At different times of the day, in almost every park in China, you will find people participating in Qi Gong or Tai chi activities. When they’re performed, these exercises appear like a slow motion dance with practitioners fixated on having perfect and forms of their body. However, these practices also provide benefits beyond the body. In Chinese studies, both Qi Gong and Tai chi have been shown to treat the symptoms of anxiety and boost wellbeing and health.
Anxiety and Tai Chi
An ancient form of exercise in East Asia, Tai chi is a widely used type of exercise for both the old and young. It involves focus on the breath and deep concentration as practitioners perform a number of rhythmic postures that help calm their mood and give them absolute control over their bodies. Oftentimes, it is performed for about 30 minutes to an hour. People who perform tai chi are in full control of their negative emotions related to anxiety, are more mentally alert, and feel stronger.
This exercise can be practiced anytime and at any place, as it needs no special equipment and little space. Each body motion seamlessly segues into the next motion so much that it imitates a choreographed dance.
A low impact type of aerobic exercise, tai chi soothes the mind, enhances physical balance, and fortifies the body. Because of its low impact nature, it is an ideal exercise for seniors. It does not need any equipment and anyone can perform it outdoors or indoors in a group setting or in the comfort of their home.
Some of the Benefits of Tai Chi Exercise are as Follows:
? Improved muscle flexibility
? Stronger immune system
? Improved balance and agility
? Better quality sleep
? Greater aerobic potential
? Boost in stamina and higher energy
? Relief of anxiety and stress
? Reduces the risk of falls in older people
? A healthier heart, lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels
? Greater health and well-being
Anxiety and Qi Gong
Qi Gong is widely practiced in China and also evolved in the Far East. It can be used to balance and harmonize the mind and body and boost the circulation of chi throughout the body. Qi gong works on the notion that instead of the brain, the heart is the wellspring of most of our anxieties. This exercise can help clear out blockages that have developed in the channels of chi to the heart which results in the treatment anxiety-related shortness of breath, palpitations, and chest pain.
When performing qi gong, the patient suffering from anxiety lies or sits down with his practitioner performing some of the qi gong exercises. The practitioner courses the flow of chi steering the flow towards the heart center. To preserve the balance in between sessions, the patient needs to perform repetitive motion exercises and breathing exercises. Similar to meditation, the practitioner tells the patient that it is good to always stay in the present time.
People who prefer to practice Qi Gong at home, are advised to visualize energy being directed at keeping the chi flowing and to focus on their breath. The constant practice of these exercises leads to the cure of anxiety and helps you to feel better about the other aspects of your life. The exercises can bring health benefits and inside the body and course the movement of chi to the heart, which alleviates anxiety.
People can learn Qi Gong from qualified or experienced practitioners in Palm Harbor, DVDs, or the internet. As one becomes better and better at performing these exercises by themselves, sooner or later they will have no need for a practitioner or instructor to help them balance their chi and alleviate their anxiety.