Tai Chi

While Wu Chi meditation is one of the easiest standing meditations to practice it is also one of the most important to learn. One of the three most important skills needed when practicing any of the movement arts is focus. We must learn to develop our inner vision. This is what Wu Chi standing meditation does for us. When we have completed our meditation session we will have a much deeper connection with not only our entire body but also the seat of our "chi", our internal energies. Until we establish this connection the exercises that we do, all of our form work, will have only minimal effect. ...

We cannot see the chemicals that carry electrical signals from our brain throughout nervous system but we know from scientific research that those signals are there. These signals cause reactions, both physical and mental, which lead us through the activities of our day. If a person's ability to create adrenalin for instance they will lose the "fight or flight" instinctive reaction. The force that drives these necessary chemicals in our bodies is called in Eastern thought the "chi". The chi is stored in the body at one of the three "dantien" points and is drawn from two places: Our breathing takes in some of this vital energy and our contact with the Earth the rest. ...

The movement arts have come a long way since they were first introduced into Western society. The Eastern and Western approaches to health maintenance have traditionally been much different. In Eastern theory our bodies produce and use natural energies to help heal the body, to reduce tensions, and to keep the body healthy. In the West the approach is usually much different. Instead of using the body’s internal force Western doctors have used external influences to change physical conditions. This is accomplished in numerous ways, such as pharmaceuticals, radiation and impact therapies. ...

In this episode of Qigong Radio, Don Miller and I explore the essential elements of Tai Chi Balance Training. As you probably know, Tai Chi is being used more and more for falls prevention programs for the elderly and becoming a mainstream part of the Western medical vocabulary. But what are the actual elements that make up a great Tai Chi balance training program? How can you use them for your own well-being? ...

Our breathing is the foundation upon which we are built. When our breathing (free audio download) stops, we die. When it slows down we become sick and weak. Every time we take a breath we pull in atoms of our beings. Oxygen flows through us, through our heart and brains, providing our bodies with the things they need. Every cell in our body is replaced every seven to ten years, which means that the body that you currently inhabit is not the one that you were born with. ...

There are different methods for qigong walking. In one school, qigong walking is called Kung and is one of the main exercises in Guolin Qigong. Medical therapists are currently using walking Qigong in the treatment of Crones Disease and even cancer. Developed more than 30 years ago it helped its creator, Madam Guolin recover from cancer and has now spread all over the world. This not an exercise that can really be learned from written instructions however and bringing your movements into total harmony will take time. But this exercise is one of the most effective in the movement arts to help improve balance and flexibility. I understand that some of you might not be able to access and instructor however, and so I created a simple sample that you can try: ...

When many people see people engaged in Qigong exercises the movements appear both smooth and effortless, while at the same time they seem incredibly complex. When these same people begin training and discover that the purpose of Qigong training is to manipulate the Qi meridians it seems impossible to understand. When we gain control of these meridians however we are enhancing the vital life forces that are constantly moving through our bodies. While it seems extremely difficult to reach such a state without decades of hard work, the fact is that it is really no more difficult than climbing a staircase. ...

We often talk about the way Tai Chi can improve your physical health and mental and emotional well-being from the point of view of the practitioner. But not everyone out there is as familiar with practical ways to use Tai Chi to support their health and wellness goals as you may be. Later this year, I’m thrilled to have the chance to share Tai Chi with physicians in a course at Harvard Medical School. It’s always exciting to be able to present a combination of research and practice to knowledgeable caregivers, especially because in this case, the focus of the course is on promoting healthy, active lifestyles to their patients. What do you think I should share with them? If you have suggestions for what I should cover, please leave a note in the comments. ...

One of the biggest problems in today's technological world is lower back problems. Because so many people spend a good part of their day sedentary, either sitting down or humped over an LCD screen. The posture that eventually develops can get severe enough to actually cause breathing problems because it not only interferes with the circulation of blood, but also the circulation of the body's energy by corrupting the integrity of the spine. The best way to correct and avoid this potentially crippling problem is to get to know the spine by doing spine lengthening exercises on a regular basis. ...

As Tai Chi Master Cheng Man Ching is famous for saying, “Tai Chi Chuan, the great ultimate, strengthens the weak, raises the sick, invigorates the debilitated, and encourages the timid.” I believe that many of these benefits come from building stronger legs. Not only do these exercises solve the obvious physical problems that come from weak legs, but when you feel more stable, planted, and connected to the earth, you get a major boost of confidence, self-assurance, and drive. ...