Tai Chi, Qi Gong and Taoism

 ‘Stand Like a Mountain, Flow Like a Great River’

‘Transform Qi into Softness’

Taoism and Tai Chi are intimately connected. The two quotes above come from the most famous Taoist text, the Tao Te Ching yet they articulate two of the most important precepts of Tai Chi and Qi Gong. Tai Chi and Qi Gong are sets of slow rhythmic movement synchronised with the mind and the breath that can help build great vitality in the body.

Taoism is an ancient Chinese philosophy and understanding of the universe and natural world. It is also very practical, offering a set of practices that help you to heal yourself, energise and provide a foundation for realising the truth of the universe.

One of the crown jewels of these practices is Qi Gong. This powerful exercise trains the body, mind and emotions. When body, mind and breath are brought together, powerful Qi energy can be produced and circulated within the body. This brings vitality to all parts of your being. Qi Gong and Tai Chi can literally transform your life. From harmonising the emotions and calming the mind to creating life, energy and vitality to enhancing focus and performance in everyday life and ultimately finding happiness and fulfilment. Transformation always takes place inside first, then it manifests in the outside world. Make transformation a reality for you and experience Qi Gong first hand.

Understanding the Taoist ideas of Tao, Yin & Yang, Heaven & Earth and Qi is essential to progressing in Qi gong. This talk will highlight the connections between Taoism and Qi Gong movement and will ground the esoteric and abstract in the practicalities of this art. You do not have to have done any Qi Gong or Tai Chi before, but if you have, you will gain a different perspective on the practice you already do.

This talk will answer a lot of your questions about Taoism and relate it to your everyday experience. It will be both an overview of the different aspects of Taoism and a way to connect to its main lessons and practices to enrich your life, find happiness and empowerment.

Your speaker for this incredible journey through Taoism and Qi Gong will be Alex Jacobs. Alex is an experienced practitioner of Chinese medicine, qualified in Acupuncture, Tui Na Massage and Chinese Herbal Medicine. He is also a Tai Chi teacher. He has had an interest in Chinese philosophy since a young age. This took him out to Taiwan 15 years ago to study Chinese in which he is now fluent. He has read numerous Taoist and Chinese medicine texts in the original Chinese and has been fortunate to have been trained by both great Chinese doctors but also great Taoist and spiritual masters from both West and East. His inspiration is to help make this information and these tools available for the public for their own self-healing, self-empowerment, awakening and transcendence.

If you have any questions or have trouble booking through meetup, you can contact Alex directly at alex@daomedicine.com or on 07917610596.

Alex also teaches weekly Tai Chi and Qi gong classes at West Hampstead Community Centre (Mondays 10:30am to 11:30am - £11, Thursdays 7pm-8:30pm -£15. All levels welcome. Contact him directly if you would like to come along.