Medical Qigong
Both tai chi and qigong have been used extensively for thousands of years for healing, stress management, longevity, and meditative purposes.
Techniques
- Intentional Movement: careful, flowing balanced style
- Rhythmic Breathing: slow, deep, coordinated with fluid movement
- Awareness: calm, focused meditative state
- Visualization: of qi flow, philosophical tenets, aesthetics
- Chanting/Sound: use of sound as a focal point
Additional Principles
- Softness: soft gaze, expressionless face
- Solid Stance: firm footing, erect spine
- Relaxation: relaxed muscles, slightly bent joints
- Balance and Counterbalance: motion over the center of gravity
Advanced Goals
- Equanimity: more fluid, more relaxed
- Tranquility: empty mind, high awareness
- Stillness: smaller and smaller movements, eventually to complete stillness