How does Qigong help the body?

Qigong is a gentle form of exercise and emphasizes calm, meditative breathing. Together, this may reduce stress on the body, increase blood flow, and improve your overall fitness — all of which can lower your risk of chronic disease ( 16 , 17 ).

How does Qigong reduce stress?

Studies have also shown that people who practice Qigong reduced their depression symptoms significantly more than those who didn’t participate. In another study, Qigong decreased levels of circulating cortisol – which indicate stress — in participants who practiced Qigong, compared to a wait-list control group.

For what ailments is qigong potentially an appropriate therapy?

Clinical Recommendations As the evidence for Tai Chi and Qigong continues to develop, promising results from multiple RCTs suggest that these are potentially effective treatments for reducing stress, anxiety, depression, and low mood, as well as for improving self-esteem and general psychosocial well-being.

Why would qigong be an effective exercise for senior citizens?

Since Qigong uses the body as weight, it also helps to strengthen muscles. Seniors are at risk of developing sarcopenia—the loss of muscle due to aging. Qigong can help preserve muscles from atrophying or breaking down. Qigong is an amazing Chinese holistic exercise practice.

What is qigong and Tai Chi?

Qigong and Tai Chi have been shown to decrease inflammatory markers Interleukin-6 and C-Reactive Protein in the blood [10– 12]

How does the autonomic nervous system work?

Part of this is the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which reacts and responds to threats in an automatic way and is governed by an old ‘reptilian’ part of the brain. Higher brain functions, like rational thought, evolved later, and are governed by ‘newer’ parts of the brain.

Which systems can be targeted through controlled breathing exercises?

The parasympathetic nervous system – The parasympathetic nervous system acts as a counter to this function, by slowing down the body after a period of activity. These are the systems that can be targeted and there is a long list of benefits associated with the intentional manipulation of this system through controlled breathing exercises.

How can I down-regulate my nervous system?

Making time throughout each day to down-regulate your system is perhaps one of the most accessible and important actions you can do for physical and mental health and wellbeing. Slowing down, and breathing out, immediately moves you more towards the parasympathetic nervous system.