GENERAL BENEFITS:

Tai Chi teaches inner strength while toning muscles, increasing flexibility, and boosting immune power. It is also said to reduce stress, store up energy, increase body awareness and circulation, improve balance and coordination, strengthen the legs while conditioning the tendons and ligaments of the ankles, knees, and hips, increasing their range of motion and making them more resilient and less prone to injury.

Western Science recognizes the following benefits of practicing Tai Chi: increased oxygen uptake and utilization (more efficient breathing), reduced blood pressure, slower declines in cardiovascular power, increased bone density, increased strength and range of motion of joints, greater leg strength, knee strength, and flexibility, reduced levels of stress hormones during and after practice, improved immune function, and heightened mood states.

PHYSIOLOGICAL BENEFITS:

Relative to measurement beforehand, practice of Tai Chi raised heart rate, increased non-adrenaline excretion in urine, and decreased salivary cortisol concentration. Relative to baseline levels, [Test Subjects] reported less tension, depression, anger, fatigue, confusion and state-anxiety; they felt more vigorous, and in general they had less total mood disturbance. (American Psychological Association)

Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 1989 Vol 33 (2) 197-206

IMMUNE SYSTEM:

A study conducted in China indicates that Tai Chi may increase the number of T-lymphocytes in the body. Also know as T-Cells, these lymphocytes help the immune system destroy bacteria and possibly even tumor cells.

Prevention Magazine V. 42, May 90, p.14-15

MENTAL & PHYSICAL STRESS:

Mind & body exercises, such as Tai Chi are increasingly replacing high-impact aerobics, long distance running and other body punishing exercises of the 1980's ...Mind/body workouts are kinder to the joints and muscles . . reduce the tension that often contributes to the development of disease, which makes them especially appropriate for high powered, stressed out baby boomers. Unlike most conventional exercises, these forms are intended to stretch, tone, and relax the whole body instead of isolating parts ... based on a series of progressive choreographed movements coordinated with deep breathing.

Working Woman Magazine V 20 Feb. 95 p. 60-62+

BREATHING, ACHES, BLOOD PRESSURE:

..participants observed a "big increase in breathing capacity", a disappearance of backaches and neck-aches, those with high blood pressure claimed a drop of 10 to 15 mm Hg systolic at rest, and all participants claimed to have more energy in their daily work. 

Hawaii Medical Journal - Vol 51 No. 8 August 92

BALANCE:

A ten year study on aging through Harvard, Yale and Emory University determined not only that Tai Chi was superior to more technological balance therapies, but that Tai Chi reduced the risk of injury by falling by 48%. Complications from these injuries are the sixth leading cause of death in older Americans, and account for about $10 billion loss per year to the economy.

USA Today, May 1996

ARTHRITIS PATIENTS EMBRACE THE TIGER

Elderly people who have osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, may benefit from beginning a martial arts program, a new study suggests.

But no one is proposing the arthritis patients start kicking wooden boards apart. Instead, the researchers suggest Tai Chi, the 1,200-year-old practice that originated in China and consists of slow, fluid, almost meditative movements.

The recommendation came at the American College of Rheumatology annual meeting, now taking place in San Francisco. Researchers said they had compared two groups of arthritis sufferers after members of one group enrolled in a 12-week tai chi program.

The people who took up tai chi showed significant improvement, including stronger abdominal muscles and better balance.

