Qigong and Tai-Chi are traditional self-healing, meditation, and self-cultivation exercises originating in ancient China. The practice, which is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theories, is characterized by coordinated body posture and movements, deep rhythmic breathing, meditation, and mental focus .
Qigong is a general term for a large variety of exercises and therapies practiced by generations of Chinese for centuries for health and longevity. The word Qigong is composed of two Chinese words: Qi and Gong. Qi refers to the vital energy, or life force, inherent in all life forms. Gong refers to any committed practice that requires hard work and sustained effort. Qigong, therefore, means “energy practice” or “energy cultivation”. Qigong may roughly be divided into two categories: one includes bodily movement (movement Qigong), and the other includes simply sitting or standing meditation with no added bodily movements (static Qigong). Martial art Qigong emphasizes the building up of body strength for fighting and defense. Lastly, medical (or health) Qigong focuses on improving physical and mental well-being or on treating illnesses. In this article, we use Qigong and health Qigong interchangeably because we are most interested in Qigong’s effects on mood regulation.
Tai-Chi is a widely practiced Chinese martial art tracing back to its origin in the 17th century. It typically involves more complex and choreographed movements that are coordinated with one’s breath, which is used for cultivating health and self-defense.
Tai-Chi is a soft-style martial art characterized by leveraging, coordinating, and relaxing the joints, rather than muscular tension, to neutralize, yield, or initiate attacks. Because calmness is a core tenant of Tai-Chi and the practice uses a meditative approach to cultivate Qi, it is frequently considered a form of medical or health Qigong. Both Qigong and Tai-Chi can be categorized as meditative movements or practices with a focus of mind, movement, breathing, and attaining a deeply relaxed state.
Meditation
Meditation is a practice that involves working with the mind to relax both the mind and the body. But what exactly is the purpose of meditation? There are many reasons to meditate, including improving relaxation, awareness, and focus. Daily meditation does for the mind what daily exercise does for the body. To meditate is to help your mind stay healthy.
Although many people practice meditation differently, the average meditation practice involves sitting with your body still and your eyes closed.
Mindfulness Meditation is one of many popular meditation techniques, although it is not the only meditation technique.
People are finding mediation to be an increasingly popular way to help us relax in both mind and body. People also find that meditation can help us become more aware of ourselves and our surroundings, deal with the stress of life, and develop good habits and feelings.
It is also a way to look at things in the present without judgement or any type aversion to seeing the clearer picture of all things happening in ones life.
