Meditation, Taijiquan and Qigong: Evidence for Their Impact on Health and Longevity

This paper examines the effects of meditation, mindfulness, taijiquan, and qigong. I review the most recent and rigorous scientific research to document the impact of these practices on outcomes commonly sought by Daoist practitioners: health and longevity. I discuss the apparent pathways through which these practices achieve their effects, and conclude with recommendations for practice to enhance the likelihood that the potential benefits of these practices are successfully achieved.