What is Chi Kung/Tai Chi

WHAT IS CHI KUNG?

Chi Kung has its origins in prehistoric China, and evolved first as a medical practice then as a spiritual practice and then as a martial art. They all started with simple movement and breathing techniques. They slowly evolved into the Animal Frolics, Dao In, The 8 Treasures, 8 Pieces of Brocade, Bone Marrow Washing, and much later, Tai Chi Chuan, Hsing I, and Ba Gua. A few specific Chi Kung sets available today are called the Wild Goose, Flying Crane, and the Swimming Dragon. Mark teaches a specific set of Chi Kung exercises called the 8 Treasures, They are a very powerful and sophisticated set of 32 moves that are used as a foundation for Tai Chi.

Concurrent with the health movement Chi Kungs was the discovery of acupuncture points and the meridian system of the body. These gave rise to medical Chi Kung, which utilizes the same principles as traditional Chinese medicine (only without the use of needles),and is becoming more accepted and popular every day. Along with health maintenance through movement and medical Chi Kung, spiritual Chi Kung was introduced to China by Buddhist and Taoist adepts. Those methods involve mostly standing and sitting meditations that move the Chi through certain "Chakras" or energy centers of the body for the purpose of attaining enlightenment or Immortality.

WHAT IS CHI KUNG/TAI CHI?

Mark demonstrating part of the "Heart" style of Chi Kung/Tai Chi. Chi Kung/Tai Chi is a style of Tai Chi movement that is based upon the meridian system used in acupuncture and Chinese medical theory. Most styles of Tai Chi are grounded in Martial application, especially any Tai Chi Chuan style, because "Chuan" means "fist". The most popular styles of martial Tai Chi are the Chen style, the Yang, the Wu, the Hao and the Sun style. All of these styles were named after the family that originated them. Chi Kung Tai Chi, on the other hand, was founded by ancient Taoists, and those styles are actually precursors to the family styles. Three of those ancient styles were introduced into this country by Taoist Master Ni, Hua Ching. They are called Gentle Path, Sky Journey and Infinite Expansion. So why are Chi Kung/Tai Chi in particular, and Tai Chi in general so popular these days? And why do 180 MILLION people worldwide practice Tai Chi every day? It is because those who do practice every day have a longer, more active life than those who don't, and their health potential increases dramatically. Other exercises dissipate your energy, while Tai Chi accumulates it, leaving you feeling refreshed when you finish. The slow, dance-like speed of Tai Chi creates balance, flexibility and calmness. With an emphasis on deep breathing and using mental imagery, Tai Chi integrates your mind with your body, and is very effective at relieving stress. So why not learn Tai Chi from an international Tai Chi judge with 25 years teaching experience who has officiated in over 50 tournaments in the past 12 years? He has taught such famous individuals as Francis Ford Coppola, Tom Cruise, Nicolas Cage, Patrick Swayze, Emilio Estevez, Ralph Macchio and many others. With a background in acupuncture, Mark teaches 3 styles of Tai Chi exclusively from a health perspective and they include warm-ups that detoxify the body, postures that stimulate every gland and organ, and movements that loosen every joint in the body.

THE NATIONAL CHI KUNG ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

The NQA, of which Mark is one of the founders and is presently on the board of directors is a great way to meet other Qi enthusiasts. If anyone is interested in joining this grass-roots, democratic association, call:

Ali
888-815-1893