An ancient exercise that looks like a cross between shadow boxing and slow motion dance, Tai Chi combines mental concentration with precise physical movements learned at your own pace.

In Tai Chi, "Pain is no gain." Practitioners praise Tai Chi's spiritual and psychological benefits, but what has attracted the attention of Western scientists lately is what Tai Chi does for the body.

In many ways, researchers are just catching up to what tens of millions of people in China and Chinatowns around the rest of the world already know about Tai Chi. Scientists at the Oregon Research Institute in Eugene reported last week that Tai Chi offers the greatest benefit to older men and women who are healthy but relatively inactive. Previous studies have shown that Tai Chi practiced regularly helps reduce falls among healthy seniors. The next step, from a scientific point of view, is to determine whether Tai Chi can help those who are already frail.

The slow-motion martial art builds strength, agility and, best of all, balance. It can take a few months for the effects to kick in, but when they do they can act as a gateway to a new lifestyle. "Once people start feeling better, they often become more active in their daily life," says Dr. Karim Khan, a family-practice and sports physician at the University of British Columbia.

For those currently leading a sedentary lifestyle who want to make exercise a part of their daily life Tai Chi can be an especially helpful and pleasant way to reach their goals. "The best thing about Tai Chi" says Christine Gorman at Time Magazine "is that people enjoy it, so they are more likely to stick with it long enough to get some benefit. It helps when something that's good for you is also fun."

"Why Tai Chi Is the Perfect Exercise" published by Time Magazine, July, 31, 2002 was found at http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101020805-332063,00.html