Tai Qi & Qi Gong
Why do we offer Tai Chi training?
"Without mental health, there can be no true physical health." This simple yet profound statement underscores the importance of addressing both the mind and the body for comprehensive wellbeing. Recognizing this, Mind Matters Academy places great emphasis on not only mental health training, but also on physical practices that complement and enhance the overall health of our participants.
Tai Chi: An Ancient Pathway to Harmony
Tai Chi, the renowned Chinese martial art with a history spanning over three centuries, is a prime example of this holistic approach. This ancient practice emphasizes the integration of the body and mind, guiding practitioners to achieve a state of natural, smooth movement and a sense of oneness with nature.
Tai Chi Chuan integrates three major elements: "body training", "mind training", and "qi training". In terms of body training, through slow and stable movements, the muscles, bones, and joints of the whole body can be fully exercised, enhancing muscle strength, improving flexibility, and preventing muscle atrophy and joint diseases. Mind training enables practitioners to eliminate distractions while focusing on the movements, achieving inner tranquility and peace, relieving emotional problems such as anxiety and depression, and improving sleep quality. In the qi training link, with the coordination of breathing and movements, it promotes the circulation of qi and blood in the meridians, nourishes the internal organs, and enhances the body's resistance. Participating in our Tai Chi classes is like opening a healthy channel for yourself to unblock the meridians and promote the circulation of qi and blood, leading you to a healthier and better lifestyle.
The basic principle of Tai Chi Chuan is to increase the flow of the body's energy (also known as "qi") through breathing and movements, releasing toxins and negative energy in the body. Regular participation in Tai Chi class practice can effectively enhance the immune system, balance the body's strength, and increase flexibility and stress resistance.
Qigong: Guiding Qi with the Mind for a Longer and Healthier Life
Qigong, a unique form of fitness exercise with a long history, aims to enhance physiological functions, promote longevity, and prevent diseases by controlling the mind and regulating breathing. It is not merely a form of exercise but also a way of practicing that integrates into daily life, helping people in the busy modern world regain inner peace and balance. Fitness Qigong, an important branch of Qigong, has two popular routines: Baduanjin and Wuqinxi. Each movement of Baduanjin, such as "Lifting Hands to Regulate the Triple Burner" and "Shooting an Arrow with a Bow on Both Sides," has specific health - promoting effects. Through a series of gentle stretching exercises, it can improve blood circulation and enhance the body's flexibility and endurance. Wuqinxi, on the other hand, was created by imitating the postures and expressions of five animals: the tiger, deer, bear, ape, and bird. It can comprehensively exercise various parts of the human body and provide a full - body conditioning.
Our Instructor
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Joseph, our Tai Chi master at Mind Matters Academy, is a 13th generation disciple of the Chen-style Tai Chi under the tutelage of Master Li Yafang. He is also a 3rd generation disciple of the Chen-style Xin Yi Hun Yuan Tai Chi, developed by Grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang. Joseph currently serves as a board member of the Hong Kong Chen-style Tai Chi Research Association and is a certified coach of the Hong Kong Tai Chi Association.
As a lover of traditional Chinese culture, Joseph has studied multiple traditional Chinese arts, including Tai Chi, Qigong, calligraphy, and seal carving. He has also conducted in-depth research on Yi Jing and Zi Wei Dou Shu (ancient Chinese astrology), and has developed unique insights into these subjects.
After years of studying various martial arts and wellness practices, Joseph has developed a comprehensive teaching approach to strengthen the physical and mental well-being of his students. His curriculum is designed to assist students in achieving balance in body, mind, and spirit in their daily lives. As students improve their physical and mental states, they also gradually gain an understanding of the life philosophy underlying Tai Chi, and embody their spirits in daily lives, including the principles of non-resistance and selflessness.
