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The Mayo Clinic Touts the Health Benefits of Tai Chi

Shulamit Glaubach MD

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Shulamit Glaubach, MD, is an experienced psychiatrist who operates her own private practice in San Francisco, California. Taking a holistic approach to medical care, she incorporates a range of Eastern and Western techniques into her treatment modalities. Shulamit Glaubach, MD, has recommended tai chi to many of her patients.

Tai chi (also known as tai chi chuan) is an ancient Chinese martial art that has evolved into a meditative form of exercise and gentle stretching. Similar to yoga practitioners, those who engage in the practice of tai chi perform a series of movements in a slow and attentive manner while paying close attention to each deep breath that they take.
Since tai chi places little stress on muscles and joints, the Mayo Clinic recommends it as a safe and effective method of exercise for pregnant women and people with health conditions such as joint and back pain. In addition to providing an extremely low-impact workout, tai chi offers a wide range of heath benefits including decreased levels of anxiety and depression. Some research has also indicated that tai chi can enhance the quality of sleep, lower blood pressure, boost the immune system, and improve the symptoms of congestive heart failure.