The Health Benefits of Tai Chi and Qigong

When you begin delving into mind-body practices, you unearth a slew of exercises and methods from several ancient civilizations. In Chinese medicine and health practices, two meditative martial arts, Tai Chi and Qigong, have been gaining immense popularity throughout the world. This is not solely a class for the elderly and slow moving. Tai Chi and Qigong both have benefits for unleashing your natural energy, also known as “chi” or “qi.”

Moving Meditation
Let us have a look at Tai Chi, also known as Taijiquan in Chinese, first. The practice was developed for Wushu and features slow, tranquil, fluid movements that blend together into a dance. These gentle movements help the body and mind find harmony while improving alertness, mobility in the limbs, and suppleness of joints. Anyone, regardless of age or fitness level, will find that they can practice Tai chi without an issue.

“Tai Chi is often described as ‘meditation in motion,’ but it might well be called ‘medication in motion.’ There is growing evidence that this mind-body practice…has value in treating or preventing many health problems,” reported Harvard Women’s Health Watch in 2009.

Now, for Qigong (chee-gong) or Chi Kung, as the Chinese call it. The full name can be translated as “cultivation of energy.”
“Qigong is more than a set of exercises, it is an attitude that works to restructure one’s perspective on life, leading to balance and harmony with the world around us,” states Garri Garripoli in Qigong: Essence of the Healing Dance.

For this reason, think of Qigong as a martial art that is also medical and spiritual. Qigong is often compared to yoga, where the body is gently limbered up and strengthened. The difference is that Qigong is more focused on bringing forth healing energies. Like Tai Chi, Qigong is perfect for those with limited movement, joint conditions, or extra weight.

They are not heart-pumping workouts, though they do work the entire body—muscles, connective tissues, and even posture. Moreover, they cultivate a sense of wellness while making the body feel limitless and free.

Why You Need Tai Chi and Qigong
If you are a normal human being, you are probably flooded with the stress hormone called cortisol. It is unfortunately a byproduct of today’s lifestyle. Maybe you have high blood pressure, arthritis, or a metabolic syndrome.

Tai Chi and Qigong may not burn a load of calories like high-intensity interval training, but they do make you feel better. Research has proven that you release cortisol when you practice these martial arts forms, regulate your hormones, boost your mood, and even find stability, mobility, and flexibility the longer you practice Tai Chi and Qigong.

Furthermore, when you physically and mentally connect, you open the window to a greater spiritual experience.

Tai Chi and Qigong bring our frazzled, overworked minds back to the here and now. That is why practitioners will tell you that they experience much more clarity even since adding a session or two into their daily lives. You learn to worry less about physical disabilities and negative emotions, effectively relaxing the body. I do not know about you, but any “workout” that helps me release stress and anxiety is a winner.

In short, the health benefits of Tai Chi and Qigong are numerous. Physically, you can improve your posture and flexibility. Mentally, you regain lucidity. Put those two together, and you have a practice that is comparable to the benefits of yoga but safe for even those in a wheelchair. When you need to get grounded ASAP, you need Qigong or Tai Chi.