What is Tai Chi & Qi Gong?
You will be learning the Chinese arts of Tai Chi Chuan (sometimes written as Taijiquan), and Qi Gong (sometimes written as Chi Gong). Tai Chi Chuan is pronounced as ‘tie-chee-chew-an’ and Qi Gong is pronounced as ‘key-gung’.
Tai Chi Chuan directly translated means “supreme ultimate fist.” It is a Chinese martial art that uses the principles of yin and yang. Yin and yang is a mindset that focuses on balance. Balance is achieved in life by recognizing opposites. As a self-defense concept, it is the belief that the soft and the pliable will defeat the hard and strong.
Tai Chi is a system of slow meditative, physical exercise designed for relaxation, balance and health. When performed properly, it is moving tranquility coordinated with your breath.
Learning Tai Chi teaches you three main things: A martial art, health preservation and the art of time and space.
Qi Gong is a type of Chinese breath control and a series of breathing exercises. The intention of Qi Gong is to maintain good health and control the flow of vital energy.
If Tai Chi is moving meditation, Qi Gong is breathing meditation. To better understand this concept, Qi gong can be done by standing still. However, you cannot do Tai Chi without movement and all Tai Chi forms utilize Qi Gong during the movements.
History & Styles
The history of tai chi is a fascinating mix of myth, legend and truth, with the Wudang Mountains serving as a backdrop for its mystical beginnings.
We teach the Wudang style of Tai Chi. This style hails from the Wudang mountains in the northwestern part of Hubei, China. It is considered by many as the birthplace of Tai Chi. The earliest known reference to Tai Chi is in the T’ang Dynasy (618-960 AD). Later, In 1279-1368 AD Zhang Sanfeng (aka Chang San Feng) is credited with developing the Wudang Sect of Tai Chi during the early Ming Dynasty (1368). Zhang had studied under a Taoist recluse in the Wundang Shan Mountain… a mountain held sacred by Taoists.
There are many different styles of Tai Chi. Each have their own emphasis and benefits. Some common styles are yang, sun, chen, wu and wudang. There are many other styles as well.
We teach Wudang style at our martial arts school.
Wudang style was believed to be created in 1279-1368 AD by Zhang Sanfeng. It is believed to be the oldest style but wasn’t given a name until much later. This style puts emphasis on Taoist principles of balance, serenity and being one with nature. An equal blend of the mind, body and spiritual aspects of tai chi and qi gong. The Wudang style is what the Taoist Monks practice at the Wudang temples.
Wudang Tai Chi differs from other styles in its principles. It is a balanced combination of Wushu (a martial art), wellness and art. Historically, it is based on the Tao Te Ching principles of unity of nature and man. The Toaist monks use Tai Chi for self-defense purposes and Qi Gong for their meditation practice.
All styles of Tai Chi evolved from Wudang Tai Chi but some systems have forgotten the Taoist principle of balance. Instead, they focus too much on the martial art aspect or focus solely on the health aspect.
The Wudang style of Tai Chi is a perfect balance of yin and yang, man and nature, mental and physical.
Wudang Taijiquan is the style practiced by the famed Taoist monks at the various temples and monasteries in the area. Historically speaking, the Toaist monks began using Tai Chi for self-defense purposes and Qi Gong for meditation. One of Mount Wudang’s three famous temples is the Purple Cloud monastery, where Tai Chi is practiced daily in the courtyard outside the temple.
Important Note: Tai Chi and Qi Gong are NOT a religion. Practicing these arts does NOT teach religion, nor does it take away from your own personal religious beliefs. In fact, we have found the practice of Tai Chi and Qi Gong to deepen one’s personal faith due to the quiet serenity of the practice.
Benefits of Tai Chi & Qi Gong
Tai Chi is often described as "meditation in motion," but it might as well be called "medication in motion." There is growing evidence that Tai Chi & Qi Gong can assist in treating or preventing many health problems. Tai Chi’s gentleness allows people of almost any age or physical condition to participate in it. There must be something to it as it has been practiced in China for over a thousand years!
The Harvard School of Medicine, and many other prominent research facilities, have studied the mental and physical effects of Tai Chi. Here are just some of the benefits that have been documented:
The Harvard School of Medicine, and many other prominent research facilities, have studied the mental and physical effects of Tai Chi. Here are just some of the benefits that have been documented:
- Better health. It significantly improves balance, muscular strength, endurance, and flexibility.
- Asthma improvement. The breathing techniques are incredibly beneficial for sufferers of asthma.
- Increased aerobic capacity. This has been demonstrated even in older adults (ages 55+) who practiced Tai Chi at least once per week.
- Stress relief. The breathing, movement, and mental concentration creates a sense of calmness.
- Improved joint health. The importance of proper postures and slow, fluid body movements protect and strengthens a Tai Chi practitioner’s joints for long-term health.
- Fibromyalgia improvement. FM sufferers often see improvement in their symptoms and health-related quality of life.
- Internal organ health. Tai Chi’s spiraling movements, breathing and meditation components, massages the internal organs. This eliminates constrictions brought about by stress, poor posture, and difficult working conditions. It also aids the exchange of gases in the lungs and assists the digestive system.
How to get started
To begin your Tai Chi & Qi Gong journey, we ask that you call or text us at 417-319-1444. We will assist you in scheduling your first visit and class time.
We look forward to teaching you!
We look forward to teaching you!
