17/12/2025
This was interesting from the Qi Journal newsletter this month. It refers to Tai Chi, but the initial movement is also called Pulsing Qi, or Regulating Qi and this is also practiced in qigong. When done within the qigong practice the movement is repeated several times, therefore it is helpful to have an appreciation of why we are doing it...
"The Foundational Wisdom of Taiji's Opening Movements:
The opening sequences of Yang family 24-movement Taiji are not just a starting point but a gateway to understanding the art's essential philosophy. While beginners typically learn the movement's English names, they often miss the significance of the original Chinese.
起势 (Qǐ Shì) – Commencing Posture: Signifying "Rising Energy," this is where practice truly begins. From a stance of serene stillness (Wuji), the slow rise and fall of the hands mark the birth of Taiji—the differentiation of yin and yang from primordial unity. It is a silent ritual of "collecting the mind," establishing root to earth and connection to heaven. Far from passive, it sets the strategic framework for all that follows: aligning structure, sinking the qi, and cultivating the alert, yielding readiness that defines the art. It teaches that every beginning contains the seed of the entire journey."
Qigong goes so much deeper than just 'waving our arms around' 😁
