Build Muscle Mass Naturally with Qi Gong
When we have a greater muscle mass, our bodies burn calories more efficiently even when resting.
Qi gong and tai chi allow you to build muscle naturally while increasing energy and the health of the internal organs.
How do qi gong and tai chi build muscle mass?
(1) Isometric Movements.
Qi gong and tai chi movements are isometric in nature. This means that qi gong and tai chi movements slowly contract muscles to increase tension, while length of the muscles remain constant.
Unlike working with free weights, isometric movements create flexible muscles.
Of course, the more flexible muscles are, the stronger they are, and the less prone to injury.
Also, researchers have discovered that isometric hand grip exercises lower resting blood pressure in individuals who are medicated for hypertension (Blood Pressure Monitor. 2007 Oct;12(5):307-14).
Many of the warm-ups for the Wu Tai Chi form involve these types of focused contractions of the hands.
A qi gong or tai chi teacher trained in teaching nuances of movements will teach students how to increase the isometric qualities of specific movements to optimize building muscle.
(2) Internal Strength.
Qi gong movements strengthen the organ of the spleen, said to rule the muscles in Chinese medicine.
From an internal organ perspective, qi gong and tai chi empower your body to develop muscles by influencing the energy of the spleen in a way that traditional western isometric or weight training cannot do.
(3) Stronger Core Muscles.
Many qi gong and tai chi movements improve balance by strengthening core muscles.
The beauty is that one does not have to learn complicated or difficult routines to increase muscle mass.
The simple movements of the 8 Pieces Brocade and Taoist Five can be performed with attention to toning the core strength and all major muscles of the body.
Call Aiki Healing today to schedule your private instruction with qi gong and learn how this natural form of movement can help you achieve beautifully toned and strong muscles. 512.468.6588
My practice is a mixture of Hatha Yoga, followed by Qi Gong. I started two years ago and practice four days a week. Previously, my only form of movement was a daily three mile walk in the park. I discovered that yoga compliments Qi Gong, that after a year I developed abdominal muscles and my balance improved dramatically. Best of all, any fat around the stomach disappeared. The most startling development is that I am no longer exhausted, and I feel as if my hormones are more balanced.
Posted by qigong musician on August 23rd, 2008 9:16 am
Wonderful. Thanks for sharing. It’s always great to hear when people experience great improvement in health from their practices.
Yes, Hatha Yoga, which I also trained for years, with its long stretches and core training is also powerful.
How it is different than Tai Chi or Qi Gong is that Chinese healing exercises not only train and build muscles but also balances the energy of specific organs in a very focused way.
Hatha yoga focuses more on the muscular skeletal system and breath work (although of course, all exercise has an internal impact) with less specific focus on particular organs.
Because qi gong and tai chi train the internal qi deeply, most people find that where they might have to take yoga several times a week to gain noticeable benefit, many people gain the same benefit from taking a deeply focused one hour tai chi or qi gong class per week.
Posted by kayhutch on August 23rd, 2008 5:37 pm