What is Tai Chi & Qigong?
Tai Chi & Qigong is a 5,000 year old ancient Chinese exercise that de-stresses the mind and body. This centuries-old, mind and body practice involves certain postures and gentle movements with mental focus, breathing, and relaxation. The practice consists of sequences of very slow controlled movements. The movements can be adapted or practiced while walking, standing, or sitting.
It is a unique practice because you perform the movements slowly and gracefully with flowing hands. This internal Chinese martial art practiced for its defense training, health benefits and meditative attributes. It boosts fitness, improves longevity and raises body awareness.
This practice trains you to develop an increased awareness of where your body holds tension which gradually over time becomes integrated into your daily life. Tai Chi is a mind-body-spirit practice as it improves one’s mental and physical health. It integrates posture, movement, breathing techniques, self-massage and focused intent.
There are 5 major styles of Tai Chi. Yang, Chen, Wu/Hao, Wu and Sun
The Yang family-style T‘ai-Chi Ch‘üan is the most popular and widely practiced style in the world today.
Qigong translates as “cultivating the Qi” and Tai Chi as “the grand ultimate”. However, they are both ways of working with Qi. They both benefit health and are complementary to each other.