Although tai chi is technically an ancient Chinese martial art, in practice it is more art than martial. In tai chi, you perform a series of flowing, slow movements linked with specific breathing patterns. Since it doesn’t create a lot of stress on the joints, and the movements can be modified, it’s a great choice for individuals with physical challenges, who are older, or who need a gentler introduction to exercise than the local gym’s turbo kickboxing class.
Recently, researchers from the University of South Florida and Fudan University in Shanghai studied people who practiced tai chi three times a week. They found that their brains increased in size, compared to those who didn’t. Further, people who practiced tai chi did better on memory and learning tests.
Research on tai chi has found it to be helpful for mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression, as well as for physical ailments, such as arthritis and hyper- tension (high blood pressure). Tai chi is great for balance training, flexibility, and relaxation. Because you must learn a series of complex physical movements, practicing tai chi helps keep your brain flexible. For a low-impact exercise, tai chi has a high impact on the brain.