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ORIENTAL EXERCISE
Dedicated to maintaining health and vitality through movement

Unlike traditional oriental medicine, with its well-documented network of acupuncture channels and points, the movements of oriental systems of exercise such as yoga or tai ji have often been a source of speculation on precisely what benefits they bring in terms of health. Yet everyone involved with the subject would agree that regular practice is effective in promoting, restoring and maintaining the body's natural vitality and well-being. How this occurs is not always clear, but it does work - as numerous scientific studies both in the West and in China have clearly shown.

Studies
Demonstrations of the effectiveness of regular tai ji practise in terms of health can be found in rehabilitation units in hospitals, for example. Among those recovering from cardiovascular disease it has been shown that regular tai ji exercise increases the heart rate gradually and safely to a level consistent with the demands of moderate fitness training. It is every bit as effective, or in some ways more effective and safe, than a comparable program of aerobic exercise.

Also, a recent study in the USA, through Harvard and Yale universities, concluded that elderly people undertaking, for instance, a tai ji exercise program could reduce the risk of falls by as much as 47.5%. This was achieved though regular practise which improved their balance, body awareness and muscular strength. If we take a quick tour around the body and look at the vital systems that maintain health, the benefits of regular practice of Eastern forms of exercise become even clearer ...

Breathing
A good supply of oxygen to the organs is essential for health. Every part of the body needs it, including the heart. Oxygen is also essential for the efficient burning of calories. In yoga, for instance, the efficiency of our respiration is increased through a combination of regular exercise and breathing that makes proper use of the diaphragm. In tai ji and some styles of qi gong, the lungs are also stimulated directly through the constant expanding and contracting movements of the upper limbs.

Lymph
Lymph fluid is the body's internal cleansing medium. Oriental exercise helps to move and circulate lymph through certain movement focused on lymph gland location in neck, armpits, elbows, knees and groin. An efficient lymphatic system subsequently helps the body to rid itself of toxins and keeps up our resistance to illness.

Blood Supply
The circulation of blood is improved not only through normal cardiovascular stimulation that all forms of exercise bring, but also through extensive use of leg muscles such as during the tai ji form. Relaxation of upper limbs and shoulders so typical of the more active styles of qi gong further increases circulation to the brain, while the phenomenon of vasodilation (expanded and more 'open' blood vessels) achieved in tai ji with its emphasis on relaxed arms and shoulders further aids the circulation.

Glandular System
The gentle movements of yoga and qi gong in particular help stimulate the vital glands of the body, situated in the chest, throat, and abdomen. These are responsible for our hormonal system, which controls everything from sleep to reproduction, from metabolism to disease resistance.

Nervous System
Oriental exercise is a perfect antidote to the hectic modern lifestyle. It combats stress in a very powerful way through its combination of slow, controlled movement and calm, regular breathing. The relaxed muscle tone cultivated by the tai ji form, for instance, greatly assists in overall feelings of awareness, sensitivity and well-being.

Skeletal System
Strong and healthy bones are dependent to a large extent on a good blood supply to the joints and a healthy bone marrow, which in turn helps manufacture the precious white blood cells that fight viruses and bacterial infection. Bone density is also important as we grow older, and the gentle weight-bearing movements from foot to foot in exercises such as tai ji or certain standing yoga postures are an excellent preventative measure against osteoporosis.

Digestion
Digestion is best done when the body is relaxed. Daily practice of oriental style exercises helps promote and maintain this relaxed state, as well as gently massaging and stimulating the digestive organs and viscera through the action of the diaphragm and the many turning and twisting movements that exercises such as yoga or tai chi entail. The calming effect of these exercises is also helpful for those suffering from illnesses such as IBS.

Reproductive System
The gentle twisting and opening movements of the lower abdomen and groin during yoga and tai ji movements, have a beneficial effect on blood supply to the reproductive organs. This may play a vital role in assisting not only a healthy sex-drive, but also, in women, the whole process of pregnancy - from issues of fertility right through to child-birth itself.

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