What are Tai Chi and Qigong?
Tai chi is an ancient Chinese tradition. This moving mediation is practiced as a graceful form of exercise, involving a series of movements, performed in a slow, focused manner, accompanied by deep breathing. Each posture flows into the next without pause. Your body is in constant motion. Tai chi has many styles and variations within each style. Some focus on martial arts aspects, while others, such as Tai Chi Easy ™, focus on health improvement, health maintenance and stress reduction.
Tai chi is a form of qigong.
Qigong (also spelled Ch'i Kung) is a powerful system of healing and energy medicine from China. It's the art and science of using breathing techniques, gentle movement, and meditation to cleanse, strengthen, and circulate the life energy (qi). Qigong practice leads to better health and vitality and a tranquil state of mind.
I like to keep things interesting -- for me and my students . In many of my classes, as time permits, I'll add elements of other practices -- tai chi walking, for instance, or qigong exercises for the eyes.