What is the difference between the tai chi, qigong, and standing meditation that you teach?
Qigong exercises have been practiced for thousands of years in China. They emphasize breathing combined with movement to promote health and well being. Tai chi is hundreds of years old and, although practiced today primarily as a health exercise, it is also a martial art based upon softness, relaxation, and yielding to force. Some people say that tai chi is a form of qigong. Yiquan standing meditation is less than 100 years old. Although it doesn’t involve external movement, it helps to develop the internal qi [chi] energy, calms the mind, and reduces stress. Qi is the natural healing and vital energy that the Chinese believe is fundamental to health and well being. Tai chi, qigong, and standing meditation, all work synergistically to help us to develop and circulate this natural, internal power, improve health, and relieve stress.
