Zan Gao, PhD, professor and Director of Physical Activity and Epidemiology Laboratory in the School of Kinesiology, has co-authored an article for the American College of Sports Medicine blog entitled Integrating Eastern Mindfulness Movements into Exercise Routines in the Era of the Pandemic. 

As Gao and co-author Yingying Chen, DNP, RN, note in the piece, May is both Mental Health Awareness Month and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, an ideal time to discuss the benefits of integrating Eastern mindfulness movements (e.g., tai chi, qigong, and yoga) into exercise routines to improve mental health and manage symptoms of depression. These types of exercises, while always beneficial, have become particularly relevant during the pandemic when depression and anxiety has become an increased concern. 

Gao and Chen specifically highlight tai chi, a form of mind-body exercise that originated in China, as one example of Eastern mindfulness movements with both physical and mental health benefits:  

“Research evidence suggests tai chi programs have positive effects on individuals’ immune systems, inflammation reduction, rehabilitation in respiratory diseases and emotional improvement. Also, practicing tai chi requires limited space and no extra equipment, so it can be practiced at home or in a nearby park, making it possible for us to maintain an active lifestyle during the pandemic and cope with COVID-19 adversities.” 

The piece also notes the emergence and growth of virtual reality and gaming in broadening the availability of Eastern mindfulness movement exercises, citing games such as Guided Tai Chi (Oculus Quest 2) and Tai Chi for Beginners (Xbox) as options for individuals interested in exploring tai chi from the comfort of home.