Well-being in China: health and the art of living well
Benefits for the body and the spirit
Ever since I started watching the Chinese in the parks during their daily Tai Chi sessions, I have understood the benefits you can get from this technique, as well as the other secrets of Chinese medicine, such as massage or Qi Gong.
Its first objective is to make breathing easier and reinvigorate the body, afterwards you feel really alive and happier. Your body and your spirit feel soothed. It's not for nothing that these rituals have been an integral part of Chinese life for more than 3,000 years.
Relaxing massages
Massage is my favorite way of getting myself together. The slow controlled movements, the series of gentle strokes, and the stretching and kneading - our whole body benefits from the feeling of well-being that you get from a massage.
It's a simple remedy that I find immensely pleasing because it deeply relaxes every cell in my body. On the inside it brings a feeling of relief, our energy comes back, we feel calm and peaceful. Its something everyone in the West should do to reduce stress, relax, "make a break" with everyday life, and have a bit of "me time", because we tend to forget about ourselves.
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Exercise to tone you up: Qi Gong, Tai Chi, Kung Fu
The Chinese have asked questions about the details of our anatomical, physiological, and psychological fitness. They have tried to understand all the things that can cause problems for an organism, the organs (called Wu Zang), the bowels (Liu Fu) and the energies. This medical and philosophical research resulted in the creation of martial arts which have become ways of living here!
I tried Qi Gong and Tai Chi for several years. To my mind the result was amazing because they developed a positive body image, fostered better nervous stability, and reinforced my self-confidence. I noticed that these methods worked on the way my whole being functioned. I particularly noted that, thanks to these exercises with their mixture of breathing and movement, I could manage my emotions better, felt more balanced and a lot more energetic. Complete happiness!
