Tai Chi: Expert Guides and Resources

The ancient practice of T’ai Chi and Qigong includes postures and movements, as well as a philosophy. T’ai Chi also has its own lingo — words and concepts you need to know.Basic T'ai Chi and Qigong movementsIf you’re practicing the ancient postures of T’ai Chi, you need to become familiar and fluid in adopting the basic stances and movements.

Qigong (chee-gung) covers a lot of different types of movements and practices that involve using and feeling the body's energy. That can include being healed by someone else's energy, passively meditating in a way that unblocks and uses your energy better, and moving in a meditative way that unblocks your energy channels.

Wellness for energy and happiness is not only about the movements (or forms) you practice, but about the principles by which you practice the movements. If you tap into the principles properly, you discover the stillness in the movement and, in turn, the energy that flows through your spirit. Slowing down — Principle #1 Go slowly.

Mind-body movements rely on a good and full energy flow. But even non-mindful movements require the power that comes with a surge of focused energy! Ever turn on the hose to water your garden or lawn, only to have a mere trickle of water dribble out? Chances are, the first thing you did was size up the length of the hose for a twist or a kink.

T’ai Chi is heavily steeped in Taoist philosophy. So knowing the basics about how to live that philosophy can give your T’ai Chi practice a real boost. And knowing the why and wherefore behind a form can help you do it better! Wellness tip #1: Weigh your effort Westerners tend to do harder than they need to most of the time — force the lid off the jar, jam the car into the smallest parking space, lift too much weight in the gym, and so on.

The mind has been shown to have a powerful effect on the body, whether spiritually or just hopefully. Meditative and mindful movement takes this power and actively applies it. So whether you believe in the mindful benefit, the spiritual benefit, the healing energy pulsing through the body, or, well, you just believe, you may indeed find what you want or need.

Chi, your energy source, flows throughout the body. By practicing mindful awareness through standing or walking, you become aware of your chi and encourage free movement through the body. Mindful standing You use this to figure out how to move your chi in its orbit through your body. At first, you let your hands and arms take part in the circling to help move along your chi.

You don’t have to munch on mung beans and tofu to embrace T’ai Chi and its principles as a part of your life, day-in and day-out. Following a T’ai Chi path means just looking at, experiencing, and reacting to things a little differently. It provides a means for changing your life physically, mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually.

Breath is life. Breath is energy. You can live for weeks without food and for days without water, but only for minutes without breathing the air in and out of your body. Breathing not only keeps you alive, but it also gives you more energy and more calm so you can face what life brings you. That’s why breathing is so vital.