“TAIJI QIGONG”

EXERCISES TO STAY MENTALLY FIT

Find your inner peace by slowing down your workout for a happier, healthier you.

Touch The Sea, Look At The Sky

Benefits: Lower back, heart, lungs

TECHNIQUE

-Place your right foot forward.

-Place (‘Laogong’) both the hands over (‘Zusanli’) your right knee. The weight sinks through your front foot and your upper body remains light.

-Slowly transfer your weight backwards, as you raise your arms up and outwards.

-Repeat on both sides.

Laogong: A pressure point on the centre of the palm of the hand .

Zusanli: A pressure point a few inches below the outside of the knee.

There are many ways to refresh or fill energy in you. You can put on your favourite music, go out for a brisk walk or a fast run or add another kilo to your dumbbells. Ultimately everyone needs a healthy balance of exercise and relaxation to achieve good health – that’s why we have got some real good workouts combining the two.

You are surely gonna love.

Inner energy and inner peace for busy people like us, is not just about sitting in lotus position and chanting ‘om’.

Those who have heard about the Chinese martial art “TAI CHI” may have come across “QIGONG” before.

Also known by its full name of “Taiji Qigong”.

A set of 18 exercises that are used to promote the body’s natural healing energy to reduce stress levels and increase your quality of life.

How does it work?

Focusing on postures and breathing, qigong is aimed at improving physical and mental health. ‘The exercises can help to promote the body’s natural healing energy, reduce stress and create a feeling of wellbeing,’ explained by Ronnie Robinson the director of Taiji Europa.

You know Acupuncture, don’t you - The Chinese theory of internal energy pathways, or meridians, through which ‘qi’ or ‘chi’ – energy – flows through.

Ronnie explains. ‘When the energy flow is regular the body will remain healthy. However, if there are blockages in this energy flow, problems can result.The interruption can be due to stress, poor eating habits, or even being too hot or too cold, creating a build-up which energy can’t freely flow through. Taiji Qigong art helps you to clear these blockages so that the energy can flow through the meridians with as little disruption as possible.’

Taiji Qigong is Simple -

The movements are simple, slow and gentle, yet effective in restoring energy. The body is kept in alignment throughout, and breathing is soft and natural. You may not get your heart racing in qigong, but you’ll certainly benefit physically.

Just like how birds don’t carry their stress and strains in their bodies, we too have to do it in the similar fashion. Try to follow the smooth, easy, natural movements that you see in the rest of nature.’

Give Qigong a go-

Perform each move 8-10 times one after another to create a flowing routine. It is ideal performed in the morning for a gentle start of the day or you may also do it in the evening to unwind after work.

Tips While doing Taiji Qigong-

Listen to your breath Adopt a soft, natural breathing during the movements. Be aware of your body although aches and pains are sometimes normal, don’t overdo it.

Listen to what your body is trying to tell you - ‘Sink’ your weight and ‘lighten’ your upper body to establish a connection with the ground by imagining your weight dropping deep into the earth, while your upper body floats upwards.

The fact is, your upper body may be heavy with tension while you find it hard to keep your feet firmly on the ground.

Maintain alignment Keep a natural arch in your back and neutral spine, the way we’ve evolved. Focus and intent Connect with all the movements you’re making and the directions you’re going.

Be natural Think of the movements you see taking place in nature and try to follow suit.