Jade Dragon Tai Chi Topics

Any style of Tai Chi would be incomplete without the element of Qi gong. Qi is a Chinese word meaning “vital energy” or “life force” and gong meaning “essential foundation”. Qi gong is the energy gathering and transformative quality within the art of Tai Chi. Practicing Qi gong involves concentration of the mind and coordination of breathing and movements. This is why during and after the practice of tai chi one feels relaxed, energized and an overall feeling of well-being. If one performs the external moves without the qi gong, it is more like an empty dance of unconnected body parts devoid of any real expression, any real power. Qi gong practice can be likened to fine tuning an engine along with increasing the octane for greater horsepower. This not only enhances the performance of the engine, but keeps the valves clean. All this while conserving power and extending the overall life of the car.

Tai Chi has been called many things; a moving meditation, a flowing dance; a system of self-defense and self-healing to name just a few. But however it is perceived, to practice this ancient Chinese art form regularly brings many benefits to our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual life. Tai Chi is an unfolding process of change. It’s a specific structure of individual movements designed to open the practitioner to heightened levels of life energy. This life energy is called Qi (pronounced chi). Qi makes up our entire universe; everything in existence is Qi. Qi is the energy that makes up all form. In our physical bodies we have human Qi. Human Qi has been equated with the bio-electric energy that flows through every cell that makes up all the tissue of every organ. Essentially, our physical bodies are a network of vibrational frequencies that when in balance, resonate harmoniously to create vital health and well-being. If these frequencies are out of resonance, the vital balance is lost, and our health and well-being diminishes. Tai Chi practice involves Qi gong (pronounced chi gong), which is the mental participation in the process of energy balancing. In other words, we consciously participate in our own internal process. If we look at the static postures of Tai Chi we see the structure. If we look at the movement of the postures we see the function of Qi. The structure of the postures largely determine the function of the energy or Qi flow. This is why it is important that we posture correctly, because if the posture is out of alignment, the Qi flow could be impeded and energy balance could be lost. The Qi gong of Tai Chi promotes internal balance and allows for individual expression. This can be seen by watching a group of people perform. Even though many people are practicing the same form; no two people will express it in the same way. Our Qi flow effects our life expression in a very unique way.