One Leg Balance Most people can stand on one leg, but the ability changes a lot with age — and that’s actually expected. The short answer: yes, everyone benefits from practicing one‑leg balance, but no, it’s not realistic to expect the same performance at every age. 🧠 Key takeaway Balance naturally declines with age, especially after 60, but being able to stand on one leg for some amount of time is considered a meaningful marker of lower-body strength, proprioception, and fa

Quiet Joy There’s a special kind of joy that comes from moving slowly. In a world that pushes us to hurry, multitask, and squeeze productivity out of every minute, tai chi invites us to do the opposite. It asks us to soften, to breathe, to feel our feet on the ground, and to let movement unfold like a quiet conversation between the body and the mind. Practicing tai chi isn’t just an exercise routine — it’s a way of living more peacefully, more intentionally, and more joyfully

Review these short videos about different breathing techniques. You may have concerns about COPD, digestive issues, anxiety, or maybe a desire to improve your tai chi/qi gong practice. There are a lot of claims and unreliable sources when it comes to any kind of exercise in the world of the internet, SO, as usual consult with your doctor. The posted videos are to the best of my knowledge from reliable sources. What style of breathing is best for the issue you want to addre

This performance at the World Cup 2026 is amazing. I highly recommend that you turn off the audio and skip through the opening commercials, both distractions to a wonderful demonstration of athletic ability (first video). The second and third video are short clips. - Peace

Time and time again this website asks (begs) you to consult with your doctor or medical professional before making medical/diet/exercise decisions. We also know that you just can't help yourself. You are going to use Google or AI or a chatbot and possibly be directed to questionable sources. This directory serves as a comprehensive reference across a broad spectrum of health conditions and specialties. Each listed organization is a recognized nonprofit entity dedicated to ad

Snake Creeps is one of the hardest moves for new and intermediate students. Here are three videos by three different masters/instructors to help people of various abilities learn the movement. Watch all three and decide what works best for your practice. Each video may open with an ad that you can skip through. Peace

What is an oath? FYI: This discussion is focused on the United States. The information was researched using AI. (I like to be honest even though I didn't take an oath!) Let's start with religion. Religious leaders do not take a single universal oath, but many do take some form of oath, vow, or pledge depending on their faith tradition, denomination, and role. Some traditions require very formal vows; others rely on informal commitments or ordination promises. ✝️ Christianity

I have a few issues with AI. It's threefold. First of all, the commercials streaming on social media are a new version of an old problem. This article from the New York Times details the AI produced supplement advertisements that we all see if we consume any media. The second issue came to light on the dashboard of this website. It shows me how the site has been "scraped" by a particular foreign country for their own AI. It shows me that it has been accessed by domestic AI.

Practice with Vivien Chao. These are beautiful videos and easy to follow. The movements are listed on the screen and the music is gentle and perfect for meditation in motion. Please rate this blog (and other blogs) to help us decide what is the best content for our audience. Thank you for sharing stars! Peace #taichi #8piecesofbrocades #vivienchao

The 250th Birthday of the United States (July 4, 2026) The United States turns 250 years old in 2026 — a milestone called the Semiquincentennial. It marks 250 years since the Declaration of Independence (1776) and is intended to be the largest national commemoration since the Bicentennial in 1976. 🎆 What the Anniversary Represents A moment to reflect on founding ideals — liberty, equality, self‑government A chance to acknowledge complex history, including contradictions and

Watch Jackie as she demonstrates Moving for Better balance at the YMCA. Turn up the volume to catch the music and hear the directions! Learn about Moving for Better Balance on the Balance Page. https://www.bcalmbzen.com/taichi/moving-for-better-balance This class or a version of it is offered at YMCA locations across the country for free. You don't need to be a member of the Y. If your Y doesn't offer this class, request it and they will bring in a specially trained instr

Here is a chart that is a conversation starter between you and your doctor or dietician. It's not our recommendations, it's a start for a meaningful conversation with a medical provider that knows you, your medical conditions or lack of conditions (including allergies), your amount of physical activity (or lack of) and your personal needs. It's not an all inclusive list, it's a conversation starter. "Doctor, talk to me about an anti-inflammatory diet. Does it matter? I came

Get started with your exercise of choice while sitting in a chair. The only equipment you need is a sturdy armless chair (no wheels) and a phone, tablet or laptop to watch and follow the videos. Once you become familiar with the routines, you won't need the videos, just some relaxing music. Peace #chairyoga #chairtaichi #chairgigong

Zen Garden 🧘‍♂️ Zen: the essence in one line Zen is the practice of seeing reality directly, without distortion, through meditation, presence, and insight into your own true nature. Everything else — temples, robes, koans (a riddle), rituals — is secondary to that core. 🌿 1. What Zen means The word Zen comes from the Chinese Chan, which comes from the Sanskrit dhyāna, meaning meditative absorption. So at its root, Zen is not a belief system — it is a mode of awareness. Zen

If you've heard terms in different practices but don't really know or understand what they mean, here is a short list... with short explanations. 🪷 Mind/Body, Energy, & Martial Arts 🔮 Chakra Stones Crystals aligned with the seven chakras. Used for grounding, clarity, and energetic balance. More... 🔮 Chakras Energy centers along the spine. Seven points from root to crown. Harmony of body, emotion, spirit. More... 🥋 Karate “Empty hand.” Japanese striking art. Discipline, pr

Walking meditation is mindfulness in motion — a practice where you bring full, non‑judgmental awareness to the experience of walking itself. Instead of walking on autopilot, you tune into your body, senses, and surroundings with each step. It’s a long‑standing practice in Buddhism, Taoism, and yoga, and modern clinicians use it today for grounding, stress reduction, and emotional regulation. health.clevelandclinic.org 🌿 What walking meditation is Walking meditation is the in

Meditation From the John Hopkins Mindfulness Program: a sample posted here from their guided meditation programs. More information, audio and video can be found here. Visit the Calm page on this site for links to the UCLA program and 8 audio selections with direct access (without commercial) for free. 2 1/2 minutes 1 of 3 videos 2 of 3 3 of 3 2 Minute Guided Meditation Peace #meditation #mindfulness #guidedmeditation #calm

Senior Group Tai Chi In case you missed it: If you or a loved one are 65+ or disabled (45+) did you know that the YMCA offers free Moving for Better Balance classes across the United States? You do not need to be a member of the Y to join this class. The entire class can be performed from a sitting position. with a chair for stability or standing without any assistance. "Moving For Better Balance is a 12-week evidence-based group exercise program developed by researchers at

This is an introduction to a simple qigong exercise for your morning routine.

Here is your memory‑friendly cheat sheet for the Yang Style 24 Short Form, written so you can recall the entire sequence at a glance. It’s compact, pattern‑based, and designed to stick in your mind without (too much) effort. Keep in mind that you cannot learn the moves or the principles from this cheat sheet. It just helps you to remember the order of the moves in this particular form. Other forms use the same moves plus more but in different or repeating order. ⭐ THE WHOLE F