Tai Chi: A Breath of Fresh Air for COPD Patients
This ancient practice isn’t just a workout. It’s a powerful tool for improving breathing and reducing stress.
Staying active is essential for managing COPD, but finding the right exercise can be tough. Tai chi, an ancient martial art, offers a gentle, low-impact way to improve breathing, strengthen the body, and ease stress — all important for COPD management.
Tai chi consists of slow, flowing movements that promote better balance, flexibility, and cardiovascular health. “Tai chi integrates exercise with breath training and cognitive tools like heightened body awareness,” says Peter M. Wayne, Ph.D., associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. “These elements together have shown therapeutic effects, including in COPD patients.”
Research shows that tai chi can lower blood pressure, improve strength, and support lung function. It also reduces stress, which is important because anxiety can trigger breathing difficulties in COPD patients. “Many COPD patients struggle with depression and anxiety, and tai chi addresses those symptoms,” Dr. Wayne explains.
Here are two simple tai chi warm-ups to try:
Tai Chi swinging
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Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Shift your weight side to side while keeping your body relaxed. Let your arms swing naturally with the movement. Breathe deeply as you flow through the motions.
Spinal cord breathing
Stand or sit with good posture. Inhale as you gently arch your back and open your chest. Exhale as you round your back and tuck your chin. Move slowly, matching your breath to your motion.
