TCM Week 11
What experiences have you had with any style of martial arts?
During the Qi Gong session, I could feel my breathing and energy flowing more freely, and my concentration became clearer, then a relaxed feeling after the first 5 minutes. Initially it was hard to concentrate and I was very aware of the movements, and thinking about ‘how to’ do them properly – overthinking it! I hope that it gets easier with practice.
I enjoyed learning about functional breathing this week, and I practiced the ‘frog’, and ‘tree’ examples from the lectures. I didn’t know that there are two types of training for Qigong: external and internal. Wai Dan is external and focuses on the arms and legs. It is a moderate intensity of Physical Exercise and so isn’t a relaxation or restorative exercise. Nei Dan is Internal, and focuses on Jing, and building Qi in the body through gentle movement, breath, and mindfulness (Endeavour College 2021).
Another point I found interesting from this week, is that there are three types of qi paths. The fire path flows down the front of the body and loops back up from the back, in a circular motion. The wind path is a reverse flow of energy to the fire path, it moves up the front of the body and over the head, back down the spine and to the front again. The water path follows a similar flow of direction to the fire path, however the energy flow is more internally-focused and should only be attempted with a prior level of experience of practice (Endeavour college 2021)
There was a lot of interesting information in this week’s session. Qi Gong, and Tai Chi have holistic benefits to wellbeing which can be measured by physical changes in the body such as relaxation, and overall improvements in the physiological functions of the body, which can be seen as positive results from the exercises (Endeavour college 2021)
Read the article (Journal article; ‘The Effect of Tai Chi Exercise on Immunity and Infections’ and comment on your understanding of how Tai Chi can improve the immune system.
The article found evidence of the positive effects of Tai Chi, on Cell and Antibody mediated immunity. It found fewer articles about how Tai Chi affects the parameters of Immunity. However overall the results were encouraging.
Tai Chi, is a physical and meditative practice, combining gentle movements and postures coordinated with breathing patterns to achieve a harmonious flow of energy. There is evidence to show that moderate intensity exercises such as Tai Chi, can reduce incidences of URTI’s and other illnesses that occur when immunity is lowered. (Rainbow, Chong & Siu-Man et al).
Tai Chi exercise is measured here against outcomes such as physical improvements of symptoms relevant to infections, and biomedical indicators of immunity, e,g, How does functional immunity change as people practice Tai Chi? Is there a measurable difference in innate and adaptive immunity? The evidence shows that there are holistic effects which improve health and wellbeing, and more study is needed on the physiological processes that occur when practicing Tai Chi (Rainbow, Chong & Siu-Man et al).
From the study notes this week, there are 5 Schools of Tai Chi: Chen Style, Yang Style, Wu or Wu (Hao) Style, Wu Style (a divergent branch) and Sun Style. Chen Style has over 300 positions and is very dynamic. There are large, bounding movements, and it is the most high intensity. Yang style reduced movements to around 100 and made the exercises less intensive so that there are no large bounding and jumping moves. Wu (Hao) Style
circular movements, small, subtle movements, balance and sensitivity, and cultivating qi from the dantian and into the arms and legs. Wu style is partner Tai Chi. One partner pushes, the other gives. Movements are achieved by cooperation with each other. It focuses on parallel footwork and horse stance, large circular techniques, along with grappling, wrestling, throwing and foot sweeping. Sun style focuses on a synergy of energies, through circular movements of the hands and feet, and advances and retreats in footwork (Endeavour college 2021).