Newsletter #16

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Finding Calm in Uncertain Times: How Qigong and Taiji Help Relieve Stress

In today's uncertain economic climate, financial strain is becoming a major source of physical and emotional stress. Rising costs, shifting policies, and everyday pressures are taking a toll on many people's health. Chronic stress doesn't just affect mood—it can weaken the immune system, disrupt sleep, raise blood pressure, and contribute to serious conditions like heart disease or digestive disorders. But there are time-tested ways to restore balance, strengthen resilience, and protect long-term well-being.

Among the most accessible and effective tools are the traditional Chinese practices of qigong and taijiquan (tai chi). These gentle, meditative movement arts are part of the broader system of Yangsheng (养生)—nourishing life—offering low-cost ways to support physical, emotional, and mental health.

Unlike intense workouts or expensive treatments, qigong and taiji require no special equipment and can be practiced almost anywhere. Their slow, mindful movements regulate breathing, calm the nervous system, and improve circulation. Over time, they help cultivate Qi (vital energy), enhance clarity, and build emotional stability—qualities essential in times of challenge.

Studies have shown these practices can reduce anxiety and depression, improve sleep, and even lower cortisol levels, the body's primary stress hormone. While modern science is beginning to validate their effects, these arts have been quietly supporting human health for centuries.

In moments of crisis or daily tension, even a few minutes of gentle movement and quiet breathing can be enough to shift the body out of stress mode and into healing mode. And when practiced consistently, qigong and taiji become powerful lifelong allies—grounding the spirit, settling the mind, and strengthening the body from the inside out.

True health doesn't have to be expensive. Sometimes, it starts with a breath and a step.

Mountains are Mountains

We wanted to share this personal story from a friend of our journal. Note that "Zen" is the Japanese reading of the Chinese word "Chan" (禪), which refers to Chan Buddhism, a tradition rooted in meditation and direct experience.

"Before one practices Zen, mountains are mountains and waters are waters; after a first glimpse into the truth of Zen, mountains are no longer mountains and waters are no longer waters; after enlightenment, mountains are once again mountains and waters once again waters." ― Dōgen (1200 - 1253)

"My experience as a farmer deeply resonates with the journey described in Dōgen's quote. When I first started farming, after retiring from a stressful high-tech position in a large corporation, a mountain was just a mountain to me—something I saw in a literal, straightforward way. But as I spent countless hours caring for the fruit trees and working the land, I began to notice the myriad details that make up the mountain: the rocks, the trees, the wildlife, and the soil teeming with life. There seemed a lifetime of discovery in every square foot. This stage felt like the second phase of Zen, where the simple appearance of things gives way to an understanding of their deeper complexity and interconnectedness."

"As 20 years of farming went by and my understanding deepened, I started to see that despite all this complexity, the mountain was still just a mountain. I learned to appreciate it without feeling the need to dissect every part of it. This realization was like the final stage of the Zen journey, where one returns to seeing things simply, but with a profound understanding that wasn't there before."

"In the end, I found a deep peace in just being with the mountain as it is, embracing both its complexity and its simplicity. This felt like coming full circle, back to where I started, but with a richer, more enlightened perspective."

Qi Journal Updates:

We recently invited our newsletter list to test our online Acupoint Explorer and it received great comments, reviews, and several suggestions we implemented before releasing it to the public. So this month we invite you to try another major feature we will be releasing soon... our online simulation of a traditional Chinese Abacus (算盘 Suànpán). Read the story and then try out the simulation and tutorial available at the bottom.

We have also consolidated and simplified our online subscription ordering, making it easier to select the options we offer. Consider supporting us by subscribing to either print or digital issues of our journal at www.qi-journal.com/subscriptions.

The Summer 2025 issue of Qi Journal is being constructed and we are planning our article selections. We expect it to be printed and released by the end of May, well ahead of the summer solstice (June 20, 2025).

