HOW DOES TAI CHI REDUCE STRESS?

Known as “moving meditation,” Tai Chi practice is great for stress management and stress reduction.

A recent neurological study began with people who had no meditation experience. Their brains were measured before and after an eight-week meditation regimen.

The post-eight-week brain scans revealed the science behind the stress reduction benefit of Tai Chi class. The study found thickening of the gray matter in parts of the brain responsible for learning, memory, emotional regulation and regulatory neurotransmitter creation, and shrinking of the area of the brain where fear, anxiety, and aggression reside.

What does this mean?

Regular Meditation Helps You Manage Stress

Stress management is about your internal reaction to outside stressors. With the increased emotional regulation – a physiological response in your brain to Tai Chi and other forms of meditation – you’ll experience better control over your response.

While Tai Chi classes won’t remove the micro-managing boss in your life, the neighbor who plays loud music late at night, or the unending traffic during your commute, it does indeed help you better deal with it.

Tai Chi Can Reduce Stress

Improved focus, attention span, and memory gained from practicing Tai Chi will enhance your ability to avoid creating stressful situations. Improved brain functions can improve work performance, time management, and inter-personal relationships – areas of life where stress can often reside.

Tai Chi Makes You Feel Better

The shrinking of the amygdala – where fear, anxiety, and depression reside in the brain provides an overall improved sense of well-being. By feeling good, you’re better able to react positively to whatever life throws your way. You’ll have more energy, be more active, and participate in more activities that bring you more happiness and joy.

Improving your overall sense of well-being can be part of a cycle of taking better care of yourself. Feeling good is a significant first step in making life changes that make you feel even better. Better eating habits, better lifestyle choices, and more can become yours by taking that first step into a Tai Chi class.

Tai Chi is an excellent choice for everyone because of its accessibility. Where some may be stuck in a rut of having been too inactive or maybe injured to partake in more rigorous activities, anyone can learn Tai Chi! It is gentle on joints and focuses on slow, steady moves that increase strength and balance while practicing essential breathing techniques known as qi gong. Tai Chi truly is moving mediation, all the benefits of meditation as well as increased strength, flexibility, and balance.

If you’re ready to take control over the stress in your life, we recommend you give tai chi at the US Kuo Shu Academy. Call today to request a free semi-private class.

Owings Mills: (443) 394-9222

Marriottsville: (443) 545-5566