What is Tai Chi and Qigong?

Kim Kubsch

Tai Chi is a wonderful way to connect with your whole body, come into harmony with yourself and learn to move more easily through all kinds of challenges. It also works to relieve stress, unblock energy where it’s stuck and heal everything from inflammation and chronic pain to digestive and immune disorders.

Qigong is a skill practiced over time, which increases or restores vitality.

Our Thursday morning Tai Chi practice at the Sun Lakes Country Club is a combination of qigong warmup, individual balance exercises and tai chi flow. The balance exercises we practice are then incorporated in the flow. Many older adults think of this as a slow dance. Drop in any class on Thursdays from 10:45-11:45 a.m. at the Mirror Room, Sun Lakes Country Club. The cost is $5.00 per class, open to the public, no RSVP necessary. Bring water, wear comfortable shoes and meet new friends.

The Tai Chi Practice Story:

P: Posture – With the pelvis tilted forward, upper body upright, imagine your head being pulled up with a golden thread; the chin is parallel to the earth.

R: Relax – The shoulders, waist and arms appear to move as liquid – very fluid and flowing.

A: Activity – This slow-moving, flowing, graceful and relaxing series of movements is an activity for any age or ability, seated or standing.

C: Coordination – Continually flowing parts of the body are working together in harmony, using deep breathing, balancing the yin and yang energy.

T: Tempo – Slow movements control each muscle group in a rhythmic fashion.

I: Individual – Modify the practice for YOUR comfort and safety. Listen to your body – there is no competition.

C: Consistent – Keep practicing the movements, learn new ones and improve daily to foster rejuvenation and healing.

E: Enjoyment – Enjoy by allowing the mind and body to relax. Think of “playing” Tai Chi. Don’t analyze or “overthink!”

Kim’s balance and Tai Chi-Qigong DVD’s, Hello Tai Chi, Goodbye Stress, Forever Young Tai Chi and Make Your Balance Great Again can be purchased on her website or at any class. She can be contacted at [email protected] or call 480-392-3436.