Meditation in Motion: Sport Type and Meditation Level Shape Gut Microbiota Profiles in Aikido and Tai Chi Practitioners
Microorganisms January 24, 2026 Tehreema Ghaffar, Veronica Volpini, Francesca Ubaldi et al.
Regular practice of meditative movement disciplines such as Tai Chi and Aikido is associated with distinct patterns of gut bacteria composition, though not with overall microbial diversity. In 42 adult practitioners, those with deeper meditation states showed different bacterial community structures compared to those with shallower states. Specific beneficial bacteria linked to short-chain fatty acid production, like Faecalibacterium and Roseburia, were more abundant in Aikido practitioners who reported higher meditation depth, while Tai Chi practitioners had higher levels of Prevotella and Collinsella. These findings are preliminary and hypothesis-generating due to the cross-sectional design, and further longitudinal research is needed.