We offer the following types of Tai Chi and Qi Gong classes:
1. 陳式太極拳 (Chen-style Tai Chi)
2. 陳式心意混元太極拳 (Chen-style Xin Yi Hun Yuan Tai Chi:)
3. 楊式太極拳 (Yang-style Tai Chi)
4. 健身氣功八段錦 (Ba Duan Jin)
Below is an extract of the teaching contents of our Tai Chi and Qi Gong Classes
Chen-style Tai Chi
Taichi Basics:
鬆身功 (Sōng shēn gōng) - Relaxation Exercise
樁功 (Zhuāng gōng) - Standing Meditation
腰胯功 (Yāo kuà gōng) - Waist and Hip Exercise
肩臂功 (Jiān bì gōng) - Shoulder and Arm Exercise
丹田功法 (Dān tián gōng fǎ) - Dantian Exercise
纏絲功 (Chán sī gōng) - Silk Reeling Exercise
13 Essential Tai Chi Movements
掤 (Peng) - Ward Off, 捋 (Lu) - Rollback, 擠 (Ji) - Press, 按 (An) - Push, 采 (Cai) - Pluck, 列 (Lie) - Split, 肘 (Zhou) - Elbow Strike, 靠 (Kao) - Shoulder Strike, 進 (Jin) - Advance, 退 (Tui) - Retreat, 顧 (Gu) - Look Left ,盼 (Pan) - Look Right, 定 (Ding) - Center
陳式太極十八式 (Chen-style Tai Chi 18 Form)
陳式太極拳老架一路 (Chen-style Tai Chi Old Frame First Routine)
陳式太極單劍 (Chen-style Tai Chi Single Sword)
傳統陳式太極拳老架一路（75式）(Traditional Chen-style Tai Chi Old Frame First Routine - 75 Movements)
傳統陳式太極拳老架二路（43式）(Traditional Chen-style Tai Chi Old Frame Second Routine - 43 Movements)
傳統陳式太極拳新架一路（83式）(Traditional Chen-style Tai Chi New Frame First Routine - 83 Movements)
陳式太極單刀（13式）(Chen-style Tai Chi Single Saber - 13 Movements)
春秋大刀 (Chunqiu Broad Sword) and others...
Yang-style Tai Chi
楊式太極基礎入門十三勢 (Yang-style Tai Chi Basic 13 Movements)
國家標準太極競賽套路二十四式 (National Standard Tai Chi Competition Routine 24 Form)
傳統楊式太極拳八十五式 (Traditional Yang-style Tai Chi 85 Form)
楊式太極拳老架一百零八式 (Yang-style Tai Chi Old Frame 108 Form), and others...
Chen-style Xin Yi Hun Yuan Tai Chi:
無極椿 (Wuji Chuan) - Infinite Chuan
混元椿 (Hun Yuan Chuan) - Mixed Element Chuan
混元纏絲功 (Hun Yuan Chan Si Gong) - Mixed Element Silk Reeling Exercise
混元洗臟功 (Hun Yuan Xi Zang Gong) - Mixed Element Internal Organ Cleansing Exercise
混元合力功 (Hun Yuan He Li Gong) - Mixed Element Power Exercise
混元太極24式 (Hun Yuan Tai Chi 24 Form)
混元太極48式 (Hun Yuan Tai Chi 48 Form)
混元太極炮錘24式 (Hun Yuan Tai Chi Cannon Hammer 24 Form)
混元太極刀36式 (Hun Yuan Tai Chi Saber 36 Form)
混元太極劍48式 (Hun Yuan Tai Chi Sword 48 Form), and others...
Ba Duan Jin (Eight Pieces of Brocade) Qigong
雙手托天理三焦 (Shuang Shou Tuo Tian Li San Jiao) - Hold Up the Heavens to Regulate the Three Burners
左右開弓似射雕 (Zuo You Kai Gong Si She Diao) - Draw the Bow to Shoot the Hawk
調理脾胃需單舉 (Tiao Li Pi Wei Xu Dan Ju) - Raise One Arm to Regulate the Spleen and Stomach
五勞七傷往後瞧 (Wu Lao Qi Shang Wang Hou Qiao) - Look Backwards to Prevent Diseases
兩手攀足固腎腰 (Liang Shou Pan Zu Gu Shen Yao) - Hold Up the Feet to Strengthen the Kidneys and Waist
攢拳怒目增氣力 (Zan Quan Nu Mu Zeng Qi Li) - Clench the Fists and Glare Fiercely to Increase Strength
背後七顛百病消 (Bei Hou Qi Dian Bai Bing Xiao) - Strike the Back to Eliminate the Seven Emotions and Hundred Diseases
What are the benefits in training Taichi & Qigong?
