The Benefits of Chinese Internal Martial and Health Arts

By Jordan Misner

In China, the practice of combining the principles of movement with breath and mindfulness has been used to maintain health, cure chronic conditions and develop the practitioner’s overall physical and mental well-being even into advanced old age.  The two primary practices used are Tai Chi Chuan and Qi Gong, both of which extend back in time 100s and even 1000s of years, with Qi Gong being the oldest of the practices.

In recent years a substantial body of evidence based research has been published regarding the benefits of meditative movement. One study reviewed over 70 published articles on studies that demonstrated positive outcomes in nine (9) categories:

• Increases in Bone density
• Improved Cardiopulmonary effects
• Improved Physical functions
• Reduced Falls and related risk factors
•   Increasing Quality of life
• Increased Self-efficacy
• Improved Patient reported outcomes
• Improvements of Psychological symptoms
• Enhanced Immune functions

According to a University of Florida study Tai Chi Chuan practice appears to be beneficial in lowering blood glucose levels in Type II diabetics, allowing people with diabetes to better control their disease. In adults with type 2 diabetes, the study found that participants in a supervised tai chi exercise program two days per week with three days of home practice lowered their fasting blood glucose levels, better managed their disease, and improved their overall quality of life compared to those who participated at a lower level of intervention. The study demonstrated that tai chi chuan provided benefits similar to other more strenuous aerobic exercises, like walking or jogging.

Tai chi chuan and Qi Gong are low impact meditative exercises, which makes them appropriate for individuals of any age or fitness level. In a very real sense practicing Tai Chi Chuan and Qi Gong is much like taking a mini vacation from stress and our typically hectic lifestyles each day. Chinese Internal martial and health practice can be a cornerstone for a healthy and more enjoyable way of living.