Qigong, “working the energy of the body,” is an essential component of traditional Chinese medicine. The art developed thousands of years ago to maintain the health of the body, mind, and spirit. It is a very organic system, based on the elements of nature. OVER THE YEARS, MANY DIFFERENT STYLES OF QIGONG HAVE EVOLVED, WITH TAI CHI BEING ONE OF THEM.
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Twin Ponds Integrative Health Center.
TAI CHI
Recent publications from The New England Journal of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and other universities attest to the growing interest in this modality as a method of “whole body health care.”
Tai chi, often called “moving meditation,” is a discipline that integrates mind, body, and spirit as participants practice a series of slow moving martial arts exercises, called “forms.”
IT IS BELIEVED THAT TAI CHI:
- increases strength and
- promotes calm and harmony by Improving the flow of energy in the body.
AS A FORM OF EXERCISE, TAI CHI HAS BEEN SHOWN TO:
- lessen the pain of arthritis by strengthening the muscles around the joints,
- improving balance and
- increasing cardiovascular health.
MANY PARTICIPANTS FIND THAT THEY ARE:
- better able to concentrate,
- the quality of their sleep improves,
- they have more energy, and
- can cope with day-to-day stresses more easily.
NUMEROUS STUDIES HAVE PROVEN THAT REGULAR PRACTICE OF TAI CHI CAUSES:
- a reduction in the number of falls among the participants.
THE COORDINATION OF BREATH WITH MOVEMENT AND THE FOCUSED CONCENTRATION ON SLOW, GENTLE, STRUCTURED MOVEMENT PATTERNS DEVELOP:
- the calming aspects of tai chi.
STUDENTS LEARN HOW TO KEEP:
- the muscles active but relaxed,
- the mind alert but calm, and
- the body movements slow but well coordinated.
Tai chi falls under the broad umbrella of qigong, but is a well-defined art taught with more discipline and precision. It has a martial basis, although, like all qigong, has elements of medical and spiritual as well. Because of the martial basis, it is more physically complex to learn, and engages more of the brain for learning, memorization, and cognition in general.
It is physically more challenging, involving more stepping patterns, turning, kicking, etc., although all done slowly and with control.
The moves are easily adapted for all levels of physical capability, including middle aged and older adults who have not been recently active. It is a daily practice for health maintenance and stress reduction that students can do on their own. The goal is for the participants to become independent tai chi practitioners. Practice outside of class is essential for learning this art form.
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QIGONG
Qigong, “working the energy of the body,” is an essential component of traditional Chinese medicine. The art developed thousands of years ago to maintain the health of the body, mind, and spirit. It is a very organic system, based on the elements of nature.
Qigong is an ancient Chinese healing modality, which translated, means “cultivating the life force,” Through breath awareness, posture, mental focus and simple movements, qi (energy) is increased and circulated throughout the body.
THIS LIFE FORCE CAN THEN BE DIRECTED FOR IMPROVING:
- vitality,
- self -healing, and
- health enhancement.
IN THIS CLASS WE WILL PRACTICE OLD AND NEW QIGONG TECHNIQUES TO:
- cultivate energy (qi),
- cleanse the organs,
- open the joints, and
- bring the mind, body, and spirit into greater harmony.
THE NATIONAL QIGONG ASSOCIATION SAYS, “THE GENTLE, RHYTHMIC MOVEMENTS OF QIGONG:
- reduce stress,
- build stamina,
- increase vitality, and
- enhance the immune system.
IT HAS ALSO BEEN FOUND TO IMPROVE:
- cardiovascular
- respiratory,
- circulatory, lymphatic, and
- digestive functions.”
No previous experience is necessary, and the movements can be easily adapted if need be,so all participants can reap the full benefits.
Learn About Qigong & Tai Chi from ABC News
