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T'ai Chi for Health has been active at the Community Learning Center for more than 7 years.

The class is free of charge, and the group meets every Monday at 3:30 PM and 5:30 PM.

Our mission is to explore alternative methods of promoting wellness via t'ai chi, qi gong, and meditation.

The goals are: to expose the class to the philosophy, to learn one or more forms, and to "feel your chi".

Message Board:

Effective today, 03/09/2020, there will be no more classes conducted at the Glens Falls Hospital. It is a sad notice to post. We are seeking a different venue, and hope to have some outdoor classes. Watch this spot!! I will try to keep you posted on status, locations, etc. I have also set up a private page on FB. You may be recieving emails with details if you are currently attending.
    As of August 2020, I have decided to step aside from the class. This website will be available as a resource, but I will not be updating the page going forward. I have no idea if the class will continue under new direction, or in a new venue. CoVid has made it difficult in terms of location, and in regards to wearing of masks. Meantime, I encourage people to continue, at a minimum, at your own pace at your own place. Peace to all.

18 Step Qi Gong video-

         audio is Chinese, but you can see the     

      steps. Note how the legs flex up/down,

      and position of feet, etc.

 

* I tried to exclude the related videos at the end of the clip. You can just  cancel or close at end*

the "Glens Falls form, or as we call it, "The Neil Form"

video:

David Dorian-Ross discussing T'ai Chi for health on PBS.

He is a silver medalist in T'ai Chi and has several T'ai Chi videos available, including;  AM Chi      T'ai Chi for Energy      T'ai Chi in Paradise

                                         (to name a few. I highly recommend them.)

I     The Mystery of Chi          

 

f you would like to gain some insight into T'ai chi and some Eastern philosophies, a good starting point is the Bill Moyers video                

 There are several more tai chi related videos below- feel free to scan down through to view them. There is a lot of useful information linked here for your personal enlightenment.

DIRECTION! 

This video is a great example of the direction you should be facing 

for each position- note the angles relative to the lines of the floor

tiles. It is also a good demonstration of the style that WE practice

at GFH TaiChi for Health.

Acupuncture utilizes many facets of T'ai Chi-

      life energy (chi), meridians, relaxation, meditation, focus, and environment.

  Also see the article on  Cupping on the acupuncture, acupressure page.

​

Good Information regarding the health benefits of T'ai Chi

and qigong-  click on the banner to visit the web site.

Very enlightening! We are on the right path.....

Tai Chi Exercises Both Mind and Body

Centuries-old practice gains new followers- web article

The health benefits of Tai Chi

are currently being widely studied. The art has been associated with reduced stress, anxiety, depression, and enhanced mood, in both healthy people and those with chronic conditions.

In addition, Tai Chi has been shown to improve aerobic capacity, increase energy, and build muscle strength.

There are health benefits associated with Tai Chi for people suffering from:

Some Reasons to practice T'ai Chi

  • Movements are low-impact and gentle and put minimal stress on your muscles and joints.

  • The risk of injury is very low.

  • You can do it anywhere, anytime.

  • It requires very little space (no excuses apartment dwellers!) and no special clothing or equipment.

  • You do it at your own pace.

  • It's noncompetitive.

  • It can be done in groups or by yourself

  • There are lots of movements to keep you interested, and as you become more accomplished you can add those to your routine.

An amusing video from My Little Pony- shows that our children are being exposed to some of the philosophies of chakras, energy, vibration levels... and it's cute too! Humor is one of our "tools for health" !

Tools to protect yourself from negative energy, and more...

      {click on image to open web page in new window}

   Poetry in motion..... moving meditation

The QIGONG INSTITUTE- a  FANTASTIC  web site.     Too much information to even summarize!          

                                                                    {click on the banner to open in a new window}                                                                                                       

video:

          David-Dorian Ross at 2007 US WUSHU Team Trials

video:

 David-Dorian Ross:            AM Chi for Beginners

Tai chi’s approach of using conscious slow movements is a radical departure from the typical Western approach to fitness, which often focuses on repetitive movements and physical exersion, such as in fitness regimens like running, biking or weight lifting. Further, “success” in the many western sports and athletics is often determined by speed, distance, strength or when competing who “wins”. Tai chi has a completely different set of markers and guideposts for success such as consciousness within body, proper body alignments and developing the smooth flow of energy. It is about generating peace within your entire being."                            

                                                                                                                                Bruce Frantzis.

Bruce Frantzis.

David Dorian-Ross

Tai Chi Benefits for Health: Feel More Alive

More restful sleep, deeper breathing, improved balance, increased flexibility…The list of tai chi benefits for health goes on and on. It even includes better sex.

 

Tai chi offers a way to truly relax. The rhythms of bending and stretching in tai chi help to relax the body and to free it from mental and physical tension and stress.

