Effects of traditional Chinese exercises on the brain

[Gyakuto115 124]

Effects of traditional Chinese exercises on brain-derived neurotrophic factor in middle-aged and older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may help middle-aged and older adults resist age-related neurodegenerative conditions and psychiatric disorde…

www.sciencedirect.com

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A meta-analysis of 10 randomized controlled trials found that ancient forms of Chinese exercise were associated with significant increases in a protein linked to memory, mood, and brain cell health.


Researchers pooled data from participants in their 50s, 60s, and 70s. All three major traditional Chinese exercise forms (Tai Chi, Baduanjin Qigong, and Yijinjing Qigong) showed meaningful associations with higher BDNF levels.


BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) is sometimes described as fertilizer for the brain. It supports neuron growth and maintenance, and plays a role in how well your memory and mood systems function.


The researchers believe the benefit may come from the combination of movement and mindfulness, rather than from physical effort alone. Earlier research on low-to-moderate exercise without a meditative component showed weaker BDNF responses.


The scientists believe that breathwork and focused attention reduce stress hormones that suppress BDNF production while simultaneously activating the neural pathways that promote it.


If you already practice Tai Chi or Qigong, this adds to the case for keeping it. If you don't, the programs studied used beginner-accessible 8- and 10-form sequences easily found on YouTube or in community center classes, no equipment required. Two to three sessions per week covered the range of what was studied, with no evidence that dramatically higher volumes improve results.

If you’re already exercising consistently, you don’t need to replace your current routine. Instead, think of the research as one more reason to try something you might have overlooked.

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[windwalker099115 145]

Interesting interview outlining Yang Jwing-Ming’s introduction to Taiji, his thoughts on the practice, and Qi Gong….

Like a number of noted older masters, the practice was originally recommended to him to help address medical problems he was having at the time.

Interesting how many entered the arts through health and recovery, later discovering the deeper aspects through long-term practice.

 

[Wing Woo Gar50 11]

Interesting interview outlining Yang Jwing-Ming’s introduction to Taiji, his thoughts on the practice, and Qi Gong….

Like a number of noted older masters, the practice was originally recommended to him to help address medical problems he was having at the time.

Interesting how many entered the arts through health and recovery, later discovering the deeper aspects through long-term practice.

We chat about this sometimes. He has a vast knowledge base. I’m very lucky I have a few hours to spend with him every week.

 

[windwalker099115 145]

Interesting listening to Yang Jwing-Ming speak on Taiji, Qi Gong, and his introduction to the arts through health problems he was experiencing at the time.

His Taiji expression appears a little different from some of the more standardized Yang style practices commonly seen today. Part of this may come from his earlier background in White Crane, Long Fist, martial application, and Qi Gong training developed during the Taiwan-era CMA environment.

Watching his movement, one can still see a more martial, dynamically expressed body method compared to some quieter Yang style lines.

 

[Same Trick60 11]

Many of these ancient wellbeing methods are attributed to Bodhidharma/Daruma. according to OP’s tsuba avatar these methods(or health results of them) may so also be found in the Japanese sword arts such as Iaido too.

 

[Gyakuto115 124]

Many of these ancient wellbeing methods are attributed to Bodhidharma/Daruma. according to OP’s tsuba avatar these methods(or health results of them) may so also be found in the Japanese sword arts such as Iaido too.

It’s actually very rare to find Zen Buddhist motifs in Japanese sword art (and swordsmanship) because of the huge time investment required in following its practises. So when I saw this tsuba, I had to have it!

 

[Wing Woo Gar50 11]

Interesting listening to Yang Jwing-Ming speak on Taiji, Qi Gong, and his introduction to the arts through health problems he was experiencing at the time.

His Taiji expression appears a little different from some of the more standardized Yang style practices commonly seen today. Part of this may come from his earlier background in White Crane, Long Fist, martial application, and Qi Gong training developed during the Taiwan-era CMA environment.

