Benefits of Tai Chi to Prevent Falls, Improve Mental Health Confirmed

The Chinese wellness practice of Tai Chi has been previously associated with a number of physical and mental health benefits.  Myeong Soo Lee, from Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine (South Korea) and Edzard Ernst from University of Exeter (United Kingdom) completed a systematic review of 35 published studies suggesting various benefits of tai chi. Observing that: “Relatively clear evidence emerged to suggest that t'ai chi is effective for fall prevention and improving psychological health and was associated with general health benefits for older people,” the researchers submit that:  “Our overview showed that t'ai chi, which combines deep breathing and relaxation with slow and gentle movements, may exert exercise-based general benefits for fall prevention and improvement of balance in older people as well as some meditative effects for improving psychological health.”