 

Tai Chi Reduces Tension. Tension is the opposite of relaxation. With tension, the body becomes constricted and cannot move freely or function efficiently.

 

With high levels of stress and tension over long periods of time, the body becomes weakened and more susceptible to disease and death.

Use tai chi to reduce tension and stress in your life, and enjoy a healthier and more energetic life.

 

Here’re some specific health benefits that tai chi practitioners can experience.

 

Alleviate hypertension through tai chi. High blood pressure is a condition which affects 1 out of 3 adults. High blood pressure is associated with higher risk of heart attacks and stroke, as well as other organ failures. Also known as hypertension, it’s essentially a condition of overstressed blood vessels. The blood vessels have lost some of their elasticity and are no longer able to effectively transport oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. In turn, this requires the heart to work harder, creating a strain on the heart muscles.

 

Tai chi helps to improve blood flow by increasing the ability of blood vessels to expand and to contract. Tai chi has been shown in numerous medical studies to reduce high blood pressure—thereby also reducing the risk of heart attacks, stroke, and kidney failure.

Tai chi increases the blood flow. Tai chi practitioners often feel quite warm during and after a practice session—a natural result of increased blood flow as well as increased qi or life force energy.

 

Tai chi helps the joints and mobility. This increase in blood flow can be especially important for the hands and feet. Poor circulation to the extremities may be evidenced by habitually cold hands and feet. Some suffer from stiffness and pain in these areas from arthritis and other degenerative diseases. Others have damaged these areas through over-use, as seen in computer users and dancers, among others.

Tai chi brings blood, warmth and qi to the throughout the body and helps to lubricate the joints--making movements easier and increasing the range of motion in the joints, even in the areas farthest from the heart.

 

Tai chi strengthens the immune system. Tai chi not only increases blood flow, tai chi increases the flow of all body fluids, including the lymph. This is a fluid in the body responsible for transporting immune system cells where needed. Unlike blood, which is pumped by the heart, lymph flow is entirely dependent on body movements and contractions of the muscles surrounding the lymph system.

 

Because tai chi creates stretching--not only in the large muscles of the body, but even the smallest--lymph flow and also the body’s immune response is helped through tai chi. And with a stronger immune system bolstered through tai chi, you’re less likely to come down with colds, flus, and other infections.

 

Tai chi helps with balance and coordination. Tai chi is about grounding, both physically and mentally. Through the slow movements of tai chi, one learns to sink one’s energy downward to remain balanced and grounded, even when standing on only one leg or in other potentially stressful situations.

 

Less Fear of Falling. Tai chi has been shown to not only improve balance, it also reduces people’s fears of falling and helps them to make speedier recoveries after a balance mishap (saving them from falling). With greater confidence, along with better coordination and reaction times, tai chi practitioners are less likely to fall and to suffer injuries from a fall.

 

Tai chi helps with mental clarity. In addition to helping with physical balance and grounding, tai chi helps practitioners to be mentally grounded as well. The downward dropping of energy moves energy out of the head and makes it available for use in other parts of the body. At the same time, there is less energy to feed worries, nonsensical thoughts, and even headaches.

Medical studies have shown that tai chi can help practitioners experience less frequent and less severe tension headaches.

More Calmness and Creativity. In fact, practitioners report more mental space to focus or for creative endeavors. Tai chi practitioners also experience improved psychological well-being and mental calmness.

 

Deeper Sleep. With this greater peace of mind, they are also able to fall asleep faster, and to enjoy deeper, more regenerative sleep.

 

Health benefits for all. Everyone--from young athletes to the elderly with mobility problems--can reap the health benefits from practicing tai chi.......and the health benefits of tai chi are many.

 

They’ve been documented in numerous medical studies in the U.S., China, as well as other countries.

 

But, you don’t need to rely on these research reports, no matter how many. Find out for yourself by trying a tai chi class. Even total beginners can walk away with a feeling of being somehow more alive after their first tai chi session.

Tai chi:           A gentle way to fight stress

Tai chi helps reduce stress and anxiety,

and it also helps increase flexibility and balance.     By Mayo Clinic staff

 

Tai chi involves a series of movements performed in a slow, focused manner. If you're looking for a way to reduce stress, consider

tai chi (TIE-CHEE). Originally developed for self-defense, tai chi has evolved into a graceful form of exercise that's now used for stress reduction and a variety of other health conditions. Often described as meditation in motion, tai chi promotes serenity through gentle, flowing movements.

What is tai chi ?

Tai chi is an ancient Chinese tradition that, today, is practiced as a graceful form of exercise. It involves a series of movements performed in a slow, focused manner and accompanied by deep breathing.

Tai chi, also called tai chi chuan, is a noncompetitive, self-paced system of gentle physical exercise and stretching. Each posture flows into the next without pause, ensuring that your body is in constant motion.

