Tai Chi Boosts Immune System
Tai Chi Boosts Immune System
In 2007, UCLA and the University of California, San Diego carried out medical research on adults over a 25 week period. The findings at the end showed that those participants who practiced Tai Chi three times per week had double the immune system response than the others. Science Daily published an article titled 'Practicing Tai Chi Boosts Immune System In Older Adults' with more details on the research.
As winter approaches, what better way of helping your body naturally fight the common cold and other winter bugs. Try Tai Chi and Qigong this winter to help boost resistance to viruses by 50%. Read more on the health and wellbeing benefits of regular Tai Chi and Qigong practice.
Tai Chi and Qigong movements help to activate the lymph system, through muscular contraction the expanding, compressing and spiralling movements, and through diaphragmatic breathing. The lymph system plays a hugely important part in our immune system function. The lymph fluid draws waste and toxins from within the body through to the lymph node filtering system.
The lymph does not have a pump, movement is the only way to propel the lymph fluid through the system. The lymph acts as a drainage system for the body. A sedentary lifestyle leads to a build up of waste and toxins, which has a negative impact on our health.
Unique to whole body movement practices (Tai Chi, Qigong, yoga etc), where the torso is stretched, flexed, extended, expanded and compressed. These movements help to massage the internal organs, which helps to expel toxins and waste, as well as to draw in nutrients. This helps to improve the function of the organs and systems within the torso, which in turn helps to increase your immunity.
Unique to whole body movement practices (Tai Chi, Qigong, yoga etc), the movements are combined with deep abdominal breathing, which also massages the internal organs with an expanding and compressing motion. Consider also movements that compress and restrict the torso, when adding in breathing this creates a smaller area for the lungs to fill to capacity within the torso. This deeply massages the internal organs to aid all body systems to function much better, again increasing immunity.
Tai Chi and Qigong help to return the body to a neutral state, known as the natural relaxation response. The deliberately slow performance, combined with integrated body movements and deep breathing all help release physical and mental tension. When you live excessively in the stress response, the body is in an emergency state which drains your energy, reduces the body's ability to function properly, and weakens the immune system. You become more prone to viruses and illness when living with stress, anxiety, worry, depression, grief etc.
As with all medical conditions, injuries and/or ill-health, please consult with your Doctor prior to starting a class. Tai Chi, Qigong and Meditation are not a replacement for conventional medical treatment.
