qigong for taichi

Wave hands in clouds

The aim is to combine hand and foot movements for a fluid movement. The movement takes you through a 180 degree turn and you have L hand raised as you face left and R hand raised as you face right. Personal tuition is essential to learn this one.

First, hand movements are described separately

When face to L,
L hand is up at shoulder level, palm facing out
R hand is near L elbow, palm facing up

When face to R
L hand is up at shoulder level, palm facing out
R hand is near L elbow, palm facing up

Transition is very circular and as hand goes up and across from elbow, it rises to head level then curves round to come to shoulder level as reach the extreme posture.

Now legs and feet are described separately

1.
Start turned to L
Weight on L
L arm up, palm facing out
R arm near L elbow, palm facing up
R heel raised

2.
Drop R heel, taking weight back to R
Turn more than 90 degrees on L heel
Then
Turn more than 90 degrees on R ball
Then
Step with R to R, ball then heel

3. Start inhaling when to R, exhaling when to L
Take weight forward onto R
Step out with L ball, heel stays up
Wave hands to R

Repeat from 2 but reverse L and R

Now combine the movements of hands/arms with feet/legs

Its not easy - but the challenge is excellent preparation for Tai Chi work

USING QIGONG SENSIBLY

UK TAI CHI and Sue Dunham cannot take responsibility for your fitness to do these exercises. Tai Chi and qigong are not a substitute for regular medical care. It is the responsibility of the individual to seek advice and consent from their medical practitioner if they have any concerns.

About learning qigong

Like many other Eastern disciplines, learning qigong is as much about the journey as it is about the results - and it is a lifetime's journey because there is never an end to the learning. It helps if you can focus on enjoying every step of the way and increase your awareness of small changes in yourself. The successful student may appear the least physically proficient but they are the one who has seen that qigong is a different way of being. It is empowering, it is a way of being self-aware and it is a healthy way to be. Enigmatic - but that is the charm and fascination of qigong!