We recently read an article in O Magazine touting the health benefits of Tai Chi. Tai Chi can be a stress reliever as much as a low impact workout. In fact individuals who regularly participate in Tai Chi classes generally experience health benefits ranging from feeling more relaxed and refreshed to having more stamina. O Magazine pointed to a recent study at UCLA that showed that Tai Chi may actually result in even more health benefits.

Irwin and colleagues (2007) conducted an intervention with healthy adults to assess the effect of Tai Chi classes on immunity to shingles. They compared the Tai Chi participants with individuals who participated in health education classes. Both groups of adults were given the shingles vaccine 16 weeks into their respective programs. At the end of the 25-week program, the individuals who participated in Tai Chi classes had nearly twice the levels of immunity towards the shingles virus compared to the individuals who participated in health education classes.

What does this mean for you?

As we age, we experience decreases in immune responses, meaning that we become more susceptible to developing illnesses. Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese martial art that incorporates aerobic activity, relaxation, and meditation, all of which can boost immune responses.

Irwin and colleagues (2007) found that those who participated in Tai Chi classes had improved health function in multiple areas. These results suggest that this type of meditative exercise may not only provide health benefits somewhat quickly, but may also provide health benefits that could affect you farther down the road. Click here for some beginner Tai Chi exercises you can do in your own home.

Irwin, M. R., Olmstead, R., Oxman, M. N., (2007). Augmenting immune responses to varicella zoster virus in older adults: a randomized, controlled trial of tai chi. The American Geriatrics Society, 55, 511-517.

*The video link provided above is one installment of a five part video set. To get even more exposure to new Tai Chi exercises please visit the remaining four installments.