Tai Chi QiGong Principles: What, why and how

If you attend my Tai Chi QiGong classes you will have noticed that we always start in a similar way, we focus on our posture, we focus on calming and regulating our breathing and bring ourselves into a state of relaxation and quietening our minds. Then we retain all this and introduce a flow of movement. This is all intentional and is a critical part of how and why we gain benefit from our practice. The four principles are Quiet and Calm the Mind, Relaxation, Posture and Flow.

I do explain frequently about the reasons why for each of these during class, and I'm also conscious that there is a lot to digest, follow and think about, so I've brought this information together here in this handy summary. If you attend class and want to familiarise yourself with these four key principles, or if you haven't participated previously and want to know more about what is all the hype about, why do participants love it so much, then I hope you find this helpful and interesting.

Quiet and calm the mind

• What this is: Bringing ourselves into a state of emptiness, removing ourselves from the day to day, thoughts of needs, wants, tasks.

• Why we do it: Enabling ourselves to focus fully on the QiGong practice, immerse ourselves in the moment.

• How we achieve it: Assume the Wuji stance (see posture), focus on diaphragmatic breathing, let thoughts go – by choosing not to focus on them and not let them distract us, to empty the mind.
  

Relaxation

• What this is: Removing tension from our physical body, enabling our body to be relaxed.

• Why we do it: Enable our flow to be more fluid, reduce risk of injury and developing physical relaxation.

• How we achieve it: Assume the Wuji stance and focus on slow regular diaphragmatic breathing. Scan the body for tensions. Actively relax tense muscles, particularly neck, shoulders, back, knees.
  

Posture

• What this is: Focusing on holding ourselves in a good physical posture, starting and returning to Wuji, consider physical placement during movements.

• Why we do it: To reduce risk of injury, improve skeletal and muscular wellness.

• How we achieve it: Assume Wuji stance: feet hip distance apart, toes forward, major joints from ankle to head stacked in vertical alignment. Straighten back (base to neck) by lifting the Kua, tuck tailbone under, head upright, neck extended, face directly forward. Relax knees, shoulders and arms. Touch tongue on upper palette behind teeth. Ensure correct postures are followed through each movement.
  

Flow

• What this is: Engaging with the movements and letting them connect naturally and comfortably bringing 100% focus to the activity.

• Why we do it: Become fully engaged in the moment to optimise the calm and relaxation and enable the benefits of the QiGong practice to be realised.

• How we acheive it: Combining the calm, relaxation, posture movement and breath, with being fully absorbed in the moment and movement. Remaining within the individual capacity and not pushing.

I hope you found this helpful and interesting. Got more questions - do ask away, if I don't know the answer I will try to find out. My Tai Chi practice is a continual learning and development. The Daoist's say it takes four lifetimes to learn QiGong, so don't expect anyone to be a complete expert, unless they are on their fourth life!