Exercise/Breathing

Tai Chi Boosts Immunity

They must have known something in twelfth century China that we are only learning through our clinical studies today.

An article in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society stated that sixteen weeks of Tai Chi classes provided less risk for developing shingles (aka ,Herpes Zoster virus). Both the Tai Chi students and the controls received a shot of vaccine but those who practiced this ancient Chinese martial art and dance form built stronger immunity.

Despite being novices, the Tai Chi students also showed significant improvements in measures of physical performance, mental health and sense of energy. It is quite possible that other forms of exercises could be equally valuable, however, past studies in the elderly have demonstrated Tai Chi to be superior to aerobics or walking.

It has been twenty years since Herb Benson, MD published -The Relaxation Response-. Clinical studies continue to inform us that relaxation (i.e., stimulation of your parasympathetic nervous system–not the fight-or-flight sympathetic response) is a vital antidote for our stress-filled lives.

Thus, century old anecdotes may lead to modern antidotes.