Watching his movement, one can still see a more martial, dynamically expressed body method compared to some quieter Yang style lines.

His Taiji is indeed influenced by his White crane more than long fist. His version of the Yang long form is different and less “ martial” than my Sigungs expression of the form. Watch James Wing Woos version and you will see what I mean. I am somewhat biased as is Dr Yang and anyone else that learned the form a certain way initially.

 

[Wing Woo Gar50 11]

Interesting listening to Yang Jwing-Ming speak on Taiji, Qi Gong, and his introduction to the arts through health problems he was experiencing at the time.

His Taiji expression appears a little different from some of the more standardized Yang style practices commonly seen today. Part of this may come from his earlier background in White Crane, Long Fist, martial application, and Qi Gong training developed during the Taiwan-era CMA environment.

Watching his movement, one can still see a more martial, dynamically expressed body method compared to some quieter Yang style lines.

The way he teaches the two person set in general is not the way he teaches it to me and my training brothers. The form on video or in seminars does not show actual applications the way he teaches it in private. All off-ramps to Chin na are explored in the form as well as actual applications. Full speed with resistance is tricky and risky. I have suffered torn retinaculum on left hand, avulsed ligament on right thumb, sprained right elbow, jammed fingers etc.

 

[windwalker099115 145]

His Taiji is indeed influenced by his White crane more than long fist. His version of the Yang long form is different and less “ martial” than my Sigungs expression of the form. Watch James Wing Woos version and you will see what I mean. I am somewhat biased as is Dr Yang and anyone else that learned the form a certain way initially.

A general question…

At what point does the expression of an art become different enough that people no longer recognize it as belonging to the same family…or is the underlying method more important than the outward appearance?

Interested in reading others’ viewpoints on this…

I call my own method “Empty Circle Taiji.”

 

[Marsha Larts]

All off-ramps to Chin na are explored in the form as well as actual applications. Full speed with resistance is tricky and risky. I have suffered torn retinaculum on left hand, avulsed ligament on right thumb, sprained right elbow, jammed fingers etc.

Feel that! I'm lucky I still got both eyes

 

[isshinryuronin4 4]

All off-ramps to Chin na are explored in the form as well as actual applications. Full speed with resistance is tricky and risky. I have suffered torn retinaculum on left hand, avulsed ligament on right thumb, sprained right elbow, jammed fingers etc.

"Real" chin'na and Japanese jiu jitsu are things I would only want to learn from an expert instructor and practice with very conscientious classmates. Even a slight mistake in force can result in joint injury. During my short stint with JJJ during the 70's the instructor, a former All-Japan champion (a hard as nails old school guy), returned from a tournament with a broken wrist. The real versions of these two arts are not for the casual practitioner.

 

[Wing Woo Gar50 11]

A general question…

At what point does the expression of an art become different enough that people no longer recognize it as belonging to the same family…or is the underlying method more important than the outward appearance?

Interested in reading others’ viewpoints on this…

I call my own method “Empty Circle Taiji.”

Good question, but I can’t answer honestly, because I simply don’t know. To me it’s irrelevant, I don’t care about lineage or what people think about it, I care about results that work for me. I deeply respect my teachers, I believe I have had good quality instruction from a good number of highly skilled people that could and did fight. Whether or not one or the other added or removed things is their option and completely besides the point or reason I trained with them. I am willing to learn anything martial if it makes sense and can be shown to be effective.

 

[Wing Woo Gar50 11]

"Real" chin'na and Japanese jiu jitsu are things I would only want to learn from an expert instructor and practice with very conscientious classmates. Even a slight mistake in force can result in joint injury. During my short stint with JJJ during the 70's the instructor, a former All-Japan champion (a hard as nails old school guy), returned from a tournament with a broken wrist. The real versions of these two arts are not for the casual practitioner.

