Below are descriptions of Tai Chi, Qigong, and Ba Gua Zhang. These arts are related, but they have important differences. Tai Chi and Ba Gua are among the "internal martial arts" of China. They can be practiced for self defense, exercise, energy cultivation, and/or meditation. Ba Gua is the more vigorous of the two. Qigong exercises are particularly suited for promoting your health or relieving your stress. Qigong exercises also make a wonderful entry point into these arts, since the choreography can be acquired quickly. Tai Chi, Qigong, and Ba Gua are all done standing; no floor work is involved.

Tai Chi is China's gift to the world. Millions practice it because it's fun, easy, and extremely good for your health. It is characterized by a slow, smooth flow from one posture to the next. Tai Chi appears to have little value in terms of health. However, appearances are not always what they seem. As you sink your weight into the floor your legs strengthen, and your balance improves. You move your body deliberately, integrating all parts into a unified whole. Your body softens and opens in a relaxed manner. Your tension and stress are released from your body and from your mind. The result is a level of health and well being that includes: high levels of energy, enhanced clarity and concentration, a strong, supple body, and a profound happiness that comes with balanced emotions and mitigation of stress.

Qigong: Chi Kung exercises are similar to Tai Chi, although they are less well known. Chi Kung exercises are easier to learn than Tai Chi and provide the same benefits as Tai Chi in terms of balance, flexibility, health, and overall well-being. Chi Kung can also dramatically improve your performance in other sports. The exercises gently open and connect your body as they increase your strength and health. Although they are practiced at a slow speed, they greatly improve one's ability to move quickly with smooth power, balance, and relaxed control. Most importantly, they help unravel old injuries and avoid new injuries which plague sports enthusiasts.

Ba Gua Zhang: Although Ba Gua Zhang (Eight Trigram Palm) is not well known in the U.S., it is one of the most profound and most effective of the internal martial arts of China. It is also an exercise regimen that is second to none in health and pure unadulterated fun. Ba Gua has all of the internal components of Tai Chi and Chi Kung, but it is more vigorous than these other arts. Nevertheless, Ba Gua can be done with no prior experience. Ba Gua is practiced walking in a circle at a slow to moderate walk with smooth transitions from one posture to another. You sink your weight into your legs as you walk and your body coils toward the center of the circle. The coiling of your body is one of the hallmarks of this art, and its one of the reasons the Ba Gua practitioners get very healthy, flexible, and strong.