I did a little Tai Chi a few years ago, but due to work commitments and the time of the class I wasn't able to continue. But now, I'm back on the hunt for a class in my area. I have found two, but unfortunately they run during the day, which is no good for people that work 9-5, like me!

Tai Chi (also written as T'ai Chi, Taiji, Tai Chi Chuan, among others) is a slow-motion, moving meditative exercise for relaxation, health and self defense. Originally from China, Tai Chi has gained enormous popularity in America and throughout the rest of the world for its health benefits.

Doctors in the United States analysed 47 studies looking at the impact Tai Chi had on people with chronic health problems, like heart disease or MS. They found that it could improve balance control, flexibility and even the health of their heart.

Writing in The Archives of Internal Medicine, they said it also reduced stress, falls, pain and anxiety.

You may have seen large groups of Chinese people practicing Tai Chi in the local park, all moving together in the same direction, at the sae pace, looking extremely graceful.

A common misconception is that it is only good for the elderly. While it is a popular form of exercise among the elderly, particularly in China, tai chi has been found to be health-promoting for younger generations as well. In the July-August 2005 issue of the Journal of Paediatric Health Care, an article outlined an educational program that was implemented in a Boston middle school which involved tai chi and mindfulness-based stress reduction. The boys and girls who participated in the program reported the following benefits:
• Feelings of well-being, calmness, and relaxation

• Improved sleep
• Less reactivity

• Increased self-care and self-awareness

• Feelings of interconnectedness and interdependence with nature

Another study, published in the March 2006 issue of the British Journal of Sports Medicine, also found that tai chi enhances functional mobility. In addition, this study found that tai chi also enhances regulatory T cell function. T cells are critical to the overall strength of your immune system.