Working the chi
From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I'm Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.
Lots of people do Tai Chi and QiGong. So a researcher reviewed what scientists have found about these ancient Chinese techniques of slow deep breathing, movement, and meditation.
Linda Larkey of Arizona State University combed 77 journal articles. She noted benefits in things such as bone density, heart and lung function, quality of life, and fall prevention.
Larkey says Tai Chi and QiGong are worth doing, although they're not the only way:
"Slow deep breathing, some form of movement, and a meditative state - each of those factors have some benefits to health. So my suggestion to people is to do any one of those in whatever form you can do them in." (13 seconds)
The study in the American Journal of Health Promotion was supported by the National Institutes of Health.
Learn more at hhs.gov.
HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I'm Ira Dreyfuss.