Tai Chi Tuesday: Video Introduction to Chi Healing

Chi healing — using your energy to help another person feel better and heal quickly — is easy to learn, and easy to do. Watch my video below to find out more.

Tai Chi Tuesday: Get Ready for World Tai Chi and Qi Gong Day April 27

Join this global movement: find an activity in your area on World Tai Chi and Qi Gong Day April 27.

Find out more at the World Tai Chi and Qi Gong Day website.

Tai Chi Tuesday: Differences Between Tai Chi and Qi Gong

Tai Chi Tuesday: Bone Marrow Breathing

Many of my clients and friends do not get enough sleep. Adults need seven to eight hours of  sleep a night. Sleep deprivation is a huge cause of weight gain, not to mention lack of mental focus. However, when you need a quick pick-up, consider bone marrow breathing.

Make no mistake: what I am proposing is not a substitute for sleep. But if you get a bit run-down during the day, put aside 15 minutes to try this breathing method.

You may have heard your tai chi, qi gong and yoga instructors teach abdominal breathing. This is different.

Bone marrow breathing is reverse abdominal breathing, and it works like this: 
As you inhale, gently pull your stomach in and up. 
On the exhale, gently press your stomach downward, compressing the diaphragm. 

The breaths should be smooth — and not forced. The body needs to be relaxed.

Inhaling for more time than the exhale is a great way to pull energy into the body.
Conversely. exhaling a bit longer than the inhale produces greater chi outward and can be converted to jin (power).

Tai Chi Tuesday: Sharing Information

Finding a valuable resource is important. Sharing it is important, too.

I met Shifu Loretta Wollering at the Tai Chi Gala in Albany this summer. She is the organizer as well as a presenter.

Her knowledge of Qi Gong and Tai Chi is extensive and thorough, and her instruction methods are easy to follow and interesting. She runs Internal Gardens Tai Chi, which offers excellent instruction both in person and through its resources.

Check out this video of her studio classes:

I hope to continue to learn from Shifu Loretta, and I hope to see her again at next summer's Tai Chi Gala.

Have you found an excellent teacher? What do you like most about her or him?