Did you know? Insight Publishing, the parent company of Qi Journal sponsors a growing family of free educational websites—including Qi-Encyclopedia.com and the new ChineseHealth.com—each designed to inform and inspire different audiences interested in traditional wisdom, health, and energy practices.

2025: Tai chi & Qigong Festival & Symposium

Tai chi & Qigong Festival & Symposium is in honor of Master Jou Tsung-Hwa and the Tai Chi Farm. This year's festival will be held at Mt. Lake Park in Warwick, NY from June 26 to June 30, 2025. Festival and Symposium. The festival will also be accessible as a hybrid (portions online available everywhere).

Included in the Festival, all day Friday, will be the Chang San-Feng Legacy Panels. This series of panels will allow students of several Great Grand Masters (Master Jou Tsung-Hwa of course, but also Cheng Man-ch'ing, B.P. Chan, Steve Higgins, and Effie Chow) to share the legacy of their teacher with a wider audience.

Saturday and Sunday will be filled to the brim with workshops from our wonderful workshop leaders: Marc Sabin, Ron Lambert, Mei Jin, Rich Marantz, John Loupos, Roger Jahnke, Paul Ramos, Bill Douglas, Ramsey Yunan, Mark Gallagher, Harry Legg, Dave Ritchie, Jill Basso, Rob Miller, David Vanadia, Eo Omwake, Violet Li, Jano Cohen, & Steve Watson

Some of these workshop leaders will also be hosting their own intensive workshops on Thursday, June 26, 2025 as a precursor to the main Festival.

More details can be found on the website https://taichifest.org/ . You can also email Festival@TaiChiFest.org or call 484-332-3331 for further information.

2025: World Tai Chi & Qigong Day

World Tai Chi & Qigong Day is held each year in over 80 nations on "the last Saturday of April" each year. April 26th, 2025 ... at 10 am local time all over the world. It begins with mass Tai Chi, Qigong, and Mind Body events in the earliest time zones of New Zealand, and then spreads at the world turns, 10 am local time worldwide, ending with final events in Hawaii (USA).

On the last Saturday of April each year an unprecedented and spectacularly moving global happening occurs in over 80 nations, in hundreds of cities worldwide. Tens of thousands of people come together across racial, ethnic, religious, and geopolitical boundaries . . . for the sole purpose of advancing personal and global health & healing.

Find more information at https://worldtaichiday.org/

Harmony at Home: Fengshui and Daily Well-being

In traditional Chinese thought, a balanced environment supports a balanced life. Fengshui (风水)—literally meaning "wind and water"—is an ancient art of arranging spaces to align with the natural flow of Qi (气), or life energy. At home, this means creating a setting that feels calm, nurturing, and vibrant.

Light plays a central role. Natural sunlight uplifts the spirit, encourages healthy sleep patterns, and keeps qi moving. Open your curtains during the day, and avoid blocking windows with heavy furniture. If sunlight is limited, use warm, layered lighting to create a similar effect. Harsh or flickering light can disturb emotional balance, so choose bulbs and fixtures that feel gentle and inviting.

Placement is another key idea. In fengshui, each item has an influence on the surrounding energy. Clutter, for instance, can trap Qi and contribute to mental stagnation. A tidy room with open pathways encourages flow, clarity, and relaxation. Position your bed or favorite chair where you can see the doorway—this fosters a sense of safety and control. Avoid placing furniture with sharp corners aimed directly at where you sit or sleep; these are considered Sha Qi (煞气), or cutting energy.

Flow is both physical and emotional. When qi moves easily through a space, we tend to feel more centered and refreshed. Use mirrors to reflect light and visually expand small rooms. Add elements like gentle plants or calming water features to soften a harsh atmosphere.

Fengshui isn't about superstition—it's about cultivating awareness of your surroundings. By making small, thoughtful adjustments, you can turn your home into a quiet ally in your daily health and emotional well-being.