Empowering Youth through Mind-Body Connection: A Path to Holistic Mental Health

On the edge of the school gymnasium, in our sunlit spot, I witnessed a remarkable sight - disadvantaged youth from the LEAP school engrossed in creative expression through art. It struck me profoundly how self-discovery is pivotal in nurturing young minds. At TWI, we are driven by a mission to empower these youths with holistic mental health approaches like Tai Chi and Qigong.

Qigong has been found to be an effective, evidence-based complementary therapy that helps teens, adolescents, and people of all ages to decrease negative mental health symptoms. Research shows that Qigong directly impacts anxiety, depression, stress, mood, and self-esteem. In randomized controlled trials, anxiety decreased significantly for the participants who practiced Qigong compared to an active exercise group. Studies have also shown that people who play Qigong reduced their depression symptoms significantly more than those who did not participate. Additionally, Qigong decreased levels of circulating cortisol – which indicates stress — in participants who practiced Qigong, compared to a wait-list control group.

In our Tai Chi practice, we create a safe space for these young individuals to explore the connection between mind and body. Through graceful movements, we help them release emotional burdens and find tranquility within themselves. By integrating mindfulness and breath, they discover a profound sense of relaxation, unlocking their creative potential.

Similarly, in the ancient art of Qigong, we offer a moving meditation experience that aids emotional regulation and inner peace. It becomes a powerful tool for managing the stress and overwhelms that can be prevalent in their lives. We ground and center them through mindfulness and compassion, helping them deal with difficult emotions with renewed vigor.

At TWI, we firmly believe that a holistic approach to mental health is crucial for disadvantaged youth and young adults. Our aim is to help them find their inner strength and resilience, enabling them to face life's challenges with confidence. Join us on this transformative journey of self-discovery, and together, let's empower these young minds for a brighter future.

At TWI, we're all about giving our teens a well-rounded mental health experience. Alongside awesome therapies like DBT and CBT, we also introduce evidence-based complementary medicine into the mix. Our hope is that our amazing adolescents find an experiential activity they vibe with during their time with us and that they keep rocking it even after they're done with treatment. Qigong is one of those awesome practices – a self-healing movement that anyone can do on their own, no matter where they are, once they've got the basics down.

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