Smoothening the Meridians
According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, the health of the human body depends on the smooth flow of qi and blood and the unobstructedness of the meridians. Qi and blood are the basic substances that maintain life activities, and the meridians are the channels through which qi and blood flow. Tai Chi Qigong, with its slow, gentle, and continuous movements, guides the movement of the body. During the practice, through the coordination of specific postures and breathing, it can promote the circulation of qi and blood, allowing qi and blood to fill all the internal organs and tissues of the body.
For example, the starting posture, ending posture, and various opening and closing movements in Tai Chi Qigong are like constructing a small qi and blood circulation system within the body. When the arms are slowly raised and stretched, the chest cavity opens, and the breath is inhaled, driving the qi and blood to move upward and outward. When the arms fall and retract, the breath is exhaled, and the qi and blood also move downward and inward to be stored. Between each inhalation and exhalation, and each opening and closing, the qi and blood can flow orderly in the meridians, nourishing every part of the body. Just as stated in "The Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon": "The meridians are what determine life and death, treat all diseases, regulate deficiency and excess, and must not be blocked." Tai Chi Qigong, through the regulation of qi and blood in the meridians, helps the body maintain the balance between yin and yang and enhances its ability to resist diseases.
Relieving Stress and Regulating Emotions
In the fast-paced modern life, people are faced with various pressures. Long-term mental stress can easily lead to emotional disorders, which in turn affect physical health. From the perspective of health preservation, Tai Chi Qigong provides a natural method for relieving stress and regulating emotions.
When we engage in the practice of Tai Chi Qigong, we need to eliminate external distractions and focus our attention on the current movements and breathing. This high level of concentration of the body and mind is like pressing the "pause button" on the busy brain, allowing us to temporarily free ourselves from daily anxiety and stress. Each slow movement is accompanied by inner calm and peace. In this way, the tense nerves are relaxed, and negative emotions are released. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that emotions are closely related to the internal organs, and excessive emotional fluctuations can damage the functions of the internal organs. Tai Chi Qigong, by regulating emotions, restores the balance of the functions of the internal organs of the human body, achieving the goal of physical and mental health. For example, long-term practice of Tai Chi Qigong can relieve emotional problems such as anxiety and depression, improve sleep quality, and enable people to face life with a more positive attitude.
Strengthening the Physical Foundation
Vital qi is the driving force of human life activities. It originates from the kidneys and spreads throughout the body through the triple energizer. Tai Chi Qigong emphasizes internal cultivation, stressing guiding qi with the mind, nourishing blood with qi, and nourishing the spirit with blood. During long-term practice, it can stimulate and replenish the vital qi of the human body.
When practitioners focus on each movement and each breath, the qi mechanism inside the body is also changing quietly. The depth and rhythm of breathing are gradually adjusted, enabling the breath to reach the lower dantian. The lower dantian is regarded as the gathering place of the body's vital qi. Through continuous nourishment and exercise of the lower dantian, the vital qi is replenished. When the vital qi is sufficient, all the body's functions are strengthened, and the immunity is improved, enabling the body to better resist the invasion of external pathogenic factors. Whether it is young people aiming to enhance their physical fitness or the elderly seeking to delay aging, Tai Chi Qigong can be an effective way to replenish the vital qi.
Strengthening the Body and Preventing Illness
From the perspective of health preservation, Tai Chi Qigong is a full-body exercise that covers the activities of all parts of the body. During the practice, the muscles, bones, and joints of the body are fully exercised. The slow and rhythmic movements can enhance muscle strength and flexibility, improve joint flexibility, and prevent muscle atrophy and joint diseases.
At the same time, Tai Chi Qigong also has a significant promoting effect on cardiopulmonary function. Through deep and long breathing and moderate exercise intensity, it can increase lung capacity, improve the heart's pumping function, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. For common chronic diseases such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia among middle-aged and elderly people, the practice of Tai Chi Qigong also has a certain auxiliary therapeutic and preventive effect. It can regulate the body's endocrine system, promote metabolism, and help maintain the normal physiological functions of the body.