Earlier studies have found that tai chi can help prevent falls in the elderly and may reduce blood pressure.           New York Times 11/13/01

CURES/PREVENTIONS:

Proponents claim that Tai Chi can also

(1) cure illnesses such as hypertension, asthma, and insomnia; (2) prevent arteriosclerosis and spinal deformity, and (3) shorten recovery phase from long-term illness. Results from a study by Chen Munyi (1963) with elderly Tai Chi practitioners show that this group had RTs, strength, and flexibility superior to non-practitioners. (American Psychological Association) American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 1981 Spr Vol 9(1)

MENTAL HOMEOSTASIS:

Psychological homeostasis refers to emotional control or tranquility. It has been stated that the biological function of human emotion and repression is primarily homeostatic. Evidence suggests that a feedback relationship exists between forms of homeostasis, and the body-mind type of therapies (including acupuncture and Tai Chi) thus have a combined physiological, physical, and psychological effect. (American Psychological Association)

American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 1981 Spr Vol 9

POSTURAL CONTROL:

Tai Chi, a traditional Chinese exercise, is a series of individual dance like movements linked together in a continuous, smooth-flowing sequence An analysis of variance (ANOVA) demonstrated that in 3 of 5 tests, the Tai Chi practitioners had significantly better postural control than the sedentary non practitioners.

American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 1992 Apr Vol 46 (4) 295-300

PSYCHOLOGY:

"Tai Chi is a natural and safe vehicle for both clients and staff to learn and experience the benefits of being able to channel, concentrate and coordinate their bodies and minds: to learn to relax and to "neutralize" rather than resist the stress in their personal lives. This is an ability which we greatly need to nurture in our modern fast-paced society.”

Dr. John Beaulieu, N.D., M.T.R.S. Bellevue Psychiatric Hospital, N.Y.C. [Refer to the Tai Chi book "The Supreme Ultimate" for full text]

ELDERLY:

According to Tai Chi enthusiasts, the discipline can prevent many ailments, including high blood pressure, tuberculosis, and diabetes, and US scientists agree that Tai Chi can offer some important fitness benefits, particularly for older adults.

Modern Maturity, V. 35 June/July 92 p. 60-62

CARDIORESPIRATORY EFFECTS:

Conclusion: The data substantiate that practicing Tai Chi regularly may delay the decline of cardiorespiratory function in older individuals. In addition, TC may be prescribed as a suitable aerobics exercise for older adults.

Journal of American Geriatric Society, Nov. 1995,
43 (11) p 1222-1227 ISSN 0002-8614 Journal Code: H6V

BEYOND TRADITIONAL CARE:

Health practitioners encountering clients who are faced with problems that do not seem to respond to traditional health care ... may employ some of the health traditions of other cultures and to view the body and mind as a balanced whole. Massage, acupuncture and Tai Chi ...focus on the mind/body connection to facilitate healing through relaxation, pressure points, and movement.

AAOHN Journal, 1993 July, 41 (7) 349-351

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS:

No significant exacerbation of joint symptoms using this weight bearing system of exercises (Tai Chi) was observed. Tai Chi exercises appear to be safe for RA patients...weight bearing exercises have the potential advantages of stimulating bone growth and strengthening connective tissue.

American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation,

June 1991, 70 (3) p. 136-141

TAI CHI HELPS UNDERSTAND CHANGE:

Suggests the imagery of the Tai Chi figure ... can serve as a model for understanding the processes of change within psychotherapy. The Tai Chi figure expresses the themes of unity and completeness, the dynamic of interplay and balance of opposite forces, and the cyclical nature of therapeutic change.

(American Psychological Assn.) Psychologia, An International Journal of Psychology in the Orient, 1991 Mar Vol 34 (1)

SPORTS HEALTH:

[Former] Boston Celtic's star Robert Parish, who, at age 39, is the oldest player in the NBA, credits the ancient martial art of Tai Chi with his durability. Parish remains dominant in his 17th season in the league, and he has no plans to retire. He started all 79 games that he played last year for the Celtics, averaging 14.1 points, shooting 54 percent from the field and 77 percent from the free throw line, and racking up a season total of 705 rebounds and 97 blocked shots. Inspired by his success, fellow Celtics players Reggie Lewis and Rick Fox have signed on with Li.

(Parish's Tai Chi instructor).

Gentlemen's Quarterly V. 62 Dec. 92, p 256-60 March 13, 1999