About Us
Purpose
The Tai Chi and Qigong Wellness Center, serving residents of Tacoma and Pierce County, Washington, is dedicated to providing an environment that promotes health and well being through the practice of Tai Chi Chuan and complementary disciplines.
To that end, the Center offers a schedule of classes in Tai Chi Chuan that spans difficulty levels from beginning to advanced. In addition, the Center offers workshops on an occasional basis to complement the focus on Tai Chi Chuan: Qigong, Chinese traditional approaches to health and wellbeing, and other health practices.
“Nature does not hurry, yet all things are accomplished ”
— Lao Tzu
What is Tai Chi?
Tai Chi (pronounced Tie Chee) means “the Great/Supreme Ultimate,” and is symbolized by the Yin/Yang symbol
The Tai Chi symbol is meant to show the interplay between two opposing, yet complimentary forces, Yang and Yin. It is through this exchange of Yang and Yin that all change occurs. Tai Chi can be described as the interplay and movement of “All-That-Is,” or, even more simply as, “Life.” Yang is the expansive, light, warm aspect and Yin is the receptive, dark, and cold aspect, just to list a few. Each, however, holds the seed and key to the other within. As you can see in the Tai Chi symbol, within the Light is the Dark and within the Dark is the Light. Each are necessary polarities and realties of life. Always moving and interacting, Yang and Yin resides within all things and phenomena.
The practice of Tai Chi (aka “Taijiquan” or “Tai Chi Chuan”) is a centuries-old Chinese movement practice and exercise designed to help us understand and live with the ever changing tides of Yang and Yin. By doing this we find greater longevity, and well-being within our lives. It teaches you to connect mind and body, to slow down, and to relax under pressure rather than reflexively entering fight or flight. Tai Chi can look differently to each person who practices it and will benefit you in ways that may surprise you.
At its heart, Tai Chi, is a path to discovering yourself for who you are and is a tool to help you change into your most optimal, balanced, and healthy self. To practice Tai Chi is to align your mind, body, and spirit, with the great flow of the Supreme Ultimate and to allow that flow to nourish your Life.
What is Qigong?
Qigong is an ancient Chinese art used for healing and strengthening the body, mind, and spirit. Qigong combines movement, meditation, and breathing as a means of cultivating and enhancing the body’s natural internal energy (known in Chinese as Qi) while increasing awareness of its flow throughout the body. Millions of people practice Qigong in China and around the world each day to successfully treat diseases ranging from hypertension to cancer.
The word Qigong breaks down into two parts: “Qi” and “Gong.”
Qi (also spelled “chi”) is our “Iife force” or “vital energy.” It’s the fuel that powers not only living creatures, but the whole universe itself. Qi is simultaneously the most common or mundane of things, and also a mystic, and mysterious force that sometimes seems to have a mind all its own.
Gong literally means “work” or “dedicated practice.” Qigong then can translate simply into “energy work,” or “time dedicated to the cultivation of energy.”
Benefits of Tai Chi and Qigong?
When practiced correctly, Tai Chi can help you optimize and develop literally any aspect of your life. It means “Supreme Ultimate” because you can tap into your own Supreme Ultimate-ness and direct it into any avenue of your Life.
Here is a small list of the benefits you can expect with consistent practice:
Improves Posture, Flexibility, and Balance
Improved Muscle Conditioning
Develop Your Focus and Concentration
Cultivates a State of Centered Calm
Eases Pain and Stiffness
Improves Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Circulatory, Lymphatic, and Digestive Systems
Boosts, builds, and enboldens the Immune System
Builds Strength and Stamina
Visit Us
Located in the Merlino Arts Building:
508 Sixth Avenue #8
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 272 -4045