SpanishFitnessBootCamp

More About Qi Gong And Tai Chi

After writing yesterday’s blog it occurred to me that some of you might not have come across Qi Gong before. For a start it has many different spellings which is enough to confuse anyone! Chi Kung, Qigong… then there’s Tai Chi, Taiji, Taijiquan…

So what is it? You may have seen images of China where people on the street are performing beautiful slow movements in unison. You may have seen it in a martial arts film. Well, that’s Tai Chi or Qi Gong.

That's Professor Li, one of the foremost teachers in China. Gill my teacher goes almost every year to study with him.

The fundamentals of Tai Chi and Qi Gong are the same, but the difference according to one of my teachers, is that in Tai Chi each movement has to have a martial arts application.

According to the National Qigong (Chi Kung) Association of America

‘Qigong is an ancient Chinese health care system that integrates physical postures, breathing techniques and focused intention.’

This doesn’t even come close to describing the magic that is Qi Gong or Tai Chi…

What Are You Laughing At!

We've heard often enough that Laughter Is The Best Medicine. An old boss even lent me his copy of the Blues Brothers when I was going through a tough patch!

We can tap into the healing power of laughter at any time. (Although, I wouldn't recommend doing the exercise below in public, unless you are incredibly well adjusted and have a high tolerance for feeling downright daft!)

My therapist, Sandra (see my last blog) introduced me to a Qi Gong exercise called the Laughing Baby!

It's really simple, you lie on your back with your arms and legs straight up in the air (just like a baby) and laugh!!!

Don't worry if at first the laughter seems a bit forced and unnatural, persevere. You might even notice a bit hysteria starts creeping in. Keep going. Eventually the ludicrousness of the situation and your position strikes you and then you just can't stop laughing!  In time the laughter will work its magic and you will notice a feeling of release. All that rubbish you are letting go of!

Try it and see!