Tai chi has many different styles. Each style may have its own subtle emphasis on various tai chi principles and methods. There are also variations within each style. Some may focus on health maintenance, while others focus on the martial arts aspect of tai chi.

Who can do tai chi ?

Tai chi is low impact and puts minimal stress on muscles and joints, making it generally safe for all ages and fitness levels. In fact, because tai chi is low impact, it may be especially suitable if you're an older adult who otherwise may not exercise.

You may also find tai chi appealing because it's inexpensive, requires no special equipment and can be done indoors or out, either alone or in a group.

 

Why try tai chi ?

When learned correctly and performed regularly, tai chi can be a positive part of an overall approach to improving your health. The benefits of tai chi include:

  • Decreased stress and anxiety

  • Increased aerobic capacity

  • Increased energy and stamina

  • Increased flexibility, balance and agility

  • Increased muscle strength and definition

Some evidence indicates that tai chi also may help:

  • Enhance quality of sleep

  • Enhance the immune system

  • Lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure

  • Improve joint pain

  • Improve symptoms of congestive heart failure

  • Improve overall well-being in older adults

  • Reduce risk of falls in older adults

 

Maintaining the benefits of tai chi

While you may get some benefit from a 12-week tai chi class, you may enjoy greater benefits if you continue tai chi for the long term and become more skilled.

You may find it helpful to practice tai chi in the same place and at the same time every day to develop a routine. But if your schedule is erratic, do tai chi whenever you have a few minutes. You can even practice the soothing mind-body concepts of tai chi without performing the actual movements when you are in a stressful situation, such as a traffic jam or a tense work meeting, for instance.

Reasons You Should Try Tai Chi

And 3 ways to actually do it

By Kristen Domonell

 

If you think tai chi is something best left to Mr. Miyagi and The Karate Kid, it’s time for an update. Adding a little tai chi to your life could help lower your risk for developing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Researchers from the University of South Florida collaborated with Chinese researchers to compare the effects of tai chi—an ancient Chinese practice of slow, deliberate movements intended to help with relaxation and balance—on the brain. They split 120 elderly Shanghai residents into four groups: one group practiced tai chi, one walked, another upped their social interaction, and the last group just went about their normal routines. 

Brain Health

Sharpen your mind and improve your concentration in just 28 days!

The results? After 40 weeks, those who practiced tai chi three times a week had the biggest improvements in brain volume, an important part of cognition since gray matter typically shrinks with age. The social group also saw an improvement, but not as significant as the tai chi group. Researchers suggest that the high level of attention needed for the different tai chi movements could be what sets it apart. 

More from Prevention: 8 Ways To Prevent Alzheimer's Disease

This latest research adds to other science-backed tai chi benefits. A Tufts Medical Center study found that adults with knee osteoarthritis—the most common joint disease in midlife—saw up to three times greater improvement in both pain and joint function from biweekly tai chi sessions. And a study from Ireland found that a combo of exercise, meditation, and breathing helped relieve anxiety and depression among study participants. 

Can tai chi help with arthritis?
There is some evidence that tai chi can improve mobility in the ankle, hip and knee in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RH). However, it is still not known if tai chi can reduce pain in people with RH or improve their quality of life.

Is tai chi good for treating osteoporosis?
Studies have looked into the potential benefits of tai chi for people with osteoporosis, but there is currently no convincing evidence that tai chi can prevent or treat osteoporosis.

 

Am I too old for tai chi?
No, tai chi is a low-impact form of exercise, which means it won’t put much pressure on your bones and joints and most people should be able to do it.

 

Is tai chi suitable for me?
Get advice from your GP before starting tai chi if you have any health concerns or an existing health condition. You may need to take certain precautions if you’re pregnant, have a hernia, back pain or severe osteoporosis.

 

Don't I need to be fit to do tai chi?
No, tai chi is ideal for inactive older people wanting to raise their activity levels gently and gradually. Also, many of the tai chi movements can even be adapted to people with a disability, including wheelchair users.

 

Can I injure myself doing tai chi?
Tai chi is essentially a gentle activity unlikely to cause injury if done correctly. The exercises involve lots of flowing, easy movements that don’t stress the joints or muscles.

 

Tips on getting started
It’s a good idea to watch a class or attend a free taster session before signing up for a course. If you have a medical condition, any health concerns or haven’t exercised for a long time, speak to your GP before you start tai chi.

 

Are there different styles of tai chi?
Yes, such as yang, chen and wu. Some teachers often practise a combination of styles. The main differences between the different tai chi styles are in the speed of movement and the way the body holds the postures.

There are a LOT of on-line resources, such as free lessons!

video:  The Power of Chi 

          watch, and draw your own conclusions !

              More on Chi:                                                   What is Chi?

