A Western clinical study, done by the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, showed that Tai Chi lowers blood pressure in seniors. The study conclusively demonstrated that tai chi’s gentle movements were as effective in significantly lowering diastolic and systolic blood pressure as the higher intensity activity of aerobic exercise.

The study compared the effect of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and tai chi in 62 sedentary seniors between the ages of 60 and 80. Although the study found that both types of exercise were equally, effective in reducing blood pressure, researchers concluded that tai chi had an edge for seniors because it is a low impact, light intensity activity. According to researchers, tai chi “can be performed at any time or place and does not require change of shoes or clothing, which may be desirable to older adults who do not identify themselves as ‘exercisers.’”