Practical Help In Stressful Times

We are so fortunate to have a simple, enjoyable, extraordinarily effective daily practice that promotes our health, serenity and longevity in the best of times and the most challenging of times. Of course I’m referring to T’ai Chi Chih.

Teaching TCC for more than 35 years, I’ve heard plenty of anecdotal evidence from my students that TCC relieves stress and strengthens the immune system. I’ve certainly experienced those benefits myself, especially in this time of COVID-19.

Now there is research to back up these benefits. Studies have shown that bi-lateral rhythmic movement (which certainly describes TCC) calms the amygdala of the brain. The amygdala is part of the limbic system of the brain that is involved with emotions, especially fear and anger. It is what gets triggered in post-traumatic stress disorder – and from watching too much COVID-19 news!

It’s no wonder we feel calmer after TCC practice. Even taking a slow deep breath when starting to feel uptight and settling into the soles of our feet as we do over and over again in TCC, makes a difference in our inner equanimity.

In a Harvard Health Letter article entitled, “Tai Chi Gives Immune System a Boost,” UCLA researchers conducted a 25-week study involving 112 healthy people whose average age was about 70. Results showed that T cell activity levels for the T’ai Chi Chih group rose significantly more than the control group.

TCC might have a strong effect on the immune system because it manages to “bring exercise, relaxation and meditation together in one behavioral intervention,” the researchers said. They theorized that TCC enhances T cell activity by quieting the nervous system’s “fight or flight” response, which can interfere with the immune system.

When we practice TCC, it is much more than theory. We feel the very real results in our body-mind and come away feeling more peaceful yet energized and empowered to do things that are ours to do. As Justin often reminded us, we do more good than we know by practicing TCC.