 

     Put simply, chi (qi) is that which gives life. In terms of the body, chi is that which differentiates a corpse from a live human being.

To use a Biblical reference, it is that which God breathed into the dust to produce Adam. Chi is also the basis of acupuncture.

A strong life force makes a human being totally alive, alert and present while a weak force results in sluggishness and fatigue. You can increase and develop your chi to overcome illness, become more vibrant and enhance mental capacity.

The concept of a life force is found in most of the ancient cultures of the world. In India, it is called prana; in China, chi; in Japan, ki; for Native Americans, the Great Spirit. For all these cultures and others as well, the idea of life force is or was central to their forms of medicine and healing.

Both Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture are based on balancing and enhancing chi to bring the body into a state of health.

CHI.
Universal Life Force Energy - The Aura, Chakras and Meridians.

 

Everything in creation is made up of electromagnetic energy vibrating at different frequencies that correspond to sound, light and color. The existence of electromagnetic fields around every object in the world - known as an Aura - is a scientifically proven fact. The Chinese refer to this energy as'Chi' (pronounced Chee), the vital life force energy of the Universe, present within every living thing. Western medical science is now beginning to take a serious look at ancient Far Eastern traditions that focus on Chi, the life force energy which flows through the body pathways - known as meridians and chakras - of all living forms, in order to maintain health and wellness, mentally, physically and emotionally.

 What Is Chi Energy?                          Written by Karen Scheel | Filed under: Healing

 

      As the standard of living increases the interest in health is also rising and consequently Chi (pronounced: chee) is increasing as well. To understand Chi, we must look back to the very beginnings of Oriental Medicine to Taoism (pronounced: dow-ism). Taoism means “The Way,” and is the most influential root of Oriental Medicine. The ancient physicians or Taoist’s main focus was to observe the way of the natural laws governing the universe as a method to understand the unseen inner world of our physical body.

One philosophical foundation on which their medical theories was built recognized that everything in the universe is composed of two complementary yet opposing energetic forces known as Yin (female) and Yang (male). Yin the female principle is associated with water and represents the earth. Yang the male principle is associated with fire and represents heaven. It is believed that Yin and Yang (female and male) are the two primary forces that unite the water energy of the earth with the fire energy of heaven. These two energetic life forces are responsible for all creation, and together they create Chi which means energy. Einstein’s famous equation concludes energy forms matter and when matter disperses it coverts back to energy; every particle of existence is made of energy (Chi) and explains all movement, changes, and phenomena in our universe.

These ancient people believed the same natural laws of Yin and Yang governing the universe had to influence human beings. We were not considered a separate entity; we were viewed as a miniature universe subjected to the very same universal laws. If Chi was the creating force of all visible components then they believed it had to be a factor behind our existence as well. Therefore, from Yin and Yang came the Five Elements of the universe. These Five Elements – Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, and Metal give birth to all things in creation, including human beings.

The human body as a miniature universe houses 12 energetic channels or pathways wherein Chi flows. These channels are known as “meridians” which control both our gross and subtle anatomy. Our gross anatomy is the physical form we can see. Our subtle anatomy is the energy body most cannot see. This subtle energetic body represents the whole of which we are – our body, mind, emotions, and spirit. Unlike the veins that our blood flows through, meridian pathways also travel throughout body, but rather than fluid they deal more with energy and states of consciousness. Each meridian is associated with one of the Five Elements and is linked to either a Yin or Yang organ of the physical body. Each organ of the physical body is linked to our thoughts and emotions and reflect our state of consciousness.

It is said Chi applies to the human body in 2 ways; inherit Chi and acquired Chi. Inherit Chi is the energy we receive from our parents at the time of conception. Acquired Chi is the energy accumulated by the quality of life we choose to lead, the food we ingest, and the quality of air that we breathe. It is believed  the major cause of all disease stems from a blockage of Chi circulation. People become ill when either they cannot absorb enough Chi or the circulation in their body becomes blocked. Human beings cannot sustain a high quality of life by food and breathing alone. It is important to have a strong flow of Chi energy, as the most nutritious food would be of no use if our inner constitution were weak. In order to absorb and integrate the external universal energy we must learn to integrate and strengthen the fundamental life force within. Chi healing is an ongoing process of cultivating, strengthening, and balancing the Yin (female) and Yang (male) of our being. Good health is learning to live in balance with the all aspects of our internal world – the body, mind, emotions, and spirit so that we may be in balance and good relationship with all aspects of our external world.

GROUNDED

This is an interesting documentary, and ties in well with the

theory of using energy for health

( It is long, so plan accordingly!   * click to open in new window)

video-  Five Animals of Qi Gong....

Similar to the elements qi gong. I like this a lot, and I am going to try to master some of the poses and bring them to class. However, some of those are beyond my physical capabilities!

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