Wellness
Both count as low-impact exercise.
Walk past a park or stroll through a gym and you might find people practicingtai chi.
The flowing exercise-meets-meditation has been around for many centuries and is renowned for itsroster of health benefits.
So how do you compare tai chi vs. qi gong?
The main point of differentiation is the movements themself.
Even if yourenew to tai chi,its generally easy to catch on as you flow through each posture.
This is called harmony and its a foundation of both practices.
With that said, heres more info on tai chi and qi gong.
What Is Tai Chi?
Tai chi started about800 years ago as a Chinese martial artwith origins in philosophy.
To start a tai chi practice, youll gather yourenergy or chiby lifting your hands.
Taylor recommends shaking it off by literally shaking your arms.
The Benefits Of Tai Chi
Tai chi offers multiple wellness perks to both your body and mind.
Taylor says its benefits includestrengthened immunity, betterbalance and mobility, greaterbone density, andreduced stress, among others.
What Is Qi Gong?
If so, you’ve already practicedqi gong.
Qi gong’s simple movements give us a way to do this.
Taylor explains that your chi is something youre innately able to access (like by jumping or sighing).
And practicing qi gong helps you tap into that sense of What does my body need right now?
and move energy around so you’re able to feel more balanced.
Tai Chi Vs. Qi Gong
Clearly, the differences between the two practices are subtle.
Where they overlap, however, is in how they benefit you beyond your muscular strength.
Studies referenced:
Huston P, McFarlane B.
Health benefits of tai chi: What is the evidence?
2016 Nov;62(11):881-890.
A Comprehensive Review of Health Benefits of Qigong and Tai Chi.
Medicines (Basel, Switzerland).
Retrieved September 22, 2021, fromhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32629903/.
