Tai chi has been linked to numerous health benefits, including improvements in the quality of life of breast cancer patients and Parkinson's sufferers. treating sleep problems and to Reduce blood pressure .
A recent study found that tai chi promotes balance, flexibility, cardiovascular fitness, and strength.
According to U.S. News & World Report:
in 85 percent of trials, tai chi lowered blood pressure. Other studies have shown it to reduce blood levels of B-type natriuretic peptide, a precursor of heart failure, and to maintain bone density in postmenopausal women."
If you're looking for a gentle, mind-body activity to add to your fitness routine, tai chi is a phenomenal choice. A form of Chinese martial arts, tai chi is an ancient form of self-defense that is said to support the balance of "yin and yang" in your body, thereby improving the flow of "qi," or life energy.
Reduce blood pressure with Tai Chi:
Often described as "meditation in motion" or "moving meditation," the activity takes your body through a specific set of graceful movements. Your body is constantly in motion and each movement flows right into the next.
While practicing tai chi, your mind is meant to stay focused on your movements, relaxation and deep breathing, while distracting thoughts are ignored. More than 2 million Americansh ave already taken up this ancient art form, and you might want to join them once you learn about all of its benefits.
Tai Chi's Impressive Health Benefits
Tai chi has been linked to a wide array of benefits for virtually everyone who does it, from kids to seniors and all ages in between. Part of the allure is that it's so gentle, it's an ideal form of activity for people with pain or other conditions that prevent more vigorous exercise. You can even do tai chi if you're confined to a wheelchair.
In one of the newest studies, those who practiced tai chi gained improvements in balance, strength, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness. They also improved nearly as much as a strength-training group in both lower-body and arm strength. This gentle exercise has also been found to reduce blood pressure in about 85 percent of trials reviewed, while offering benefits for pain, stress and anxiety, too.
Other noted benefits include
Improvements in physicalcondition,muscle strength, coordination, and flexibility
Further research has also found that after 12 weeks of tai chi,
High Blood Pressure did significantly better in measurements of pain, fatigue, physical functioning, sleeplessness and depression as well.
Respected conventional health institutions such as the Mayo Clinic and recommend Tai Chi for its health benefits, especially as a Stress-reduction tool.
Reduce blood pressure with Tai Chi,
However, there are more studies available than you might think; suggesting Tai Chi has an impressive range of health benefits.
Meditation in Motion
Tai chi is described as "meditation in motion" because your mind stays focused on your movements and remains in the present moment. This not only helps you reduce stress and anxiety, but it also offers similar benefits to meditation.
Reduce blood pressure.
Meditation has the power to actually alter the way your mind works by strengthening the areas of your brain and memory. When you're better able to focus and concentrate, you can perform routine tasks quickly and efficiently, leaving yourself with the time and energy you need to take on new goals and challenges.
Rather than doing the same things the same way, with the same mindset and the same disappointing results, meditation allows you to set the stage for the changes you want to make in your life.
But, like tai chi, meditation also offers benefits on a physical level. A new study found that mindfulness meditation, which involves focusing on your breathing and clearing your mind of worrying, judgmental thoughts can reduce your perceptions of pain by 57 percent
What's more, this benefit came from just four days of meditation! So you needn't be a meditation master to expect to see results. Past studies have also linked Try Meditation-to-Reduce blood pressure, and-Protect-Your-Heart. meditation to a host of health improvements including helping to relieve:
You can also try meditation, to lower Blood Pressure
To test your meditation wings, sit quietly, perhaps put on some soothing music, and close your eyes. Breathe rhythmically and focus -- on your breathing, a flower, an image, a candle, a mantra or even just being in the moment. If you find that your mind starts to wander, direct it back to your focus point and continue from there.
Reduce blood pressure with Tai Chi and Meditation,
Ideally, set aside 15-20 minutes a day to practice meditation. You can also try it in shorter segments, but ultimately try to work your way up to 20 minutes. Remember, Tai Chi can also act as a form of meditation, so if you're just starting out and don't feel you have time for both, you can use your tai chi as your meditation session.