Live Whole Health #216: World Tai Chi and Qigong Day

Get ready to celebrate gentle movement on World Tai chi & Qigong Day on April 27 at 10:00 a.m. local time. The event is celebrated in hundreds of cities in over 80 countries spanning six continents.

Tai Chi is a gentle mind-body practice combining slow-flowing intentional movements with breathing, awareness and visualization. Rooted in the Asian traditions of martial arts, Chinese medicine and philosophy, tai chi enhances relaxation, vitality, focus, posture, balance, strength, flexibility and mood. Tai chi can be done in a small space without any additional equipment, and movements can be done from a chair or standing.

In addition to supporting general well-being, studies have shown benefits of tai chi for a variety of health areas, including improving balance, pain management, strength and flexibility, and more.

Qigong is an ancient Chinese healing art—older than and similar to tai chi—with a focus of cultivating the body’s vital energy or qi. It involves the coordination of the breath, posture, awareness, visualization and focused movements. Qigong may be a stationary or moving meditation.

In preparation for this year’s World Tai Chi and Qigong Day, join Dr. Cynthia Mealer from the the Memphis VA Medical Center for this 10-minute seated tai chi practice.

Tai Chi is one of the complementary and integrative health (CIH) approaches within the VA Whole Health System of care covered under the Veteran’s medical benefits package. To learn more about CIH services available at your facility, connect with your local Whole Health Facility Contact. If you are interested in the research, you can also check out Whole Health Evidence-Based Research or look for more information on Complementary and Integrative Health.