As defined by Wikipedia, “Tai chi is a Chinese martial art practiced for both its defense training and its health benefits.” “ Qigong is a holistic system of coordinated body posture and movement, breathing, and meditation used in the belief that it promotes health, spirituality, and martial arts training.” I don’t know about you, but I can’t imagine learning tai chi or qigong by reading about them. That’s why I recommend the video series Essentials of Tai Chi and Qigong by David-Dorian Ross, B.A., International Master Tai Chi Instructor. Mr. Ross developed this twenty-four, thirty minute video lecture series in conjunction with The Great Courses. In this series he covers the following:
The snake and the crane
First steps in a journey
Harmony and balance
The ultimate martial art
The five families of tai chi practice
Qigong and the five animal frolics
Energy exercise—a branch of Chinese medicine
The first pillar of practice—forms
The second pillar—push hands for two
The third pillar—standing meditation
Benefits to the heart and immune system
A healthy weight and a healthy mind
Tai chi legends—stories of the masters
Reading the tai chi classics
A superior workout—use more of your muscles
Eight pieces of brocade and a better back
Tai chi weapons—when hands are not empty
Using the mind-inner organizing principles
Mental and physical flow
Creating space for choices
Flow at work-when business is in balance
Energy flow in your surroundings
Taking practice deeper
The evolution of tai chi
Again, this lecture series can be purchased through The Great Courses or rented from various libraries.