Introduction to Tai Chi Qi Gong

What is Taiji?

In the context of what is being taught by the UKTQF, Taiji or Tai Chi is a philosophical concept that as be interpreted as follows:

a. The ‘grand ultimate’
b. The ‘ highest achievement’
c. The ‘spirit of wholeness’

However for the purpose of this explanation we will try and keep it simple and define it as the ‘very best’.

What is Qi Gong?

Qigong is often interpreted as ‘Energy work’. This energy work primarily consists of developing proper posture, breathing practice and positive intent through movement, and to integrate this into our daily lives.

The term Qigong is a relatively modern term formulated by the Chinese Government in the 1950’s as an umbrella term to cover a number of areas thought of as energy work. These can be placed under three main headings.

Martial: This includes Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan) the most popular of the martial energy work systems, Baguazhang, Xingyiquan and Bajiquan.

Medical/Health: Wild Goose Qigong, Buddha Palm, Kaimen, Baduanjin, Liangong etc. All of these systems work to provide optimum health and well being for all those who practise them.

Religious/Philosophical: Taoism; Confucianism and Chan Buddhism (known in Japan as Zen).

These three headings provide only a crude differentiation. In reality there is a substantial overlap between the groups, which leads to a more complete understanding of energy work.

The terms Tai Chi Chi Gong (Taiji Qigong) then can be said to be ‘The Very Best of Energy Work’, working with the body and mind to improve energy flow to increase health.

Taiji Qigong consists of mind and body exercises that emphasise the function and application of Qi. They utilize the body’s energy to improve the practitioner’s physical strength through working directly on the immune and central nervous system, thereby aiding in the cure of illness and disease.

The practice of Taiji Qigong helps to calm the mind and develop the body, by focusing on the connected practice of a prescribed set of slow moving exercises. On a physical level, learning clear principles of Taiji Qigong helps to develop body awareness, improving deep stabilising muscles, balance, posture, strength, agility and rhythm. The practice of Taiji Qigong can therefore help people to move, stand, balance, walk and run with greater confidence and fluidity through a greater understanding and sensitivity of the body.

Western Science recognizes the following benefits of practising Taiji Qigong:

• Increased oxygen uptake and utilisation
• Reduced blood pressure,
• Slower declines in cardiovascular power,
• Increased bone density,
• Increased strength and range of motion of joints,
• Greater leg strength and flexibility,
• Reduced levels of stress hormones during and after practice, improved immune function, and heightened mood states.
• By a process of relaxing muscular tensions, improving posture, and a deepening of the breathing process, affects, the stress levels of the mind and emotions are reduced.

Taiji Qigong is an accessible, low impact, sustainable method of preventative medicine, and as a result the popularity of Tajij Qigong is growing throughout the world.