About Tai Chi/Qigong

There are many forms of Tai Chi and many spellings. Qigong (or Chi Kung) is known as “the mother of Tai Chi,” and it was developed before the martial arts influence. When Qigong mixed with martial arts, it became Tai Chi.

The Chinese believe to “strain is not to gain.” They also believe that one must have a strong mind/body connection to feel “inside the body” and recognize when energy is “out of balance.” The practice of this “moving meditation” will enhance the mind/body connection and allow one to have more of a connection with the internal body. Qigong and Tai Chi are exercises as well as meditations. You will move every muscle, joint, bone, and organ of the body but in a slow and methodical way. Breathing techniques will enhance your practice. The exercises specifically for the joints will help you maintain your flexibility and regain some of the lost flexibility. This is a very gentle program and therefore is perfect for rehabilitation. One should always consult one’s Doctor before starting a new exercise program.

Benefits

Qigong helps to improve your overall health, body flexibility, balance and breathing.

You will exercise every joint, muscle, bone and organ in your body in a slow and methodical way.

To have even one Chinese moving meditation form for your use as you age will be a gift to your mind, body and spirit.

Qigong is an excellent practice for almost anyone!

People who learn and practice Qigong report wonderful results in pain management, stress reduction, increased energy and flexibility, better sleeping and overall improved health.

WHERE TO START?

Blooming Lotus Instructors offer many class options.  Tai Chi for Health programs may offer a gentle introduction to Tai Chi and Qi Gong practice. As a student progresses they may find that they would like to advance their practice to incorporate Nam Hoa Internal Arts training. Take time to review the information about Tai Chi for Health Forms and Nam Hoa Internal Arts Forms.  Feel free to contact instructors if you have any questions.

May 18, 2014

An interesting article in OT Practice was published on April 28, 2014 about using Tai Chi Chuan to augment traditional occupational therapy rehabilitation techniques. The title of the article is We-wi (“Without Effort”) Using Tai Chi Chuan to Promote Occupational Performance by Richard Sabel and Bill Gallagher (pp 16-19). Some of our favorite practices were included in this article-including Cloud Hands and Standing Stake. It is heartening to see the integration of eastern and western health practices.

SCIENTIFIC STUDIES

For those who appreciate evidence based practice these resources were compiled by the Tai Chi For Health Institute.

  1. National Institute of Health: National Centre of Complementary and Alternative Medicine http://nccam.nih.gov/health/taichi/
  2. Rhayun Song, Eun-Ok Lee, Paul Lam, Sang-Cheol Ba; “Effects of tai chi exercise on pain, balance, muscle strength, and physical functioning in older women with osteoarthritis: A randomized clinical trial”, The Journal of Rheumatology, September, 2003.
  3. Dr Choi J.H., Moon J.S. and Song R. (2005) “The Effects of Sun-Style Tai Chi Exercise on Physical Fitness and Fall Prevention in Fall-Prone Adults”, Journal of Advanced Nursing, 51(2), 150-157
  4. Fransen M, Nairn L, Winstanley J, Lam P, Edmonds J. A; “Randomized Control Trial Of 200 Subjects Comparing Tai Chi, Hydrotherapy And Control, To Measure Improvement In Pain, Physical Function, Muscular Strength And Walking Capacity”. Arthritis Care and Research.. Vol.57, No.3, April 15, 2007, pp 407-414.
  5. Alexander Voukelatos, MA (Psychol),_ Robert G. Cumming, PhD,wz Stephen R. Lord, DSc, and Chris Rissel, PhD; “A Randomized, Controlled Trial of tai chi for the Prevention of Falls: The Central Sydney Tai Chi Trial”. Journal of American Geriatrics Society, AUGUST 2007–VOL. 55, NO. 8.
  6. Ching-Huey Chen, Miaofen Yen, Susan Fetzer, Li-Hua Lo, Paul Lam; “The Effects of Tai Chi Exercise on Elders with Osteoarthritis: A Longitudinal Study”, Asian Nursing Research December 2008 Vol 2 No 4.
  7. Harvard Medical Newsletter: https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletters/Harvard_Womens_Health_Watch/2009/May/The-health-benefits-of-tai-chi
  8. New Zealand, Accident Compensation Corporation: http://www.acc.co.nz/preventing-injuries/at-home/older-people/information-for-older-people/modified-tai-chi-classes/PI00015
  9. J Tuomilehto & Associates, Department of Epidemiology and Health Promotion Helsinki, 3 May 2001. Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus by Changes in Lifestyle Among Subjects With Impaired Glucose Tolerance. The New England Journal of Medicine.
  10. Lai J, Lan C, Wong M and Teng S. 1995. Two-Year Trends in Cardiorespiratory Function Among Tai Chi Chuan Practitioners and Sedentary Subjects. Journal of American Geriatrics Society, 43(11), p 1222-1227.
  11. Wolfson L, Whipple R, Cerby C, Judge J, King M, Amerman P, Schmidt J and Smyers D. 1996. Balance and Strength Training in Older Adults: Intervention Gains and Tai Chi Maintenance. Journal of American Geriatric Society, 44(5), p 498-506.
  12. Lan C, Lai J, Chen S and Wong M. 2000. Tai Chi Chuan to Improve Muscular Strength and Endurance in Elderly Individuals: a Pilot Study. Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 81(5), 604-607.
  13. Hong Y, Li X and Robinson P. 2000. Balance Control, Flexibility, and Cardiorespiratory Fitness Among Older Tai Chi Practitioners. British Journal of Sport Medicine, 34(1), p 29-34.
  14. Wang J, Lan C and Wong M. 2001. Tai Chi Chuan Training to Enhance Microcirculatory Function in Healthy Elderly Men. Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 82(9), p 1176-1180.
  15. Brown D, Wang Y, Ebbeling C, Fortlage L, Puleo E, Benson H and Rippe J. 1995. Chronic Psychological Effects of Exercise and Exercise Plus Cognitive Strategies. Medicine & Science in Sports and Exercise, 27(5), p 765-775.