Qi Works Description

Health is an important issue in today’s society.  All walks of life and ages are looking for ways to improve the quality of their health.  Each age group have special concerns and needs specific to their age but all need to be active in a way that will engage and keep their interest.  The ideas and practices in oriental medicine have sparked new approaches to some of these health issues.  Qi Works combines the practices of Qigong, Tai Chi Chuan, Yoga and western muscle training as a method of improving people’s health.

Some of the health concerns the elderly face involve mobility, balance, memory and diseases.  Several diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, cancers, high blood pressure, and heart problems can have a devastating effect on an elderly person’s mobility, balance & memory.  Being involved in activities that focus on these three abilities will give the elderly better quality of life.  Qigong & Tai Chi focus on all three.  Both are what are called moving mediations.  It is like a slow dance in which one must focus in order to perform.  There are several sequences of movement that have been designed for specific diseases such as arthritis & diabetes.  Yoga helps improve muscle flexibility once one is mobile, while weight training provides for strengthening & toning of the muscles.  All three of these practices support one another in helping the elderly improve their health.

Parents of school aged children also have concerns about their children’s health.  Children can have attention problems, hyperactivity, under activity, learning & social problems that can lead to serious health issues.  Tai Chi Chuan is one of the foundations of the martial arts.  It provides children with a purpose for their training such as advancing through a ranking system.  As with the elderly it will improve a child’s mobility, balance & memory.  It may also improve their ability to concentrate and use excess energy. Yoga also helps with quieting the mind which in turn improves concentration.  Yoga can also improve motor skills and flexibility through the different stretching sequences.  Older children may benefit for some weight training.

Working adults can suffer from anxiety, stress, concentration problems, and diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and cancers.   Using Qigong & Tai Chi along with yoga and weight training can start people moving.  Just moving can improve balance & memory.  We now know that exercise, even just a little helps with many diseases caused by the stress of work and family.  As with the elderly and the young, middle aged adults can benefit for Qi Works’ unique combination of these eastern & western practices.