Protect Your Mind with Gentle Tai Chi

Can Tai Chi exercise help? Yes, in fact, physical activity is one of the few reliable things that can help prevent or slow dementia. Plus, regular exercise helps combat other Alzheimer's disease risk factors, such as depression and obesity. Exercising several times a week may keep thinking, reasoning and learning skills sharp for healthy individuals. Tai Chi exercise has many known benefits for both physical and mental health, including reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, strengthening the bones and muscles, and reducing stress. 

Studies also show that regular physical activity benefits the brain and that people who are physically active are less likely to experience a decline in their mental function and have a lowered risk of developing or progressing with Alzheimer's disease. 

David-Dorian Ross leads an easy class to help you:

• Keep thinking, reasoning and learning skills sharp for healthy individuals.
• Improve memory, reasoning, judgment and thinking skills (cognitive function) for people with mild Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment.
• Delay the start of Alzheimer's for people at risk of developing the disease or slow the progress of the disease.
• Increase the size of the part of the brain that's associated with memory formation (hippocampus).

Tai Chi helps your brain not only by keeping the blood flowing but also by increasing chemicals that protect the brain. Physical activity also tends to counter some of the natural reduction in brain connections that occurs with aging.

Regular tai chi practice feels great and is important to stay physically and mentally fit. And for older adults, even leisurely physical activity offers health benefits. Just follow along, breathe deeply and keep smiling!