Meditation has been around for about 5000 years. It spread to Western society thousands of years after it was adopted in the East. It finally started to really gain popularity in the West in the middle of the 20th century. Now more and more researchers are studying this kind of practice, and proving that there is a lot of value to this ancient practice. We are learning more and more about the multitude of benefits that come from practicing regular meditation.
Qi Gong and Tai Chi practice are a kind of moving meditation. This is a higher level of meditation which can provide even more health and healing benefits, including: mind, body, organs, immune system, brain, anti-aging, performance of tasks, creativity, organizational skill, emotional balance, social skill, healing, energy, martial skill, happiness, and more.
In Qi Gong and Tai Chi practice, one of the most important aspects is Relaxation. This is something many people have hard time finding, often because of the lack of well trained instructors. Some people study Qi Gong and Tai Chi for years. They practice the movements, but don’t get the meditation part because they are unable to relax. Some instructors strictly focus on movements which make students more anxious. Practicing without relaxation affects their learning, healing and they don’t get the maximum benefits that Qi Gong and Tai Chi have to offer.
Qi Gong and Tai Chi is not about how perfectly you can perform the movements. It is about how well you move your Qi (internal energy), how relaxed you can be, how aware you are of your energy center and that all parts of the body follow the energy center. It is about how smooth and well controlled your breath is, and how focused you are during the practice. All these things come from your intention.
Qi Gong is easier than Tai Chi. It is becoming more popular due to its healing benefits and the fact that everyone can do it. Tai Chi has many layers, like when you peel an onion. Every year you learn more no matter how skilled you are at it. For beginners, you get the meditation and relaxation benefits; for advanced practitioners or students, you develop stronger Qi and martial skills, and self defense skill. As you become more advanced, your life has an incredible quality and nothing can affect you and nothing can bring you down. This is what we consider reaching to the Qi summit. How to do we get there? It starts with relaxation, then persistent practice, and continuing to learn from the master.
In this New Year of 2015, let’s spread the word about the healing power of Qi. Let’s start working on our own Qi, and let our Qi activate other’s Qi. Together, we will build a healthy nation. My recommendation for a New Year’s resolution: “Build Intention and Action”