I would venture to say that Dr Yang Jwing Ming qualifies as a “ real” Chin na expert. My classmates are my training brothers of 30 years in Wing Woo Gar, my best friends. They are a rough bunch but would never try to injure me. These things require trust to be sure. Injuries are sure to occur occasionally but there is nothing for it. Things happen when tangling at speed. Sometimes the counter to a counter just happens too fast to react correctly.

 

[Wing Woo Gar50 11]

A general question…

At what point does the expression of an art become different enough that people no longer recognize it as belonging to the same family…or is the underlying method more important than the outward appearance?

Interested in reading others’ viewpoints on this…

I call my own method “Empty Circle Taiji.”

I haven’t changed my form at all. I don’t feel that I can add or remove anything in a meaningful way. Ive only been practicing for 30 years. That said, while I love Dr Yangs Chin na and his 2 person set, I would not alter my long form that I learned from Sifu Woo and Sifu Gale. I’m not a big fan of the solo long form that Dr Yang teaches. His applications are phenomenal but I can hardly stand to watch his students do the long form. This just proves I’m still an elitist pig in this regard. I must accept my own biases as such. I still have an awful lot to learn.

 

[windwalker099115 145]

I haven’t changed my form at all. I don’t feel that I can add or remove anything in a meaningful way. Ive only been practicing for 30 years. That said, while I love Dr Yangs Chin na and his 2 person set, I would not alter my long form that I learned from Sifu Woo and Sifu Gale. I’m not a big fan of the solo long form that Dr Yang teaches. His applications are phenomenal but I can hardly stand to watch his students do the long form. This just proves I’m still an elitist pig in this regard. I must accept my own biases as such. I still have an awful lot to learn.

30yrs is a long time…in some aspects a short time in others…

I understand not wanting to alter a form one received from one’s teachers. At the same time, I think over time each person’s understanding begins to shape how the art is expressed.

My own Taiji path started around 1980 at the suggestion of a friend who thought it might help answer some questions I had at the time. Prior to that, growing up in SF and being more involved with other CMA systems, I honestly never thought much about Taiji and doubted much of what was associated with it would work against fighters.

Years later, when asking my last Taiji teacher about the different styles of Taiji, he told me:

“Once you come to an understanding of Taiji…you can call it what you want.”

“Empty Circle” reflects my own understanding at this time…based on his teachings and my own ongoing practice.

 

[Holmejr13 12]

That is the latest craze in martial arts. I just watched a TED talk on cognitive Kali. Seems it’s harder to sell the combat aspect of the martial arts and concentrate on the cognitive and self healing aspects.

 

[Wing Woo Gar50 11]

30yrs is a long time…in some aspects a short time in others…

I understand not wanting to alter a form one received from one’s teachers. At the same time, I think over time each person’s understanding begins to shape how the art is expressed.

My own Taiji path started around 1980 at the suggestion of a friend who thought it might help answer some questions I had at the time. Prior to that, growing up in SF and being more involved with other CMA systems, I honestly never thought much about Taiji and doubted much of what was associated with it would work against fighters.

Years later, when asking my last Taiji teacher about the different styles of Taiji, he told me:

“Once you come to an understanding of Taiji…you can call it what you want.”

“Empty Circle” reflects my own understanding at this time…based on his teachings and my own ongoing practice.

I like that. Make it your own is important to keep it growing. I express the form the best I can within the form structure I was taught.

 

[Kung Fu Wang115 145]

I understand not wanting to alter a form one received from one’s teachers.

When my SC teacher lived in my house, one day I trained the SC solo form. He came over and asked me what I was doing. I said I was training the form "diagonal strike" that he taught me. He said, "Form is for teaching and learning only. Form is not for training, If you want to train "diagonal strike" for "knee seizing", your other hand should be below your knee. If you want to train it for "slant cut", your leg should hook back.

That was the most valuable MA lesson that I have learned in my whole life. A move in the form may be able to map into many different applications. Since I can only train 1 application at any time, when I train form, I have to map the abstract form into concrete application.

Since different days I may train form for different applications, my form training should look differently among different days.