PAUL: Tai Chi consists of therapeutic gentle movements. And that attacks people who don't prefer high-intensity workouts. But In this week's staying well, we're taking a look at how everyone can benefit from this ancient martial art.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right foot out, as you blocked.</s>DANIEL HOOVER, SCHOOL OF HEALING MARTIAL ARTS: Tai Chi is a moving meditation that allows us to move more smoothly in life.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Strengthen your root.</s>HOOVER: And takes the principles that we've observed in nature, and uses it as a martial art.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ward off.</s>TANIELA IRIZARRY, TAI CHI STUDENT: I used to be really high energy, high-strung all the time. Tai Chi definitely helps with, you know, just keeping me centered. First, it does seem a little difficult to slow yourself down. But once you do, I just feel everything just kind of release.</s>PATRICK YORK, TAI CHI STUDENT: Tai Chi is a great way to disconnect from all of the stimuli, that's coming at us. I visualize pushing all the stress out. I do use Tai Chi as a form of physical fitness because each movement uses almost every muscle. Everything is engaged, but not stressed.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Breath out.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Because it's practiced slowly, a lot of people have discovered the healing benefits.</s>DR. MICHAEL IRVIN, UCLA MINDFUL AWARENESS RESEARCH CENTER DIRECTOR: Tai Chi improves our psychological health and if we have depression, anxiety or sleep problems, it improves all of those problems.
How Tai Chi Helps Reduce Stress.