We are undoubtedly living in extremely stressful times: increased violence, war, crimes against women and children, troubled teens, fighting traffic, recession, and job-loss are just some of the day-to-day stressors. Recognizing the fact that “stress kills,” Full Circle Martial Arts is totally committed to bringing “balance” back into the community.

Tai Chi, which means “Grand Ultimate,” is a form of moving meditation that utilizes slow-motion movement with synchronized breathing that calms the mind and relaxes the body. Practiced by both young and old, Tai Chi emphasizes balance, coordination, breath control, correct posture, and mental concentration. The continued practice of this art ultimately leads to robust physical strength, mental clarity, emotional calm, serenity, and an overall improved quality of life.

In an article by the Washington Post, Dr. Judith Lasater, a San Francisco physical therapist, says ‘using the energy of body and mind to turn inward can help heal the effects of chronic stress.’

In Mind, Body and Spirit Magazine, it was reported that research conducted at the West Oakland Health Center, in Oakland, California showed that meditation may be as effective as drug therapy at lowering blood pressure. During a three-month study, African American men and women who practiced meditation for 20 minutes, two times a day lowered their blood pressure by 11 systolic points and 6 diastolic points, a reduction comparable to those achieved with drugs. It was twice the decrease others attained through simple relaxation.

In a related article, a 1992 Australian study of 96 practitioners found Tai Chi had the same effects on heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormones as brisk walking – it is a more vigorous workout than you might expect. It is especially important for the elderly, as indicated in an Atlanta study of 200 people in their 70s, which found that 15 weeks of Tai Chi training cut their risk of falling nearly in half and reduced their blood pressure as well.

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