Physical benefits

1. Increased flexibility - particularly in the often forgotten spine. Maintenance of flexibility in spinal joints is 'oh so important'.
2. Full range of motion in a lot of your joints - motion is lotion, as they say. Better yet - use it or lose it!
3. Increased strength, particularly of the leg muscles
4. Better balance, fewer falls
5. Improved posture
6. Improved immune functioning. (Why? Mental stillness and reduced stress help immune function, as does exercise.)
7. Improved, deeper breathing - leading to increased oxygenation and vitality of all tissues, improved immune functioning, deeper relaxation
8. Many people have reduced pain - particularly noticed in shoulders, back, legs and knees
9 .Increased vitality, energy and life - and an increased awareness of the ever present 'chi'.
10 .Enhanced coordination, and improved fine motor skills.

Mental benefits

1. Reduced stress
2. Increased relaxation
3. Increased concentration and mental focus
4. Improved memory
5. Increased sense of happiness and inner peace
6. Greater ability to 'be in the moment', to pull out of the craziness of everyday living
7. An often profound sense of being here, now. (Wherever you go, there you are...) In other words, reducing the tendency to live in the past, or worry about the future.
8. A higher level of happiness