Simple Not Easy：The_Practice of Qi Gong and Tai Chi

Audio from Everydayacupuncturepodcast.com Marshall Garland, retired computer security analyst and instructor. Currently certified as: QiGong Instructor (Therapeutic QiGong) Tai Chi Instructor (24-form Yang style) Tui Na Wellness Practitioner My QiGong and Taiji (Tai Chi) journey began over 20 years ago as an effort to get some exercise, relieve stress, lower my cholesterol, and live an over-all better lifestyle. Since I retired from the workforce in 2014, I have devoted my time to teaching Tai Chi and QiGong, and doing Tui Na for family and friends. I’ve studied, learned, and practiced Daoist Tai Chi (based on the 108-form Yang style) and Chen style long-form. I have now settled on the 24-form Yang style (a.k.a. the “Beijing form”) to teach since it’s reputed to be the most widely-practiced form of Tai Chi in the world. It takes much less time to learn and become proficient in for the average person. It takes only five to six minutes to perform, so it easily fits into a busy schedule. Yang style is also less jarring on the body than Chen style and more appealing to older people. Since the late 1990s, I’ve learned several QiGong forms in addition to Therapeutic QiGong: Wild Goose QiGong, Ba Duan Jin (8 Pieces of Brocade), Taiji QiGong, Sitting QiGong Meditation, and Zhan Zhuang (standing post QiGong). There are hundreds of others, each with its own focus, but all require slow and deep breathing, mental focus, moving with intent, and fluidity. Links and Resources: Visit Marshall’s website or contact him by email There is a lot of information about qigong at the website of The Qigong Institute Books: Natural Healing With Qigong: Therapeutic Qigong, Dr. Aihan Kuhn Qigong Empowerment, Shou-Yu Liang Taijiquan: Through the Western Gate, Rick Barrett The Root of Chinese Qigong, Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming Videos: Dr. Aihan Kuhn, Therapeutic QiGong instructional video (paywall), Gail Garland, Therapeutic QiGong moves 1-36 and here is a PDF of the 36 movements Shou-Yu Liang, Simplified Tai Chi 24 form Yang style Bill Douglas, Stress Relief Relaxation Calming Sitting Qigong Meditation A practice tip Ideally, do the 36-move 23-and-a-half minute Therapeutic QiGong set every day. If you don’t have a block of time that big, break the routine into two 18-move sections. Use found minutes (waiting for a bus, car pool, or appointment) to do an exercise or two relevant to your problem. If you have a desk job, get up a couple of times in the morning and the afternoon and do a couple of exercises for about three minutes to get your energy moving. Remember: breathe deeply and slowly, relax, focus, and be fluid like water.