About
Learn more about your guide Michelle and the benefits of Tai Chi and Qigong
Michelle
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Tai Chi
Qigong
About Michelle section is currently being updated..... always striving to change and improve through training and development..... new information available soon.
What is Tai Chi?
Tai chi is an internal Chinese martial art widely practiced today for its profound health and wellness benefits. Often described as "meditation in motion," it involves a series of slow, flowing, and deliberate movements combined with deep, controlled breathing and a focused, meditative state of mind.
Key Principles and Practice
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Mind-Body Integration: Using the mind (intent) to initiate and guide the body's movements, rather than relying on muscular force.
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Relaxation (Song): Maintaining a state of deep relaxation and loose joints to allow "qi" (vital energy) and blood to flow smoothly throughout the body.
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Continuity and Flow: Movements are circular and performed without interruption, creating a continuous, seamless flow from one posture to the next.
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Balance and Posture: Maintaining an upright posture and a clear distinction between "empty" (insubstantial) and "full" (substantial) parts of the body to ensure stability and agility.
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Breathing: Coordinating movements with deep, natural, abdominal breathing.
Martial Art Origins and Modern Focus
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While modern tai chi is primarily known as a gentle exercise for health promotion and rehabilitation, it originated as an effective martial art system for self-defense.
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Martial Application: Traditional training includes bare-hand and weapon forms, partner exercises (pushing hands), striking techniques, and grappling. In its martial aspect, tai chi emphasizes using softness to redirect and overcome an opponent's hard force, rather than meeting force with force.
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Health Promotion: Over the years, the focus has largely shifted to its therapeutic benefits, making it accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels, including those with chronic conditions.
Health Benefits
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A growing body of research supports tai chi as an adjunct to standard medical treatment for a variety of conditions. Regular practice can:
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Improve balance and coordination, helping to prevent falls in older adults.
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Increase muscle strength and flexibility.
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Boost heart health, improve cardiovascular fitness, and help lower blood pressure.
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Reduce stress, anxiety, and depression due to its meditative nature.
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Alleviate chronic pain associated with conditions like low-back pain, ME, fibromyalgia, and knee osteoarthritis.
What is Qigong?
Qigong (pronounced "chee-gung") is an ancient Chinese practice that integrates coordinated body movements, deep breathing, and meditation to cultivate and balance "qi" (life force or vital energy) within the body. Rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, philosophy, and martial arts, its primary purpose is to promote physical health, mental clarity, and spiritual well-being. ​
Core Components
The practice of qigong involves three main components:
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Movement: Typically slow, gentle, and flowing movements or sustained static postures designed to stretch the body, improve balance and flexibility, and promote the smooth flow of qi through the body's energy pathways (meridians).
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Breathing: Coordinated, slow, and deep diaphragmatic breathing techniques are central to the practice, which helps to oxygenate the blood, calm the nervous system, and regulate the flow of qi.
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Mindfulness/Meditation: Focused attention, visualization, and a calm mental state are used to enhance awareness, reduce stress, and guide the internal energy flow.
Types and Applications
There are hundreds of qigong forms and styles, which can be broadly categorized by their focus:
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Medical Qigong: Focuses on healing and preventing illness, often used as a complementary therapy to conventional medical treatments to help manage symptoms of chronic conditions, reduce pain, and boost immune function.
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Martial Qigong: Emphasizes developing physical strength, endurance, and internal power for martial arts training.
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Spiritual Qigong: Aims for spiritual enlightenment or a deeper connection with the natural world through meditation, self-cultivation, and the balancing of emotions. ​
Tai chi, a popular moving meditation, is considered a form of qigong
Potential Benefits of Qigong
Regular qigong practice is believed to offer a range of physical and mental health benefits, including:
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Stress reduction and emotional balance.
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Improved physical function, balance, and flexibility.
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Enhanced mental clarity and focus.
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Potential support for conditions like high blood pressure, chronic pain, and sleep issues, though more high-quality scientific research is needed to confirm these effects.
Qigong is generally safe and accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels, as movements can be adapted to individual needs.