Acorn Media The Best of Tai Chi and Qi Gong

Tai Chi for Beginners The ancient art of Tai Chi uses gentle, flowing movements to reduce stress, strengthen the body and mind and improve overall well-being. Developed in China as a martial art, Tai Chi is a graceful form of exercise that has been practised for centuries. Anyone, regardless of age or physical ability, can benefit from Tai Chi and this expertly taught beginner programme is the perfect place to start. Regarded as one of the finest and most influential Tai Chi practitioners of his generation, Grandmaster Chen leads you through basic, low-impact exercises with easy-to-follow instructions. And the programme’s unique bonus features make learning the movements a breeze. Increase flexibility, muscle tone, stamina and strength while reducing stress and renewing energy with this beautiful beginner’s programme. Tai Chi and Qi Gong Basics Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese martial art that enhances agility and power. Qi Gong is a Chinese health system that’s been practised for centuries to improve mental and physical awareness. Taught by Matthew Cohen, a martial-arts master with 30 years experience, these two programmes cultivate strength and tranquility in the mind and body. The Tai Chi programme contains three segments. First, you’ll learn the essential poses of Tai Chi. Next, you’ll move through the postures to create harmony and grace while increasing flexibility and endurance. Finally, you’ll put it all together to build overall muscle tone and promote vigour and vitality. The Qi Gong programme conditions the body and expands the senses through slow, natural, repetitive movements. You’ll stimulate your immune system and gain a sense of balance and inner calm with this healing practise. Step-By-Step Tai Chi A daily ritual practiced by millions all over the globe, Tai Chi offers a wealth of health benefits. The low-impact, flowing movements sharpen the mind and strengthen the body, reducing stress and increasing flexibility. Regular practice can help lower blood pressure, relieve chronic pain and improve sleep. If you’re an athlete, you’ll find that Tai Chi improves your focus and endurance. But to get the most out of a Tai Chi practice, expert instruction from the start is key. So is the ability to repeat sections over and over until they are second nature. International martial arts champion Tiffany Chen learned this 60-movement Yang-form practice from her father, Grandmaster William C.C. Chen. Her expertise and the unique features of this DVD make it ideal for beginners or others wanting to improve their practice. Qi Gong - Fire & Water Qi Gong (CHEE-gong) is an ancient Chinese health system that promotes mental and physical balance and a feeling of calm vitality. Millions of people have discovered the amazing benefits of these simple standing exercises, breathing and slow repetitive natural movements. Filmed amid the beauty of California’s Alabama hills, developed and taught by Chinese martial arts and Qi Gong expert Matthew Cohen, these two 40-minute programmes cultivate calm, balanced energy and vitality, detoxify the body and offer the practitioner a sense of inner peace. Fire heats and strengthens the body, activates and expands the senses, relieves depression, stimulates the immune system and detoxifies the body. Water cools the body and calms the nervous system, develops grace and greater range of motion, promotes deep relaxation and releases tension, stress, anxiety and fear.