Chi Kung and Tai Chi Chuan

Chi Kung or QiGong is the ancient Chinese practice for health, therapy, and longevity thought to balance one's life force and promote healing. It is a self-healing art that combines movement, relaxation, mind-body integration, breathing and meditation. "Chi" means vital energy of the body, and "Kung" means the skill of working with, or cultivating, self-discipline and achievement. There are thousands of different forms of Chi Kung, each varying in degree of difficulty. Chi Kung is typically composed of simple and controlled movements, making the learning of this form much easier.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, each form of life has a source of "chi" or "qi" (energy or life force). When this flow of chi is blocked or impeded, imbalance and dysfunction in the body's systems can occur. To restore a healthy physical and mental state, the chi must be shifted back into balance. Having developed awareness of chi flowing throughout the body advanced practitioners can use their mind and/or yi (intent) to guide the Chi.

Chi Kung seeks to cultivate the "three treasures": chi (vital energy), jing (essence), and shen (spirit). Done regularly it activates the flow of the intrinsic life energy along the meridians (interconnected energy pathways), strengthens the internal organs, increases longevity through maintenance of health and vigor of body and mind, exercises the joints and muscles, promotes relaxation and stress management, prevents occupational physical stress diseases, promotes postural awareness, and provides the essence and base for many internal and external martial arts such as Tai Chi Chuan.

Tai Chi Chuan Berkeley teaches and practices “The 8 Brocade” (one of the oldest Chi Kung exercise systems) at the beginning of each class to warm up and calm mind, body and spirit before proceeding to forms practice. Other Chi Kung "flow & sensitivity" exercises and standing meditation are also part of the class schedule. This integration of Tai Chi and Chi Kung helps students experience the meditative aspects of Tai Chi Chuan very early in their practice.

Benefits of Chi Kung exercises

Stress and anxiety release
Improved hormonal balance in the body
Improved sleep quality
Lowered blood pressure levels
Greater range of motion in the body
Increase of positive thoughts and attitudes
Better posture
Increased health of the nervous system
Respiratory capacity expansion

Curriculum

Hand Forms
• 24 Form • 8 Form
• 16 Form • 40 Form
• 108 Form
Weapon Forms
• 32 Tai Chi Straight Sword
• Tai Chi Fan

Class Times

Mondays:
5:30pm – 6:30pm

Thursdays:
5:30pm – 6:30pm

Tuition

Single class: $13

Location

THE BEAT -

Eddie Brown Center
for the Arts
2560 9th Street, #119
Berkeley, CA 94710
Map Photos

Contact/Inquiries

Please contact Andreas Asmus at 510.849.0892 or asmusa@pacbell.net