What are Tai Chi & Qi Gong?
Tai Chi ( or Taiji, both often followed by quan or chuan) means the ‘Supreme Ultimate’ and is the expression of the Daoist view of the universe through the body. Daoism is an ancient religion in China and its followers have always used a range of mind-body practices to both cultivate their health and defend themselves. Tai Chi is simultaneously a health practice and martial art, a system of slow, relaxed bodily movements performed while regulating the breath and calming the mind. Deep mental absorption in the movements is crucial, to the point where you forget your ‘thinking self’, along with the associated worries and concerns. Tai Chi has become the world’s most popular martial art, practiced by around million people worldwide (all ages, including people with disabilities).
Qi (pronounced “chi”) Gong sequences are also mind-body practices from Daoist traditions. Historically, Tai Chi evolved as a martial art with additional health-promoting elements, whilst Qi Gong is dedicated to the cultivation of health. Qi Gong can both be static postures (resembling Indian Yoga) and moving sequences (which can be confused for Tai Chi from the outside). A reliable external difference is that most Qi Gong sequences have fewer unique movements that are repeated more, whereas a Tai Chi form (set sequence of movements) contains diverse movements linked together within an evolving sequence.
The benefits of Tai Chi for people with neurological conditions have been studied by researchers (see more). Characteristics of Tai Chi that seem helpful on first glance include the use of the whole body in movements (which compensates for specific loss of function in one part of the body), a slow pace (which is accessible for people with slowed motor speed and speed of information processing), and controlled breathing (which helps regulate anxiety and anger).
Qi (pronounced “chi”) Gong sequences are also mind-body practices from Daoist traditions. Historically, Tai Chi evolved as a martial art with additional health-promoting elements, whilst Qi Gong is dedicated to the cultivation of health. Qi Gong can both be static postures (resembling Indian Yoga) and moving sequences (which can be confused for Tai Chi from the outside). A reliable external difference is that most Qi Gong sequences have fewer unique movements that are repeated more, whereas a Tai Chi form (set sequence of movements) contains diverse movements linked together within an evolving sequence.
The benefits of Tai Chi for people with neurological conditions have been studied by researchers (see more). Characteristics of Tai Chi that seem helpful on first glance include the use of the whole body in movements (which compensates for specific loss of function in one part of the body), a slow pace (which is accessible for people with slowed motor speed and speed of information processing), and controlled breathing (which helps regulate anxiety and anger).
