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the New York Times recently reported various studies and researches done by medical centers in the United States showing the benefits of practicing Tai Chi Quan.Tai chi is a gentle form of traditional Chinese martial arts that combines elements of kong fu, traditional Chinese medicine, and art. Its practicing pose looks like slow dancing. The most significant feature of tai chi is to require participants to use diaphragmatic breathing.Will Kongaika, a sophomore majoring in finance from California, said, “I have done tai chi before. I think it is relaxing like yoga.”Zachary Kenneth, a senior from England, shared his experiences with tai chi: “I was involved with tai chi before coming to BYU-Hawaii. My family also participated in martial arts including kong fu and tai chi. I had a good experience with practicing tai chi and kong fu. It made me more stronger and flexible. I would love to do more.”Tsz Ki Ng, a freshman from Hong Kong, shared what she knows about tai chi: “My father is a tai chi participant. Several times, he joined the national tai chi competitions and achieved the ranks. He kept practicing it everyday for more than three years. At the beginning, he decided to learn because he read from a book that practicing tai chi can improve your brain and breathing. Later he took a few classes and then started to learn following a DVD all by himself.”A study from last year published in National Center for Biotechnology Information showed tai chi participants’ brains had greater development in connectivity, decision-making, and attention than the people who had never done tai chi.The study also found practicing tai chi can improve practitioners’ “balance, leg strength, cardiovascular endurance, pulse rate, muscular flexibility, sleep habits, immune system response, happiness, sense of self-worth, and ability to concentrate and multitask during cognitive tests,” reports the New York Times. It’s an effective workout for people of any age.Ng said her father always encouraged her and her brother to learn tai chi as it is good for health. “My father said he earns more energy through practicing tai chi, and his brain became more clear and nimble. He also said Tai Chi Quan is part of Chinese traditional culture. Practicing it is also to help continue the culture.”The director of the Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine at Tufts Medical Center in Boston said tai chi “can improve both physical and psycho-social health.”However, as scientists haven’t done the research that compares the effectiveness of practicing tai chi with other activities, they can’t say yet whether tai chi has better benefits for people than other types of light-to-moderate exercise, like walking, yoga or weight training, said the New York Times. Many low-cost classes for people who are interested in learning tai chi are offered by community centers and YMCAs nationwide in the United States. People can find the a program close to their location by visiting the American Tai Chi and Qigong Association’s website at americantaichi.net.Uploaded April 2, 2015

As New York City grapples with the legality of the ban on the sale of large cups of soda and other sugary drinks, soda has increasingly come under fire for fueling the nation's rising obesity rates. But water has quietly risen to knock it off the top spot. The average amount of water people drink has increased 38 percent to about 58 gallons a year. Bottled water has led that growth with consumption nearly doubling to 21 gallons a year. BYU-Hawaii students said they are drinking more water and less soda.“I really enjoy drinking water, yet I find myself not drinking enough throughout the day,” said Uraia Levaci, a senior in social work from Laie. “I’m not sure if it’s the hassle of carrying a bottle of water everywhere I go or having to refill it all the time, but I am definitely trying to drink at least the recommended amount.” In fact, the amount of bottled water Americans drink has risen every year for more than two decades. But because of concerns that plastic bottles create too much waste, experts say bottled water could be hit by a public backlash similar to the one that has whipsawed the soda industry with pushes for bans and taxes.Bottled water that is less than a liter is already is starting to face similar opposition [legally banned]. "Good old marketing has convinced people that they should spend a lot of money on bottled water," said Salome Freud, chief of New York City's distribution water quality operations. With bottled water, people tend to buy whatever is cheapest, Freud said. That's a habit that forces companies to keep prices relatively low, which eats into profits. This is why companies are investing so heavily in developing nations such as China and India, where the appetite for soda continues to grow.“I find it wrong that companies are trying to target developing countries to sell a drink that has high fructose corn syrup, phosphoric acid, and artificial sweeteners that destroys your health,” said Tina Tinam, a junior in social work from Micronesia. “It’s not a healthy drink. I completely stopped drinking soda...I always order water, and it’s free at most restaurants.”

Whether it is because of climate or environment, students change how they dress when they leave their homes and come to Hawaii.The change in environment is why some students shed their hometown fashions. The Aloha State is known for its laid-back, hang-loose attitude. “I care more about how I look and what I wear at home than out here in Hawaii. The style goes with the laid-back lifestyle so being dressed up here doesn’t really fit in. Also, I wear more clothes at home because it is a lot colder,” said Jessica Sahlin, a sophomore in exercise and sports science from Sweden.For most students, the climate was the major reason behind their fashion changes. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the all-time low in Honolulu was 53 degrees Fahrenheit, a much warmer low than Salt Lake City, which has had a low of -30 degrees Fahrenheit. The warmer weather calls for different clothing choices. Bree Lundquist, a freshman and graphic design major from California, said, “What I would wear back home in the winter would probably be one more layer of clothing, but for spring and summer, I would wear the same things I do out here in Hawaii.”Donnie Winter, a junior in finance from California, agreed with Lundquist. He said he has made slight changes in his wardrobe since living in Hawaii. “I don’t dress that different. Maybe I wear shorts more, but I pretty much dress the same everywhere. I wear slippers a lot more here.”International student Wi Wisanbannawit, a senior in TESOL from Thailand, spoke about what she wears in her home country. “In Thailand, we wear normal clothes like everyone else on campus wears in everyday life. We only wear traditional costumes for special occasions such as Buddhist religious ceremonies, Thai traditional weddings, national festivals/holidays, etc. People also dress up when they perform Thai dancing, play musical instruments, or perform in plays.... We do have Thai casual clothes, but that’s what people back in ancient times wore. Basically, we only wear traditional clothes on special occasions or events.”