“Grand ultimate fist”, “meditation in motion”… this is the translation of the ancient Chinese discipline of taiji that consists of slow, refined kung fu movements. Taiji is not only rich in philosophy, but also an excellent means improving one’s mental and physical health. Balance increases, the muscular-skeletal system is strengthened; stress levels diminish, the organ energy system is balanced and an overall sense of renewed spirit and energy is what you can expect from the daily practice of tai chi.
Taiji has become very popular today and is attracting the interest of more and more Westerners. Suited for people of all ages, especially for seniors, this healing exercise and martial art enhances the “chi” or vital energy within the body, as the practitioner performs an effortless, gentle and graceful flow of total body movements. The movements of tai chi require concentration of the mind. Without the focus and concentration of the mind it is merely a physical exercise. We use the mind, rather than force to move the body. A sound mind leads to a downward flow of chi, which affects sound pulse conditions (diastole of blood vessels).
In the training of taiji, we emphasize correct posture. Your spine is the “main cable” of your body. When you have the correct postural alignment, your spine becomes like a hollow conduit allowing heaven chi and earth chi to flow through the spinal column and circulate through the body providing greater health. The body will increase its ability to ward off disease and various disorders by enhancing the immune system.
Taiji has its roots in the philosophy of Yin and Yang. We seek balance in life and in our bodies. Everything in this world is made up of complementing opposites. You cannot have a back without a front, advance and retreat, up and down, hard and soft. In understanding this philosophy, we then begin to train our movements with the objective of seeking harmony and balance. With taiji and meditation together, silence becomes the ground of action and action, the expression of silence, the full range of yin and yang.
There are hundreds of well-documented scientific case studies indicating better cardiovascular health, curing insomnia, less incidences of falls in Seniors, increased bone density and recovering from surgery and illnesses at a much quicker rate. Suited for all ages, you train at your own pace. This is the exercise we can grow old with to stay young.
Qi, or Chi, is energy and gong means work or skill, time spent accomplishing a skill, the art of perseverance. According to Chinese medical theory, qi is the vital life force and power that flows through all living things. Good health means a full and flowing supply of chi. Stress, worry and poor health habits deplete and dissipate chi.
Qigong is a 4000-year-old Chinese system of healing and therapeutic exercises, well known for preventing illness and treating disease. Mental concentration, visual imagery, postures and movements, combine to help cleanse the energy channels (acupuncture meridians) of blockages. This unique type of mind-body training affects the psycho-neuro-immunological response, thereby creating optimum health of mind, body and spirit.
The body begins to collect instead of continually disperse energy, which is what happens when we experience mental, emotional and physical stress. The goal is not to expend your energy entirely, but to keep about 25% on reserve so that it becomes available when you need it. It is energy saving, less becomes more; you begin to build strength from the inside out. Qigong training gives you greater mileage from a smaller output of energy and helps to restore depleted energy reserves. These changes are measurable. Studies indicate that during the practice
of Qigong, oxygen consumption is reduced by 31% and metabolic rate by about 29%.
Qigong is a way to prevent disease and improve health. Patients who practice self-healing qigong exercises recover more quickly and gain the skills necessary to take charge of one’s own health. This is your self-care piece.
There has been an increasing acceptance of qigong in the West, as more and more practitioners can attest to its wonderful health value on the mind and body. It is considered to be one of the most widely scientifically studied exercises known today. Research has revealed that Qi Gong promotes the healing of gastrointestinal disorders, hypertension, heart disease, stress, insomnia, arthritis, anxiety, cancer and many other illnesses.
Qigong is for all age groups, no matter what physical condition you are in. It can be done standing, sitting or lying down. Train at your own pace and you will begin to see the positive changes. This is the exercise we can grow old with to stay young!
Taiji (Tai Chi) and Qigong (Chi Gong) are forms of complementary, alternative, integrative medicine and healing exercise techniques. It is not meant to take the place of diagnosis or treatment by your Physician. You should never experience pain in your training. With continued practice, you will be able to listen to the wisdom of your body more and more and know when to stop. No one knows your body better than you!
See video below to learn even more about Qigong:
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