Health Benefits of T'ai Chi and Qigong

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T'ai Chi and Qigong are two mind-body practices that originated in ancient China. Practiced widely in China for thousands of years, both T'ai Chi and Qigong have become popular in the West. This might be because people of almost any age or condition can learn them.

Large, clinical studies on the health benefits of T'ai Chi and Qigong are lacking. But many who practice T'ai Chi and Qigong report heightened feelings of well-being along with a variety of other health benefits. A few studies are beginning to support some of these claims.

Reference:  Health Benefits of T'ai Chi and Qigong.

• Improved balance and strength
• Less pain and stiffness from osthearthritis
• Better sleep quality
• Greater immunity against shingles

Qigong (also spelled Chi Kung) is a wide range of exercises that specifically develop and circulate qi (also spelled chi) - our life energy.  If T'ai Chi were the game, then Qigong is the calisthenics.  It comprises of repetitive movements, done in sequence, but not necessarily part of an integrated form.

As with T'ai Chi, a variety of benefits have been linked to Qigong. They include:

• Greater stamina and vitality
• Reduced stress
• Enhanced immune system
• Improved cardiovascular, respiratory, circulatory, lymphatic, and digestive function
• Lower blood pressure
• Less risk of falling