The 34 Exercises consist of selected "Tai Chi", "Qigong" and "Wandwork" postures that are easy to learn and follow. The routine was especially designed for group classes run by Herts Sports Partnership, Three Rivers District Council and schemes such as "Active 4 Life" exercise referral scheme in which GP surgeries, district nurses, physios and nutritionists refer patients with certain medical conditions to suitable activities.
The two important questions for any exercise program are, "Does it work" and "Is it safe?" The 34 Exercises pass with flying colours.
To maximise exercise benefits and minimise expenditure of time and energy.
Breathing, circulation, posture-opening range of movement, balance and coordination.
Developing fluidity of movement
Maintaining structural alignment
Sharp, jerky and fast movements; rotational joint movements and momentum-based movements (these are unsafe and / or inefficient)
Postures that rely heavily on philosophical concepts (for example, visualisation while waving hands around a bit)
Typical 'warm ups' for Tai Chi classes, which are usually more extreme and energetic than Tai Chi itself. You do not need to perform preliminary exercises in order to stretch, enhance flexibility & balance or 'tune-up' muscles, as the class itself is designed to do these things.
A therapeutic exercise developed in the early /mid 20th century from a training exercise of the martial art Tai Chi Chuan.
Ancient Chinese breathing exercises.
A Chinese therapeutic method of Qigong using a bamboo pole that aids circulation and posture.
To codify and provide transparency for the movements, philosophy and techniques used in the classes.
To aid the students memory.
To help students practice at home.
© 2018 Michael Davies