Wake Up or Cool Down Qigong Exercise Video

Here is a short video (approx. 10 min.) of self-massage Qigong exercises that we use as a cool down after every Tai Chi Class.  These exercises are an excellent way to help you wake up in the morning and to make you feel energized as you start your day.  They are also excellent cool down exercises after any workout (running, martial arts, weight lifting, etc) to relax the body and increase circulation to the muscles and joints.  These types of self-massage techniques can help your body repair faster after workouts, which means less down time and a healthier body.  Most of these exercises are very silly looking, but once you feel the difference they make, you probably will not care about their silly appearance.  Enjoy!

Tai Chi Offers Better Quality of Life Than Many Popular Activities

According to an article published in "Supreme Chi Living," an online journal by The American Tai Chi and Qigong Association, Tai Chi practitioners report better quality of life than those active in other activities popular in our culture today.  We have included the article as well as a link back to the original website below for you to see it for yourself.  Enjoy!

"Tai Chi Participation Shows More Positive Impact on Quality of Life than Gym Exercise and Book Clubs
 
June 27, 2013 - Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) is a traditional Chinese medicine practice and martial art with bio-psychosocial aspects. A study published by Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in its May 2013 issue aimed to examine the impact of participation in TCC on multiple domains of Quality of Life (QoL) and to assess the involvement of the psychological factors of self-efficacy, Locus of Control (LoC) and Hope in these effects.
A total of 68 participants from the general community (13 males and 55 females) aged between 18 and 68 (M=43.55 years) and not currently suffering from a mental or physical illness took part in the study.
It was found that TCC participants, as a group, scored significantly better than those in sedentary (book club) and active (gym exercise) control conditions on Psychological and Physical QoL, and that the Physical QoL benefits of TCC continue to accrue with years of practice. The three psychological factors were shown to variously mediate (self-efficacy) and moderate (internal LoC and Hope) this latter relationship.
Whilst the results bear limitations (in particular small sample sizes), it is hoped that these findings will encourage further research into TCC, and consideration of TCC as part of the range of treatment options available in community-based mental and physical health management." 

View Article on Original Website Here.


If you live in Amador County and are looking for a place to study Tai Chi Chuan, take a look at our Class Schedules and Locations page to find the best time and location for you.  We offer Tai Chi Chuan classes in Jackson, CA and Pine Grove, CA as well as a Qigong class in Sutter Creek, CA.

New "Lifestyle" Post.

I just added another post in the lifestyle section of this blog.  It's titled "Vitamin D and Calcium Help with Weight Loss"  feel free to have a look.  :)

New "Lifestyle" Section

I just wanted to give everyone a heads up about the new "Lifestyle" section of this blog.  The link to it is on the left side of this page under the *New Section* heading (Sandwiched between the "Pages" list and the "Product of the Month" listing).  :) 

This section will contain articles from the Awareness Lifestyle eMagazine which is put out by the company that produces the products I carry in Amador County's Online Health Food Store.  They contain healthy eating tips, product information, weight loss tips, nutrition information, etc. and I want to make them available for you to read.  :)

I hope you all enjoy reading this new section and find the information useful for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. 

Click Here to visit the NEW Lifestyle section of the blog.