Below is our ever-growing collection of articles on Tai Chi, Qigong and health related subjects.
Many other articles are being prepared and will be available here in due course. These will include the full 37 step tai chi form, qigong practices, meditation skills, health advice and more.
So check back regularly to find more new content.
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Unbendable Arm
Relax and extend The unbendable arm is a concept that is talked about a lot in tai chi and aikido. However, it is a part of most traditional Chinese martial arts. It is a way of holding your arm so that it cannot be bent at the elbow no matter…
The Crane Stance – be confident on one leg
The crane stance is common in tai chi and kung fu so is important to master. It the easiest stance to understand but, perhaps the most demanding to perform. It simply requires you to stand on one leg with your raised foot pointing to the ground. Note: when we talk…
Cloud Hands
Cloud hands is a beautiful movement that mimics the soft movement of clouds floating through the sky. It is a lovely movement to practice over and over again. Partly because it feels good to do and partly because there is so much it can teach you when it comes to…
What Is Tai Chi? – A great exercise for all ages
Tai chi, or to give it the full name tai chi chuan (also spelled taijiquan) is not an easy art to quickly define. So what is tai chi? The Chinese term tai chi (taiji) refers to the universal balance of the forces of yin and yang. This is seen as…
What are Yin and Yang
The Chinese word tai chi (taiji) refers to the ancient concept of yin and yang. Yin yang theory is one of the most important concepts in Chinese culture and has been hugely influential all around the world. The Chinese see the yin yang theory as the governing principle behind all…
Qigong – How to boost your health and longevity the Chinese way
Qigong (pronounced chee-gong) is a key element of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It has been practiced for thousands of years albeit under different names. The word literally means exercises that boost your natural energy. Qi – life giving energy and gong literally mean work or exercise. Qigong consists of various…
Standing up. A simple guide to good posture
Your posture is all about the way you hold and move your body. A good posture makes you feel alive, nimble, full of energy and puts minimal strain on your body. A poor posture makes you feel sluggish, drained and puts excess stress on various key joints and other systems…
The Monkey Mind Versus The Eagle Mind
Would you like to be more focused in whatever you do? Have you tried meditating but couldn’t control your racing mind? Would you like to be calmer and feel in more control of your emotions? Then learn to control your errant monkey mind. Most people have a mind that is…
Breathing For Stress – How To Relax And Sleep Better At Night
Are you tired during the day and wide awake at night? Use breathing for stress relief and sleeping. This is a very common experience and one I’m sure is familiar to you. As humans we have evolved, like most animals, to be awake during the day and to sleep at…
Tai Chi Yin and Yang Training
The term tai chi (taiji) refers to the constant interplay between the forces of yin and yang. Tai Chi Chuan (taijiquan) is the martial art that uses those forces to develop extraordinary power. Very few tai chi schools now teach the development and use of these forces. This is a…
Tai Chi Health Benefits
Tai chi is a profound martial art and exercise system that has become universally popular because tai chi health benefits are so wide-ranging. What’s more ongoing research is constantly showing new areas where tai chi is beneficial. One year it is in the news for treating anxiety and the next…
The Toothless Tiger of Tai Chi
Whenever I perform tai chi I bring to mind the image of a tiger. The tiger is an animal that embodies many of the principles of tai chi. It uses its weight very well and constantly relaxes down into the ground. It holds no excess tension in its frame. It…
Finding your diaphragm
The single most important thing you do every second of every minute of every day is breathe. Your breath powers every cell in your body. It is intimately tied in to your emotional states and energy levels. The health of every single part of your body is utterly dependant on…
Stretch Daily
Stretching is an important part of conditioning to be fitter and healthier. Do you really need more reasons than that to stretch regularly? If the answer is yes, consider this. Imagine if you could have a bath in WD40. It would seep into all your joints, restoring them to their…
Expand Outwards
Whenever you feel any kind of fear, stress, anxiety or anything of the kind your body instinctively contracts inwards. This is a natural reaction that tenses your muscles ready for fight or flight. It’s like a tortoise withdrawing into its shell at the first hint of danger. The trouble is…