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YOUR WELLNESS SPA Mind-Body Health 70 DAYSPA | JULY 2014 chi and qigong on the mind-body can be dramatic: lowered heart rate, improved circulation and greater mental clarity are typical responses. "The practice of tai chi calms the adrenal glands, and shuts down over-production of steroids," says Ad- ams. "It also opens up the immune system so the body can function like it should." One of the spa owner's greatest joys is in observing a small shift in one of her students as a result of continued practice. "Something changes," she says. "They feel something. Some peo- ple even have an emotional response when things sur- face. 'I'm getting inside my body. Yeah, I'm moving like a bird.' That's when the healing happens." CHOOSING THE ARTS With all of the options available for achieving internal balance, stress relief and overall wellness—yoga, medi- tation and deep breathing, to name just a few—why should someone choose tai chi or qigong? Julia Jin, gen- eral manager of Taichi Wellness Spa (taichiwellnessspa .com), with two locations in San Antonio, Texas, has a ready response. "When we're young we can do fi ght- ing martial arts and we can work hard in the gym," she explains. "Tai chi and qigong give an older person a structured way to practice powerful movements and breath. The whole-body movements are good for his or her head, neck and bones. And we know it helps with memory and balance." But the elderly aren't the only target group. "Stressed-out second graders need tai chi," Adams says. "So do type-A people who can't hold a yoga pose but can do tai chi because they get to move. I've seen it work for people with anxiety and depression too." Whynot can sometimes spot a good candidate during a massage. "A client with so much upper body ten- sion that his arms stick straight out during the mas- sage… someone whose abdomen is noticeably cold… a person whose body is so tight she's unable to stop her mind… someone with an injury who can't do other types of exercise... all of these people benefi t from the slow movements and mind focus." There are virtually no contraindications to doing tai chi and qigong—even people with heart conditions can perform most movements, though they should check dayspamagazine.com/freeinfo • Use FreeInfo #33 Readers' Choice Award Y o u r W e l l n e s s S p a . i n d d 7 0 Your Wellness Spa.indd 70 6 / 3 / 1 4 1 1 : 4 2 A M 6/3/14 11:42 AM