Benefits of Tai Chi & Qigong

The benefits of Tai Chi and Qigong; this slow holistic practice has low impact movements that incorporate posture, breathing and mental focus.  Tai Chi and Qigong cultivate smooth energy/chi flow throughout the body that calms the mind, body and breathing.

Tai Chi and Qigong improves mental and physical health as it involves every system in the body. It increases strength and also promotes spiritual development.

Physical Benefits of Tai Chi & Qigong

Tai Chi and Qigong is suitable for all ages and physical abilities because the non-jarring movements support the body’s functions toning ligaments and muscles. The continuous flowing movements massage the internal organs, through turning of the waist and limbs. This creates gentle internal pressures/compressions that benefit the organs. Unlike strength training you don’t hold any tension in your body, you remain relaxed whilst allowing your arms to float and flow.

Diaphragmatic breathing that is slow, relaxed and silent calms the nervous system and mind from mental thoughts. Practicing Tai Chi increases your breathing capacity which helps your normal breath to become significantly deeper and longer lasting, putting more oxygen into your system.

Tai Chi is especially useful for improving balance and preventing falls which is a major concern for older adults. Tai Chi helps improve balance because it targets all the physical components needed to stay upright.  Leg strength, flexibility, range of motion and reflexes all of which tend to decline with age.

Spiritual Benefits of Tai Chi & Qigong

The movements of Tai Chi generate increased energy flow through the body’s acupuncture meridian lines/channels. This can unblock, balance and open the flow of energy moving within and through these energetic channels.

Tai Chi as a martial arts practice is a complete meditation and spiritual practice no matter what religion you subscribe to. The core element of a spiritual practice is that it provides a method of self-discovery that brings you into a realisation of the greater whole.

 

“Resting still, the body is left in peace.
Great movement exhausts the body and fevers the mind.
Stillness and tranquility give a clear vision to the nature of all things.”
Lao Tsu