Tai Chi & Qigong: Gentle Movements, Powerful Results
Leyton Marshes sessions (Lee Valley Ice Centre)
Qigong - between 4 August - 22 September on Tuesdays at 12:00 - 13:30 and Thursdays at 17:30 - 19:00,
Qi Wu session – between 15 August - 3 October on Saturdays at 10:00 – 11:15
Lee Valley White Water Centre sessions
Tai Chi - between 6 August - 19 November on Thursdays at 11:30 -13:00
Health Qigong – Six Healing Sounds - between 6 August - 19 November on Thursdays at 13:30 - 15:00
All sessions are free
What is tai chi and qigong?
Tai Chi and Qigong both come from the rich, ancient martial arts and health preservation culture of China.
Tai Chi Chuan or taijiquan is the full name of what is popularly called tai chi. The movements, based on martial arts postures and steps, are slow, repeated and flow with the breath. It is one of three Chinese internal martial art systems of exercise. ‘Internal’ refers to the focus on directing energy in the body and visualising the intention of the movements. There are several styles of Tai Chi. Dao Lu CIC trains in 2 styles: Chen – the oldest style, and Yang – the most popular style.
Qigong (pronounced chee-gong) is at least 2,500 years old and is a system of exercises that seeks to cultivate the body’s energy or life force – its qi (‘chee’). It is known for its health preservation benefits as practitioners seek to build and strengthen their energy and direct it to the different parts of the body. Medical Qigong is specifically practised in hospital settings in China as part of therapy and rehabilitation for patients.
Is there evidence of the health benefits of tai chi and qigong?
Tai chi and qigong are mind-body-breath exercises, part of Traditional Chinese Medicine’s health preservation culture, which includes other practices such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, various forms of massage, the use of heat, cupping, etc. Chinese health preservation culture considers prevention of disease as vital in promoting health in the community. Health is considered in terms of physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, “a holistic and ecological view of the body, mind and health.”
The clinical and medical research evidence on the health benefits of tai chi and qigong grows every year. The website of the World Tai Chi and Qigong Day has a library of Medical Research into tai chi and qigong, search-able in alphabetical order by illness or condition, from Aches to Stroke Rehabilitation:
https://www.worldtaichiday.org/WTCQDHlthBenft.html
Research, including randomised controlled trial (RCTs), systematic reviews and meta-analyses have been done in China, the US, Europe, Australia on a range of effects and benefits for a variety of conditions, including:
Diabetes
Hypertension
Mental health conditions (depression, anxiety, ADHD)
As part of rehabilitation for cancer and stroke patients
Conditions that affect postural stability or balance
Management of pain from osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis