50-acre green area—a destination for locals and tourists alike—features more than 1,900 indigenous trees.

Located in the center of the city in the shadow of the Petronas Twin Towers, KLCC Park offers epic skyline views, a manmade lake featuring an entrancing lake symphony, and a playground and children’s swimming area. Did we mention everything at KLCC Park is free?

5 Unbelievable Facts About Tai Chi

Posted on by scatty

People might describe Tai Chi as exercise, an art form, a mood elevator, or a martial discipline. Indeed, this old and fascinating discipline can improve physical and mental health, allow personal expression, teach fighting techniques, and much more. 

Five Unbelievable Facts About Tai Chi 

To discover more about this popular and compelling discipline, explore these five unbelievable facts about Tai Chi. 

Fact 1: Millions of People Practice Tai Chi WorldWide 

Almost 300 million people practice this martial art. Most Tai Chi practitioners come from the art’s country of origin, China. However, it also enjoys popularity worldwide, with about 2.5 million in the US. This artform’s accessibility may explain its popularity. For instance, many people practice a slow style that offers low-impact exercise for practitioners of all ages and fitness levels. 

Fact 2: Even Very Old People Can Practice Tai Chi 

Popular Tai Chi styles rely on slow and repetitive movements and a focus on form and breathing. These characteristics make Tai Chi an excellent way for older folks to maintain their mental and physical health. For instance, Iggy Pop practices Tai Chi in his seventies. He says partying made him feel good at 21, just like Tai Chi improves his mood and fitness today. 

Fact 3: Tai Chi Offers an Effective Martial Art 

For many, the mention of this discipline conjures images of older adults performing slow, deliberate movements to exercise and relax. Today, most people rely on it for exercise, but Tai Chi originated as an effective martial art. The martial discipline relies on using an opponent’s energy against them. Some styles rely on faster movements and may even include weapons. The original Chinese symbol translates into English as Supreme Ultimate Fist. 

Fact 4: Tai Chi Works on Bones, Joints, and Internal Organs 

Tai Chi movements don’t just help tone muscles and improve balance. They also gently massage internal organs, which Traditional Chinese Medicine considers powerful therapy. The exercises can also help release calcium deposits in bones and joints, strengthening bodies and relieving pain or stiffness.

Fact 5: A Professional Dancer First Demonstrated Tai Chi in the USA 

Sophia Delza, a dancer, held the first American demonstration of Tai Chi in 1954 at New York City’s Museum of Modern Art. After her demo, she offered to teach classes for students who wanted to learn more and improve their health. Ms. Delza also wrote the first English-language book on Tai Chi, published in 1961. 

Is Tai Chi Hard to Learn?

Mastering Tai Chi can take years, decades, or even a lifetime. At the same time, students can learn basic moves and begin to enjoy benefits very quickly.