How Meditation and Tai Chi Went Mainstream

By Julio L. Matta, MPA, MBA

The Synergy Meditation Center At St. Charles

More Complementary & Integrative Healthcare Articles

How Meditation and Tai Chi Went Mainstream

The embrace of meditation in America is being driven by vocal proponents, as well as medical research using a scientific evidence-based process that clearly shows that a daily practice of meditation can improve the immune system, cure depression, boost memory, regulate emotions, and even change the structure of our brain.

A recent study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) looked at just how popular complementary health care as a holistic or unconventional health and wellness practices has become for Americans. The research shows that yoga is the most popular, but meditation is identified as the fastest-growing trend, seeing a more than threefold leap in users. In 2012, 4.1% reported using meditation, and in 2017, that increased to 14.2%.

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health has released research studies that show that in the United States since 2012, more then 18 million American have turn to meditation as an alternative complementary and holistic practice over traditional medicine and the numbers are steadily growing.

Tai Chi, specifically Tai Chi Chuan has also become the most sorted out alternative holistic form of low impact aerobics that shares many of the health benefits associated with meditation. Individuals that practice Tai Chi also benefit from its meditation attributes as this form of complementary exercise is considered “Meditation In Motion”.

An important aspect to both meditation and Tai Chi is the low level of injury associated with both of these holistic alternatives. Unlike weight lifting, and other more aggressive forms of aerobic exercises, i.e., Zumba, Jazzercise, and running, these more traditional forms of exercise have a higher risk of injury simply by the nature of the exercises themself.

Evidence-based science provides an advantage to the practice of meditation and Tai Chi by maintaining a secular practice approach avoiding religious, superstitious, or cultural trappings, and keeps practitioners current on scientific advances.

So, why are meditation and Tai Chi trending in over 18 million American households? The health benefits evidenced by practitioners of these alternative and complementary medicine are undeniable. The practice reduces stress and stress-related illnesses, reduces anxiety and depression, lowers blood pressure and help in regulating heart rate, decreases falls, decreases the symptoms of arthritis and fibromyalgia, reduces memory loss and so much more. It’s your time to start your path to a more calm, relaxed, and healthier you. As a community, together, lets focus on wellness.