WA
WaQi Research
Dr. Yang Yang’s program is the product of his lifelong traditional training and teaching
experience and research conducted over the course of his doctoral work in Kinesiology at the
University of Illinois. The program was refined for participation by healthy older adults through
the experience of several longitudinal pilot studies and a randomized controlled trial (RCT), and
was successfully adopted for use in another RCT by persons with early stage dementia.
A recent study also evaluated the effect on college age students for anxiety and sleep.
Seven papers have been published in the scientific peer reviewed literature that have used Dr.
Yang Yang’s program. All papers are of controlled, longitudinal studies, and three were fully
randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
The studies conclude that the program is effective for:
■ Lower body strength
■ Force control (a neuromuscular function)
■ Functional balance
■ Vestibular function (a mechanism of improved balance)
■ Immune function (response to flu vaccine)
■ Complex, holistic benefits combining five dimensions of experience: physical, mental,
emotional, social and spiritual
■ Anxiety and sleep
The WaQi Research Base
High quality scientific research using Dr. Yang's Tai Chi and Qigong program
supports the effectiveness of this approach in enhancing physical, mental and emotional health.
The WaQi approach reduces anxiety and improves sleep - A federally funded study used Dr. Yang's program to study the effect of his program on anxiety and sleep quality in young adults. Anxiety levels decreased and sleep quality improved significantly.
WaQi improves youthfulness - Within two months older adults (average age 80) in a study of Dr. Yang's system measured 10 years younger on tests of balance and strength
WaQi improves strength and coordination - Leg strength and muscular control were significantly improved by the combination of tai chi and qigong exercises in Dr. Yang's program. The improvement in muscular control was distinctly superior to the results of general strength training.
WaQi improves immune function - The combination of qigong and specific meditation exercises in Dr. Yang's program led to rapid improvements in performance of participants' immune systems. Although the immune response of older adults decays over time, use of the Dr. Yang's significantly improved their production of protective antibodies compared to a control group.
WaQi improves balance in multiple dimensions - A study of multiple aspects of balance in healthy adults used Dr. Yang's approach found improvements in a complex series of standing and moving challenges to balance and stability. You can always get better!
WaQi improves your mind and your self-esteem - Within 5 weeks of a Tai Chi based study, individuals with early stage dementia showed improvements in learning,and equally important, emotional health.
WaQi makes you feel better and younger in many ways - At the end of a 6 month study, students were interviewed about their experience. They reported many overall improvements in their lives related to their practice of Dr. Yang's system. Along with improved general health, they pointed to improved confidence, self-awareness and optimism.