Tai Chi Jeung and Chi Kung with Rob Reider

Tai Chi is a meditation in motion. Circulating the life force energy in a relaxed and significant way is a key to great health. Students of all ages find this style relaxing, easy to learn, and deeply rewarding. Rob has studied with Master Ly for years, and brings a fresh outlook to this ancient style. The experience of hundreds of years has shown that practicing Tai Chi and Chi Kung can improve ones health, reduce tension, and impact a number of diseases such as, but not limited to, high blood pressure, arthritis, asthma, stomach ailments, heart problems and anxiety. This gentle exercise proves to be effective in supporting longevity, disease prevention, and rejuvenation. Students feel grounded, refreshed, and more aware from this safe practice.

Join Rob for Tai Chi at 1546 Mt. Mercy NW every Mon. night @ 6:30 PM Starts
Drop-Ins are welcome!

Call 616-299-3371 for more information.


A person practicing tai chi moves her body in a slow, relaxed, and graceful series of movements. One can practice on one's own or in a group. The movements make up what are called forms (or routines). Some movements are named for animals or birds, such as "White Crane Spreads Its Wings." The simplest style of tai chi uses 13 movements; more complex styles can have dozens.

In tai chi, each movement flows into the next. The entire body is always in motion, with the movements performed gently and at uniform speed. It is considered important to keep the body upright, especially the upper body-many tai chi practitioners use the image of a string that goes from the top of the head into the heavens-and to let the body's weight sink to the soles of the feet.

In addition to movement, two other important elements in tai chi are breathing and meditation. In tai chi practice, it is considered important to concentrate; put aside distracting thoughts; and breathe in a deep, relaxed, and focused manner. Practitioners believe that this breathing and meditation have many benefits, such as:

• Massaging the internal organs.
• Aiding the exchange of gases in the lungs.
• Helping the digestive system work better.
• Increasing calmness and awareness.
• Improving balance.

Other Key Beliefs in Tai Chi

Certain concepts from Chinese philosophy were important in tai chi's development (although not every person who practices tai chi for health purposes, especially in the West, learns or uses them). A few are as follows:

• A vital energy called qi underlies all living things.
• Chi flows in people through specific channels called meridians.
• Chi is important in health and disease.
• Tai chi is a practice that supports, unblocks, and redirects the flow of chi.

Another concept in tai chi is that the forces of yin and yang should be in balance. In Chinese philosophy, yin and yang are two principles or elements that make up the universe and everything in it and that also oppose each other. Yin is believed to have the qualities of water--such as coolness, darkness, stillness, and inward and downward directions--and to be feminine in character. Yang is believed to have the qualities of fire--such as heat, light, action, and upward and outward movement--and to be masculine. In this belief system, people's yin and yang need to be in balance in order for them to be healthy, and tai chi is a practice that supports this balance. People practice tai chi for various health purposes, such as:

For benefits from exercise:

• Tai chi is a low-impact form of exercise.
• It is a weight-bearing exercise that can have certain health benefits--for example, to the bones.
• It is an aerobic exercise.

• To improve physical condition, muscle strength, coordination, and flexibility.
• To have better balance and a lower risk for falls, especially in elderly people.
• To ease pain and stiffness--for example, from arthritis.
• For health benefits that may be experienced from meditation.
• To improve sleep.
• For overall wellness.




Copyright © 2007-2010 Living Healthy Now LLC. All rights reserved.