About Tai Chi, Yoga, and Pilates
TAI CHI AND QIGONG
What is Tai Chi?
Tai chi is an internal Chinese martial art which involves a series of slow, meditative body movements that help to promote inner peace and calm. It is a centuries-old practice that descends from qigong, an ancient discipline that has its roots in traditional Chinese medicine. Tai chi dates back as far as 2,500 years!
Types of Tai Chi
Yang, Wu, and Chen are three of the most popular styles of tai chi. The Yang style, which includes 24 movements in its simple form (108 movements in the traditional form), utilizes a wide stance and bent knees. Dr. Tsai teaches the Yang 24 style.
What is Qi?
Pronounced “chee”, qi is defined as “one’s life force.” All living things have qi—humans, animals, plants—a living energy force in and around the body. By practicing tai chi, one is strengthening and balancing one’s life force.
What is Qigong?
Qigong is an umbrella term for various disciplines that involve the movement of the body, the calming of the mind, and the attention to one’s breath. Tai chi is just one of the thousands of disciplines within qigong. There are 5 major traditions of qigong: 1) Taoist, 2) Buddhist, 3) Confucian, 4) martial arts, and 5) medical. Within these traditions are two major types: "soft" and "hard." Soft qigong is called inner qigong, of which tai chi is an example.
Benefits of Tai Chi
· Aids in the treatment of heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, digestive disorders, skin diseases, depression, cancer and many other illnesses
· Improved balance, reduced risk of falls
· Improved strength and endurance
· Improved flexibility
· Higher aerobic capacity
· Decreased fibromyalgia symptoms
· Decreased stress, increased level of calm and peace
YOGA
Yoga is a non-competitive, personal and enjoyable activity for everyone. Forget about your age or your fitness level. Let go of preconceived notions of yoga—it’s not only for rock stars or models. Yoga is a daily practice of postures and breath that YOU take at your own pace.
Yoga as Art, Science & Philosophy of Life
The word “yoga” means “union”; union of mind, body and spirit—“The Oneness of All Things.” Yoga is not only a fitness program, it’s a series of physical postures (asanas) and breathing that help you to balance emotions, sharpen the intellect and bring peace of mind.
Benefits of Yoga
· Aids in the treatment of heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, digestive disorders, depression, cancer and many other illnesses
· Improved strength and endurance
· Improved flexibility
· Decreased fibromyalgia symptoms
· Decreased stress, increased level of calm and peace
PILATES
Pilates is an exercise program that increases overall body strength, endurance, balance and coordination. Young and old can benefit from Pilates exercises.
Joseph Pilates developed his technique over a century ago. Pilates focuses on strengthening the core region (powerhouse) of the body. Using focused breathing and visualization, Pilates can improve the body, mind and spirit.
Benefits of Pilates
· Improves core and abdominal strength
· Improved strength and endurance overall
· Improved flexibility
· Improved breathing and concentration
· Stress relief
What is Tai Chi?
Tai chi is an internal Chinese martial art which involves a series of slow, meditative body movements that help to promote inner peace and calm. It is a centuries-old practice that descends from qigong, an ancient discipline that has its roots in traditional Chinese medicine. Tai chi dates back as far as 2,500 years!
Types of Tai Chi
Yang, Wu, and Chen are three of the most popular styles of tai chi. The Yang style, which includes 24 movements in its simple form (108 movements in the traditional form), utilizes a wide stance and bent knees. Dr. Tsai teaches the Yang 24 style.
What is Qi?
Pronounced “chee”, qi is defined as “one’s life force.” All living things have qi—humans, animals, plants—a living energy force in and around the body. By practicing tai chi, one is strengthening and balancing one’s life force.
What is Qigong?
Qigong is an umbrella term for various disciplines that involve the movement of the body, the calming of the mind, and the attention to one’s breath. Tai chi is just one of the thousands of disciplines within qigong. There are 5 major traditions of qigong: 1) Taoist, 2) Buddhist, 3) Confucian, 4) martial arts, and 5) medical. Within these traditions are two major types: "soft" and "hard." Soft qigong is called inner qigong, of which tai chi is an example.
Benefits of Tai Chi
· Aids in the treatment of heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, digestive disorders, skin diseases, depression, cancer and many other illnesses
· Improved balance, reduced risk of falls
· Improved strength and endurance
· Improved flexibility
· Higher aerobic capacity
· Decreased fibromyalgia symptoms
· Decreased stress, increased level of calm and peace
YOGA
Yoga is a non-competitive, personal and enjoyable activity for everyone. Forget about your age or your fitness level. Let go of preconceived notions of yoga—it’s not only for rock stars or models. Yoga is a daily practice of postures and breath that YOU take at your own pace.
Yoga as Art, Science & Philosophy of Life
The word “yoga” means “union”; union of mind, body and spirit—“The Oneness of All Things.” Yoga is not only a fitness program, it’s a series of physical postures (asanas) and breathing that help you to balance emotions, sharpen the intellect and bring peace of mind.
Benefits of Yoga
· Aids in the treatment of heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, digestive disorders, depression, cancer and many other illnesses
· Improved strength and endurance
· Improved flexibility
· Decreased fibromyalgia symptoms
· Decreased stress, increased level of calm and peace
PILATES
Pilates is an exercise program that increases overall body strength, endurance, balance and coordination. Young and old can benefit from Pilates exercises.
Joseph Pilates developed his technique over a century ago. Pilates focuses on strengthening the core region (powerhouse) of the body. Using focused breathing and visualization, Pilates can improve the body, mind and spirit.
Benefits of Pilates
· Improves core and abdominal strength
· Improved strength and endurance overall
· Improved flexibility
· Improved breathing and concentration
· Stress relief
About Dr. Grace Tsai Tsuyuki
Dr. Grace Tsai Tsuyuki is the owner of WabiSabi Wellness. She has her Doctorate in Public Health from the prestigious Johns Hopkins University, as well as a Master’s in Health Management, and experience teaching graduate and undergraduate Kinesiology and Health courses at local universities. She received her undergraduate degree from the Ivy League institution, the University of Pennsylvania, where she began her wellness career. She was a Master’s Trainer with the American College of Sports Medicine, an Executive Director with the Hepatitis B Foundation and a Freelance Health Writer for Discovery Health. With almost 25 years of teaching experience in the fitness field (strength training, step, aerobics and kick-boxing) she is now focused on mind-body-spirit health (Pilates, yoga and tai chi).
