Tai Chi, a traditional, slow-moving form of Chinese martial art, is known to increase flexibility and improve balance.  Gina Bari has taught Tai Chi for many years on behalf of the Jewish Family Institute of Los Angeles, Swezy Institute, the City of Santa Monica as well as the Parkinson’s and Diabetes foundations through Cedars-Sinai and St. John’s Health Center.

As reported by NPR, now new research suggests it’s better than more vigorous aerobic exercises for lowering blood pressure in people with prehypertension.  Prehypertension is blood pressure that’s higher than normal but doesn’t quite reach the level of high blood pressure, or hypertension. It’s considered a warning sign that heart disease may be ahead, and it raises the risk of having a heart attack.

The new findings, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, add to a large body of research pointing to health benefits from tai chi, a wellness practice that combines slow, gentle movements and postures with mindfulness. It’s often called meditation in motion.