Though the current project started as a series of posts charting my grief journey after the death of my mother, I am no longer actively grieving. Now, the blog charts a conversation in living, mainly whatever I want it to be. This is an activity that goes well with the theme of this blog (updated 2018). The Sense of Doubt blog is dedicated to my motto: EMBRACE UNCERTAINTY. I promote questioning everything because just when I think I know something is concrete, I find out that it’s not.
Hey, Mom! The Explanation.
Here's the permanent dedicated link to my first Hey, Mom! post and the explanation of the feature it contains.
I need a practice in my life that promotes and supports my health and calms anxieties.
I am hopeful that tai chi will be this thing.
Thanks for tuning in.
2012: Tai Chi linked to increased brain volume
A collaborative study from the University of South Florida and Shanghai's Fudan University presented evidence that regular practice of tai chi increases brain volume and provides various mental benefits in senior citizens compared to those who are sedentary. While previous studies had accorded these benefits to regular practitioners of anaerobic exercise, researchers were unclear whether the slower, more relaxed pastime of tai chi would follow suit. However, after an eight-month trial, the study revealed that tai chi indeed prevents brain shrinkage and boosted cognition.
Tao, J., Liu, J., Liu, W., Huang, J., Xue, X., Chen, X., Wu, J., Zheng, G., Chen, B., Li, M., Sun, S., Jorgenson, K., Lang, C., Hu, K., Chen, S., Chen, L., & Kong, J. (2017). Tai Chi Chuan and Baduanjin Increase Grey Matter Volume in Older Adults: A Brain Imaging Study. Journal of Alzheimer's disease: JAD, 60(2), 389–400. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-170477
The USF-led study suggests non-aerobic exercise and social interaction may reduce dementia risk
Tampa, FL (June 19, 2012) — Scientists from the University of South Florida and Fudan University in Shanghai found increases in brain volume and improvements on tests of memory and thinking in Chinese seniors who practiced Tai Chi three times a week, reports an article published today in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Findings were based on an 8-month randomized controlled trial comparing those who practiced Tai Chi to a group who received no intervention. The same trial showed increases in brain volume and more limited cognitive improvements in a group that participated in lively discussions three times per week over the same time period.
Previous trials have shown increases in brain volume in people who participated in aerobic exercise, and in one of these trials, an improvement in memory was seen. However, this was the first trial to show that a less aerobic form of exercise, Tai Chi, as well as stimulating discussion led to similar increases in brain volume and improvements on psychological tests of memory and thinking.
The group that did not participate in the interventions showed brain shrinkage over the same time period, consistent with what generally has been observed for persons in their 60s and 70s.
Numerous studies have shown that dementia and the syndrome of gradual cognitive deterioration that precedes it is associated with increasing shrinkage of the brain as nerve cells and their connections are gradually lost.
“The ability to reverse this trend with physical exercise and increased mental activity implies that it may be possible to delay the onset of dementia in older persons through interventions that have many physical and mental health benefits,” said lead author Dr. James Mortimer, professor of epidemiology at the University of South Florida College of Public Health.
Research suggests that aerobic exercise is associated with increased production of brain growth factors. It remains to be determined whether forms of exercise like Tai Chi that include an important mental exercise component could lead to similar changes in the production of these factors. “If this is shown, then it would provide strong support to the concept of “use it or lose it” and encourage seniors to stay actively involved both intellectually and physically,” Dr. Mortimer said.
One question raised by the research is whether sustained physical and mental exercise can contribute to the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease, the most common dementing illness.
“Epidemiologic studies have shown repeatedly that individuals who engage in more physical exercise or are more socially active have a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease,” Dr. Mortimer said. “The current findings suggest that this may be a result of growth and preservation of critical regions of the brain affected by this illness.”
Article citation: James A. Mortimer, Ding Ding, Amy R. Borenstein, Charles DeCarli, Qihao Guo, Yougui Wu, Qianhua Zhao, Shugang Chu. Changes in Brain Volume and Cognition in a Randomized Trial of Exercise and Social Interaction in a Community-Based Sample of Non-Demented Chinese Elders, Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease 2012; 30 (4).
-USF Health-
USF Health’s mission is to envision and implement the future of health. It is the partnership of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, the College of Nursing, the College of Public Health, the College of Pharmacy, the School of Biomedical Sciences and the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences; and the USF Physician’s Group. The University of South Florida is a global research university ranked 50thin the nation by the National Science Foundation for both federal and total research expenditures among all U.S. universities.
Media contact: James Mortimer, USF College of Public Health (813) 857-3163, or jmortime@health.usf.edu
When you consider your happiness and wellbeing, aside from all the reasons that have held back, and inside all that you have thought about what you want to accomplish, you can begin to realize, who are you, that is capable of more joy and more well-being?
And as you begin to feel more like your happiest and healthiest self, would you like that, for your life? Would it be worth 7 minutes of your day?
Because Tai Chi is completely transformative, and when you know the secret, totally easy. And what is the secret?
The secret is to let go. Let go of your thoughts about doing it right or wrong. Let go of being perfect, of being critical, of self doubting. Let go and that means you can just float. Like a leaf in the wind, like a boat in a gentle stream, like a being of your highest spirit, floating in a serene sea of blissful energy.
Peter Chen has been practising Tai Chi and Qi Gong for more than 30 years since 1986. Thousands of students have enjoyed his classes since he started teaching professionally in 1998. This video shows clear instructions of basic steps, breathing coordination and mind concentration for Tai Chi practice.
Tai Chi is an ancient practice that helps you live healthier and more mindfully. Master Pei guides you through a range of beginner tai chi chuan and qi gong lessons to increase strength and flexibility while reducing stress & anxiety. Join us for this wonderful and beautiful routine with expert instruction. The tai chi that Master Pei teaches in these lessons are from the Yang 24 tai chi chuan form and 8 pieces of brocade qi gong.
About Tai Chi for Beginners: Tai Chi for Beginners is a perfect Tai Chi way to explore and experience the numerous benefits of Tai Chi, no matter what shape you are in. World-renowned Tai Chi master Chris Pei leads you through this routine..
This ancient, physical & meditative practice of the Yang style 24 posture form tai chi video is designed to build strength, improve health & flexibility, reduce stress, increase energy flow, promote health & wellness and relax your mind. These easy-to-follow lessons teach the Tai Chi postures with clear, step-by-step instructions. The routines are low-impact with modifications taught for less-flexible people.
World-renowned Tai Chi master Chris Pei leads you through customized lessons ranging from 10 to 60 minutes.
- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 2507.15 - 10:10
- Days ago: MOM = 3666 days ago & DAD = 320 days ago
- New note - On 1807.06, I ceased daily transmission of my Hey Mom feature after three years of daily conversations. I post Hey Mom blog entries on special occasions. I post the days since ("Days Ago") count on my blog each day, and now I have a second count for Days since my Dad died on August 28, 2024. I am now in the same time zone as Google! So, when I post at 10:10 a.m. PDT to coincide with the time of Mom's death, I am now actually posting late, so it's really 1:10 p.m. EDT. But I will continue to use the time stamp of 10:10 a.m. to remember the time of her death and sometimes 13:40 EDT for the time of Dad's death. The blog entry numbering in the title has changed to reflect total Sense of Doubt posts since I began the blog on 0705.04, which include Hey Mom posts, Daily Bowie posts, and Sense of Doubt posts. Hey Mom posts will still be numbered sequentially. New Hey Mom posts will use the same format as all the other Hey Mom posts; all other posts will feature this format seen here.
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