Pathways to Wellness

Wellness

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All of us move through different emotional states and perspectives in our daily lives. We interact with our environment and the people around us, responding to events and changes. In this flow of life we have choice – choice about our responses and decisions, and choices that we may not even be aware of.

Wellness reflects our capacity for conscious choice that shapes a positive life and expresses love for ourselves, our communities, and our environment.

Tai Chi, Chi Kung and Meditation comprise some of the “Pathways to Wellness” practiced at the Tai Chi and Wellness Academy.
These practices can strengthen our capability to access and mobilise the capacity for wellness that resides in all of us, and develop the ability for conscious choice even when pressures seem to block our freedom, or the movement of life sweeps us on an unexpected new journey.

In practice, the meditative, grounding and balancing arts of Tai Chi, Chi Kung and Meditation, can help you to build a strong and vibrant body, develop inner peace, raise your vibrations, and experience a greater capacity for love. This in turn creates holistic wellness that supports and sustains your life.

Tai Chi

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Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese martial art originally performed by Taoist monks on Wudang Mountain in China. Initially developed for self-defence, it has become extremely popular in the West as people of all ages discover for themselves the physical, emotional and mental benefits of this holistic form of exercise. The truth or true essence of Tai Chi is like expressing your core being, connecting with the internal Chi (energy), and developing a deeper connection with your Inner Self, through bringing about refinement of the physical and mental bodies.

Tai Chi is a form of slow, flowing, choreographed movements. Waysun Liao, in the translation of “Tai Chi Classics”, describes the benefits of Tai Chi as developing a presence that is “strong as an oak, flexible as a willow, and mentally clear as still water”. Research has found Tai Chi to be particularly effective for improving physical strength, balance, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness, while remaining a physically gentle form of mindful movement that is suitable for people of all ages, levels of fitness, and can be easily adapted where health challenges exist.

Infinite Tai Chi, the Tai Chi form taught at the Tai Chi and Wellness Academy, was created by Jason Chan, author and Taoist Master of the Infinite Arts Academy. Rosaleen and all of the Associate Teachers have trained as Tai Chi teachers with Master Jason Chan.

Chi Kung

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Chi Kung has been practiced for more than 5,000 years, originating in China, to strengthen the body and develop refined spiritual awareness. Chi Kung utilises breathing and body work exercises, incorporating postures and movements that cultivate the Chi life force. At the most fundamental level these exercises stimulate the internal organs, body systems, e.g. circulatory system, lymphatic system, and nervous system, and develop the skill of breath control. Continuous focused practice of Chi Kung grows the capacity to maintain internal stillness while engaging the body in movement.

The easy-to-learn postures and movements of Chi Kung, and positive imagery invoked in the practice, deliver accessible physical benefits and help to develop energy and inner stillness. It is therefore seen as an essential partner to Infinite Tai Chi at the Tai Chi and Wellness Academy, and is incorporated into most classes.

“Flowing water never stagnates, and the hinges of an active door never rust. This is due to movement. The same principle applies to essence and energy. If the body does not move, essence does not flow. When essence does not flow, energy stagnates.”

Confucius, from Spring and Autumn Annals

Meditation

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The fruits of meditation can only be realised through practice. This practice can bring about great peace and calm in one’s life, refreshment to the physical body and strengthen the focus of the mind. The goal of meditation is not only in receiving these many benefits during meditation but in bringing about a more permanent meditative self-presence and “oneness” in your everyday life.

Disciplined and patient practice will lead us to experience a greater capacity for love, increased ability to master our lives, a strong connection to the Light and the potential to awaken spiritually.

BENEFITS OF PRACTICE

Unsurprisingly a lot of the benefits of Meditation compliment those of Tai Chi and Chi Kung. However, Meditation also offers a powerhouse of additional benefits. It:

Increases self awareness
Elevates emotional health
May help reduce age related memory loss
Improves focus and attention span
Generates positive feelings and empathy

You can practice anywhere, anytime, or throughout your whole day, and no special clothing or equipment is required. The power of a practice is given to it by the person who practices it and not by the practice itself.

We must develop our practice from a mental exercise into a spiritual one, raising our consciousness and opening our capacity to experience true inner joy and love.

Pathways to Wellness

Wellness

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Tai Chi

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Chi Kung

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Meditation

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BENEFITS OF PRACTICE

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