
Authentic Tai Chi classes in
Welwyn and St Albans
HERTS School of T'ai Chi Ch'uan
Click on the picture to start (or stop) this video
All Tai Chi is Qigong, but...
....not all Qigong is Tai Chi. Ours definitely is, as we work with the flows of energy inherent in our Tai Chi form. Our 5-element Qigong is a way to become more aware of these energy flows [which link to emotions] in our body, and then to manage or regulate them.
We focus on our breathing, and combine this with either holding of an individual position, continuously moving between left and right versions of the position, or developing this into a flowing 'walk'. We also teach specific self massages. All this is supported with mental imagery to help move the Qi.
Our 5-element Qigong (or Ch'i Kung), is also known as 'Roots & Branches', and the video is from TCF's Roots & Branches DVD. It is a wonderful description of Qi. Although Qi (or Ch'i) sounds a bit like the Chi in Tai Chi, it is a different Chinese word. Often translated as 'energy', or even 'life force', it can also mean 'breath'. So Qigong is 'cultivation of Qi', but can also simply be called 'breath work'.
We teach Qigong in classes which typically focus in each class on just one particular energy / emotion, represented by a particular "element" in the Chinese system, and also associated with a particular season. There are 5 seasons / elements / energies / emotions:
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Winter = Water = Courage / Strength (or Fear / Anxiety as their negatives)
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Spring = Wood = Assertion / Determination (or Anger / Frustration as their negatives)
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Summer = Fire = Joy / Excitement (or Out of Control / Carelessness as their negatives)
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Harvest = Earth = Love / Nurture (or Disgust / Shame as their negatives)
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Autumn = Metal = Letting Go / Being Inspired (or Sadness / Being deflated as their negatives)