Tai chi boosts your immune system Conference/Journal: Medisch Dossier (volume 6, number 7 Date published: 2005 Other: Volume ID: 6 , Issue ID: 7 , Word Count: 82 The ancient martial art of tai chi could substantially boost the body’s immune system, a Dutch medical newsletter, reports on a study where a group of older men and women (average age of 70) practiced tai chi three days a week for 45 minutes. After fifteen weeks they not only felt healthier, but had twice the number of immune cells or so-called T-cells “with memories”, which are specially equipped to knock out the virus that causes shingles—an affliction in many older people.