Tai Chi Can Reduce Anxiety

Tai Chi, the ancient Chinese form of self-defense, is so popular that even insurance companies' TV commercials show people performing these graceful moves. By now I'm guessing everyone knows that it can reduce stress, especially if done on a regular basis.

But other studies are showing that there are many benefits to incorporating this type of exercise into your daily routine.

In a recent article by Mayo Clinic. com, research has shown that tai chi may offer numerous benefits including:

• Reducing anxiety and depression
• Improving balance and coordination
• Reducing the number of falls
• Improving sleep quality, such as staying asleep longer at night and feeling more alert during the day
• Slowing bone loss in women after menopause
• Lowering blood pressure
• Improving cardiovascular fitness
• Relieving chronic pain
• Improving everyday physical functioning

I can personally vouch for the relaxation effect. For the first few days after my first Tai Chi class the world was a peaceful and pleasant place to me as I floated through every crisis that arose. My family actually became alarmed at my lackadaisical attitude.