Is Qigong the same as Tai Chi?
Qigong preceded Tai Chi by hundreds of years. In ancient China, soldiers noticed that the people who practiced Qigong stayed healthier and recovered from injury more quickly. They studied the techniques of Qigong and then applied them to combat skills which they came to call Tai Chi, or Tai Chi Chuan. Today, many people study Tai Chi not as a martial art, but as a health-promoting practice. It is comprised of specific movements, performed in a specific sequence, with lots of attention to nuance and detail.
In Qigong, rather than learning a long sequences of movements, students repeat individual exercises several times. There is therefore much less memorization required, and more opportunity to dive immediately into sensing the circulation of energy in the body, mind and spirit. In this way it is simpler and quicker to learn than Tai Chi, while offering all the same well-studied benefits, such as improved balance, immunity, cognition, cardio health, etc.
Can I get a good work-out from doing mindful exercise like Qigong?
I would argue that mindful exercise is the only way to go, if you are serious about transforming your state of health and fitness. Mindfulness, by its nature, enables you to work smart, not just hard. On the other hand, exercising in an unconscious, habitual way, rarely brings good or lasting results. Learning to exercise with mindful awareness will transform your out-look as well as your muscles. You will also be far less susceptible to injury.
How quickly will I notice results?
It is possible to reduce stress in the time it takes to draw 8 slow, mindful breaths. In one class you can begin to improve the flexibility of your spine and learn how to build strength in your lower body. How quickly you will notice on-going results, however, depends a great deal on how consistently you practice. Most of my students notice a positive change after just one class, and continue to improve for the duration of our time together.
It is highly recommended that you practice Qigong as often as possible. To facilitate this, I have posted free videos of past classes on my YouTube channel and this website. Additionally, if you would like a copy of an online class you have taken with me, I will send you a link that you may download and save to your files, to practice with as often as you’d like. The fee for this is $10.00.
How is Qigong different than Yoga?
There are some similarities, however Qigong is less position oriented than Yoga and we don’t do exercises on the floor. Qigong exercises are circular and flowing and never, ever forced. As one of my favorite teachers, Kenneth Cohen says, “The only thing you can do wrong in Qigong is NOT relax.” I encourage all my students to modify the exercises until they feel just exactly right for themselves. (See below) Many of the benefits of Qigong are the same as from Yoga: flexibility, strength, alignment, stress reduction, balance and spiritual growth are all rewards of a steady practice.
Can I do Qigong if I have physical limitations?
"Gentle but consistent" is a good description of how we work in Qigong. Qigong is an excellent choice if you are recovering from illness or injury, or want to get back into exercise after prolonged inactivity. Many Qigong exercises can even be done seated, if necessary.
In these stressful, pressurized, go-go-go times, learning to move with less effort and more awareness is a fascinating challenge, no matter what your state of fitness. This is also key to unlocking energy, health, strength, and flexibility. To help facilitate this process, you are always encouraged to modify exercises when necessary—move more slowly, or in a smaller range of motion. It’s important to feel safe and comfortable, whatever your state of fitness. In fact, this is a foundational part of the Qigong methodology.
Is there ever a time when one is too old to begin doing Qigong--or exercise in general, for that matter?
Absolutely not; this is the subject of my book Strength Training Staying Fit and Fabulous (Dover Press, 2018). We humans have amazing powers of regeneration and self-healing. This process slows as we age, it's true, but doesn't end until we die. In fact, studies out of Tuft’s University have proven that even men and women in their 90's can build muscular strength in as few as 8 weeks.
We are meant to move. Many of the ailments people suffer are the direct result of inactivity and stress. You can continue to grow and change no matter how old you are, once you understand how to do it. Qigong understood this principal from its earliest inception. That is why it is sometimes referred to as “a practice of youthful longevity.” As I like to remind people, it’s not enough to simply live a long time: we all want to be healthy, mobile, and alert enough to enjoy those years!
