Chi Gong and Tai Chi Classes
About Chi Gong
“Just as a door hinge will not rust if it is used, so the body will attain health by gently moving and exercising all of the limbs.”
— Hua Tuo (Chinese Physician, c. 140–208)
“Qigong means “breath exercise.” It builds and circulates our energy, integrates that energy with our minds, and unites us with nature.”
— Deng Ming-Dao
“Chi” is the vital life force energy that penetrates and permeates everything in the universe. Chi Gong is the art of working with universal life force energy, to become stronger, healthier and more at peace. Chi that moves through our entire being must flow properly, like a river. If there is a block, chi becomes stagnant and prevents other parts of the body from being nourished. If the chi flows too rapidly, it causes exhaustion of the internal organs. Chi Gong practice regulates and balances these energies.
The Eight Pieces of Brocade is a Taoist Chi Gong exercise. It is comprised of eight separate exercises, each focusing on a different physical area and chi meridian. The gentle stretching and turning movements combined with breath, loosens up the body, improves the circulation of the blood and chi, and strengthens the internal organs, It is an easy Chi Gong set to do, appropriate for all ages.
The Muscle Changing Classic is a Chi Gong set attributed to Bodhidharma (c. 5th century), the Zen Patriarch. According to tradition, he taught this to the monks of the Shaolin temple to help them endure long hours of meditation. This set includes stretches, muscle strengthening, and exercise of one’s internal organs. It comprises twelve movements. Appropriate for all ages.(***All movements will be taught with modifications to fit your needs)
Bodhidharma’s Marrow Washing Classic – Marrow Washing is a Chi Gong method that rejuvenates the bone marrow and makes the bones stronger, more pliable and more flexible. This chi gong is attributed to Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen buddhism. The set is 26 movements, both standing and moving postures.. The three sets together, Eight Pieces of Brocade, Muscle Change Classic and Marrow Washing Classic, form an excellent chi gong practice for people of all ages and experience.
The Five Animals of Hua Tuo is a therapeutic set of movements. Each animal has a different purpose. The crane is for the chi, spirit, and balance. The bear is for the kidneys, liver, and internal strength (because it’s strong and because it survives hibernation). The deer is for the sexual organs and to raise energy in the body. The monkey is for nimbleness and lightness. The tiger is for the bones and sinews. The Five Animal Frolics is one of the most valuable exercises in world culture.
About Tai Chi
“The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.”
― Joseph Campbell
“Tai Chi does not mean oriental wisdom or something exotic. It is the wisdom of your own senses, your own mind and body together as one process.”
— Chungliang Al Huang
Tai Chi is a series of individual movements linked together to flow smoothly from one form to another. The movements of Tai Chi, when performed with continuity, involve body and trunk rotation, flexion/extension of the hips and knees, weight shifting, and postural alignment.
Relaxed breath and mental focus is an integral part of Tai Chi, promoting harmony between body and mind, and is why Tai Chi is ofter referred to as “moving meditation”.
In addition to the physical movement and meditational features of its practice, Tai Chi is intended to cultivate chi, universal life energy. Tai Chi movement allows chi to circulate throughout the body via energy pathways or meridians, connecting organs, joints, and muscle groups to each other. The Tai Chi movements gently massage the internal organs, and improves the circulation of blood and fluids throughout the body.
Tai Chi practitioners experience a sense of aliveness and vitality. They experience stress reduction and gain more coordination, balance, and confidence in moving.
Tai Chi connects us with the Universe, resulting in more energy and vitality. We become more attuned with nature. Not just nature outside of us, but also the nature within us; embodying one’s “self- nature”, true nature, and awareness of Oneness with All that is and interconnectedness.
Tai Chi cultivates an overall balance between mind, body and spirit, and it is fun to do!
