What is Tai Chi –
“ultimate/supreme polarity”
(chi – here denoting yin and yang)
- ancient chinese tradition
- non competitive martial arts
- practical system of self-defence
- health benefits
- stretching
- mindfulness
- soft internal martial arts style
- types of tai chi : chen – hard-yang- soft,wu-soft
- the soft styles develop health
- the hard styles develop power
- a series of continuous, circular, slow, relaxed and smooth, flowing movements
- tai chi forms follow certain rules :
- they involved intricate body mechanics
- the direction and flow of the energy and power
- within the body are controlled by the form
- the forms stimulate the energy and power freeing up blocked pathways =
- free the chi
What is Qi Gong
“cultivating energy”
(qi – here denoting energy)
- ancient chinese health care system
- integrates :
- physical postures
- breathing techniques
- focussed attention
- soft internal style
- (1) martial
- (2) medical
- (3) spiritual
- qi gong as a generic term for health and strengthening exercises was not coined until about 50 years ago.
- practices vary from :
- to more vigour- kung fu/ karate/jujitsu – defence and martial arts with fighting element.
- qi gong forms are free improvement and can be merged with an individual’s moving manner
- not as intricate at tai chi forms
- same healing benefits.