Tai Chi is both a martial art and a form of meditation. As a system of exercise it is suitable for people of all ages and requires little or no special equipment. It will help you improve your physical health, it can give you skills in self defence and will teach you how to relax. Tai Chi is an ancient practice that has a history going back hundreds of years. You will recognise it as a form of internal martial [...]
Qi translates as 'energy' or 'breath'. It is what the Japanese call Ki (like in AiKiDo) and Hindus call Prana. Qi Gong means "working with the qi." It is the ancient Chinese practice of becoming aware of this life energy and learning how to control its flow. By focusing on your Qi, You can become as soft as a Baby. Dao De Jing (chap 10). Qi Gong uses a series of postures, and movements linked with deep breathing as [...]
Taijiquan and patience: a keyword in tai chi (taijiquan) is patience. Doing the slow movements makes you slow down. You have to slow down. After only a few lessons in tai chi (taijiquan) you will experience how good it feels when your heartbeat, your breathing, your whole metabolism becomes calmer. Because you have to focus on doing the movements the right way - with relaxed muscles, a good posture, shifting your weights consciously, moving against a gentle resistance, etc - your [...]
