Tai Chi Relaxation
太极松身九式
Tài Jí Sōng Shēn Jiǔ Shì
Chinese philosopher Wang Yang-Ming (1472-1529) emphasized 知行合一 zhi xing he yi, the unity of knowledge and action. In this training, you will learn a method to relax the body and activate your qi energy to flow. When the body is relaxed, qi flows. We all know this, but not everyone can FEEL and cultivate qi flow.
Tai Chi Relaxation is a holistic practice; when one organ becomes happy, other organs and the whole body are happy! Most people want to be happy and healthy - and the secret to both is relaxation of the body and heart. The Chinese cultural meaning of Heart 心 xin contains both the physical heart and the ‘Heart’ that we cannot see, in seven aspects: emotion, virtue, wisdom, concentration, desire, vision, and attitude.* This practice cultivates each of these.
Tai Chi Relaxation consists of nine meditative movements. Each movement in Tai Chi Relaxation corresponds with an acupuncture point based in TCM, Traditional Chinese Medicine. Benefits of the practice are achieved through kai -he (opening - uniting). The kai -he process helps to open the acupuncture points to purify the energy and improve the flow of qi. Above all, this process cultivates our ability to achieve deep relaxation.
Movement Functions and Acupuncture Points
The functions of each of the 9 meditations are described below.
| Movement | Accupuncture point | Meridian (point #) | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 百 会
bǎi huì (center of crown) |
Du (20) |
健脑安神，调节血压。 Nourish brain and calm/settle the mind, regulate blood pressure. (bǎi huì = hundred connections) |
| 2 | 膻 中 tán zhōng (heart point) |
Ren (17) |
宽胸理气，开郁散节。 Relieve the chest stuffiness, regulate the flow of qi. (tán zhōng = heart point, center of sternum/ribcage) |
| 3 | 中 脘 zhōng wǎn (center of stomach) |
Ren (12) |
健脾和胃，通腑降气。 Strengthens the spleen and stomach, clears the internal organs, and assists the qi going through/going downwards. (zhōng wǎn = center of internal cavity of stomach) |
| 4 | 关 元 guān yuán (Gate of Origin) |
Ren (4) |
培元固本，补益下焦。 Nourish the Yuan qi (prenatal qi), consolidate the root and enhance the function of lower Jiao. (guān yuán = Gate of Origin) |
| 5 | 长 强 cháng qiáng (long strong) |
Du (1) |
通调督脉，益气升阳。 Smoothing and adjusting Du Meridian, tonify qi and raising Yang. (cháng qiáng = long strong, in relation to spinal Column) |
| 6 | 大 椎 dà zhuī (large vertrebra) |
Du (14) |
通阳散寒， 舒经活络。 Unblocks yang qi and dispels cold, unblock meridians. (dà zhuī = large vertrebra) |
| 7 | 神 阙 shén què (spirit watchtower) |
Du (8) |
调节脏腑功能紊乱，提高机体免疫力，回阳固脱。 Regulate the dysfunction of viscera, improve the immunity of the body, and tonify Yang qi. (shén què = spirit watchtower/palace, navel point) |
| 8 | 至 阳 zhì yáng (reaching yang) |
Du (9) |
壮阳益气，理气宽胸，疏肝和胃。 Promote Yang qi, regulate qi smooth the chest, soothe the liver and harmonize stomach qi. (zhì yáng = reaching the yang, extremity of yang) |
| 9 | 命 门 mìng mén |
Du (4) |
温肾助阳，滋阴补阳，培元固本。 Warm kidney and promote Yang, nourish Yin and tonify Yang. strengthening kidney energy and protecting primordial energy. |
Yin-Yang Philosophy
Tai Chi Relaxation is a restorative, holistic practice. Based on Yin-Yang philosophy, it integrates nature and mind into one consciousness, one heart. The practice gently opens us to experience harmony in dynamic balance as we become one with the natural, peaceful, healing, flow of qi.
Practitioners Report
- Better sleep quality
- Improved digestion
- Increased respiratory function
- Improved ability to balance emotions
- feeling more calm and peaceful
Who Can Practice
Tai Chi Relaxation is open to everyone - beginners to advanced practitioners. The movements can be adjusted to accommodate individual needs and you can do it anywhere, in any attire! Nature is not only outside, but also inside. Set your body free and find nature wherever you are.
Meet Teacher Li Jing
Founder of Tai Chi Relaxation
Teacher Jing was born in Beijing, China and has lived and travelled around the globe while gratefully accumulating experiences with family, teachers and friends. Named Jing (Peace and Tranquility) by her parents, she began learning Wushu from her father, Li Junfeng, and eventually became a member of the Beijing Wushu Team. Jing is a World champion of Tai Chi Chuan Chen-Style, the 42 Tai Chi Sword and Traditional Chinese Medicine student of Liu Tian-Jun in Beijing.
Teacher Jing graduated from the School of Health Sciences at Örebro University in Sweden where her doctoral study researched the relationship between Tai Chi and health. She lives in Germany with her husband and two children.
