Improve Nervous System and Cognitive Function with Tai Chi By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “tai chi appears to improve executive function—the ability to multitask, manage time, and make decisions—in people without any cognitive decline. In those with mild cognitive impairment, tai chi slowed the progression to dementia.” – Harvard Health Tai […]
Forest Walking and Forest Qigong Improve Cognitive Function in the Elderly By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “forest bathing has received increasing attention due to its health-promoting effects, including enhancing immune functions and decreasing blood pressure in hypertension patients, as well as stress relief effects.” – Genxiang Mao, Modern living is stressful, […]
Improve Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents with Mindfulness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “The more present you are in life, the more you realize you make better decisions, manage your emotions, and are fully engaged in life.” – Stephanie Gutzmer A characterizing feature of anxiety disorders is recurring thoughts, such […]
Improve Balance and Exercise Capacity in Stroke Patients with Tai Chi By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “With a complete focus on slow, controlled, and repetitive movements, tai chi is effective in improving one’s balance through dynamic motion and coordination, which is crucial to prevent falls. What many people may not know is that stroke […]
Improve Low Back Pain with Walking and Mind-Body Practices By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Mindfulness training teaches us to be aware of, and accept, moment-to-moment physical sensations of discomfort, while letting go of our usual negative reactions. So instead of spending hours each day thinking about how much we hate our back […]
Meditation and Exercise Practices can be Maintained Long-Term after Training Completion By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Maintaining your meditation practice after the course has finished is often a struggle. Without the structure of a follow-on course it’s easy to lose track, stop practising and get down-hearted and even give up.” Over […]
Increase White Matter in the Brains of Aging Women with Tai Chi By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “studies have shown tai chi’s association with improved cognition and neuroplasticity. This has led the scientific community to suggest tai chi may be of useful treating physical and psychological disorders, including stroke, Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain […]
Improve Balance in Parkinson’s Disease with Tai Chi and Yoga By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “In addition to easing balance problems, and possibly other symptoms, tai chi can help ease stress and anxiety and strengthen all parts of the body, with few if any harmful side effects. . . with Parkinson’s disease.” […]
Improve the Physical and Mental Health of Patients with COPD with Tai Chi By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “The gentle movements of Sun-style tai chi (SSTC) can improve the lives and boost the exercise endurance of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.” – Matt McMillen Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD) are progressive lung diseases that obstruct […]
Improve Cognition and Balance in Older Adults with Tai Chi By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Tai chi combines the physical components needed to stay upright—leg strength, flexibility, range of motion, and reflexes—all of which tend to decline with age. . . “It’s like practicing tightrope walking on the ground. You’re practicing your […]