The Science and Practice of Tai Chi/Qigong for a Superior Mind and Body 

Tai Chi/Qigong has been practiced for thousands of years, but it is not until now that we can fully understand their many benefits to the mind and the body on the basis of scientific research. The U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality rated Tai Chi as the best mind-body practice for reduction of stress. But Tai Chi is much more than that. The Harvard Health Publications called Tai Chi "medication in motion" because of research demonstrating that it can strengthen both slow and fast muscle fibers, relieve stress, improve mental focus, enhance mood, boost immune response, lower cholesterol, elevate blood flow, raise body energy and strength, and prevent or relieve many disorders such as insominia , obesity, hypertension, arthritis, and diabetes.  This lelcture/demonstration will present the latest scientific advances showing how one can select the simplest yet most effective Tai Chi/Qigong exercises that can lead to a superior mind and body for the modern world. 

Presenter:  Dr. Shin Lin is a professor at the Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, the Department of Bioengineering, and the Susan Samueli Center for Integrative Medicine at UC Irvine.  Formally designated a 20th generation inheritor of Chen style Tai chi, his Laboratory for Mind-Body Signaling and Energy Research is focused on the physiologoical basis of the benefits of Tail Chi/Qigong and how they are related to those associated with Traditional Chinese Medicine therapies such as acupuncture, massage and herbal medicine.  He was been appointed to the National Advisory Council for Complementary Medicine and Integrative Health by the US Secretary for Health and Human Services.  He currently holds a visiting professorship at the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine and the journal Chinese Medicine.