Lucy Gao, is a certified Yoga, Qigong, Tai Chi instructor. She has been teaching since 2003 at Sports Clubs, Wellness Centers, YMCAs, and Community Centers. She offers group classes and private session. Classes are in person and/or on zoom, all from a professional studio space. 

 

Yoga

Yoga is a group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines which originated in ancient India. Yoga is one of the six Āstika (orthodox) schools of Indian philosophical traditions. There is a broad variety of yoga schools。 The term "Yoga" in the Western world often denotes a modern form of hatha yoga and yoga as exercise, consisting largely of the postures or asanas.

Benefit of Yoga: 

Yoga improves strength, balance and flexibility.

Yoga helps with back pain relief.

Yoga can ease arthritis symptoms.

Yoga benefits heart health.

Yoga relaxes you, to help you sleep better.

Yoga can mean more energy and brighter moods.

Yoga helps you manage stress.

Yoga connects you with a supportive community.

Scientific Research on Yoga Benefits

The U.S. military, the National Institutes of Health and other large organizations are listening to — and incorporating — scientific validation of yoga’s value in health care.

Numerous studies show yoga’s benefits in arthritis, osteopenia, balance issues, oncology, women’s health, chronic pain and other specialties.

 

Qigong 气功

Can be described as a mind-body-spirit practice that improves one's mental and physical health by integrating posture, movement, breathing technique, self-massage, sound, and focused intent. There are likely thousands of qigong styles, schools, traditions, forms, and lineages, each with practical applications and different theories about Qi (“subtle breath” or “vital energy”) and Gong (“skill cultivated through steady practice”).

Benefits of Qigong

Qigong’s great appeal is that anyone can enrich their lives by adding qigong to their daily routine, regardless of ability, age, belief system, or life circumstances. Qigong exercises enable people to feel and perform better and have higher levels of energy and stamina.

People practice qigong to maintain health, heal their bodies, calm their minds, and reconnect with their spirit.

Qigong exercises properly practiced can:

• Improve physical strength and energy

• Help to relieve pain, illness, and physical problems

• Maintain and improve your state of physical fitness and mental well being

• Provide a feeling of calm, comfort, balance, and rejuvenation

• Aid in increasing longevity and overall good health

 

Tai Chi  太极

This gentle form of exercise can help maintain strength, flexibility, and balance, and could be the perfect activity for the rest of your life. Tai chi is often described as "meditation in motion," but it might well be called "medication in motion." There is growing evidence that this mind-body practice, which originated in China as a martial art, has value in treating or preventing many health problems. And you can get started even if you aren't in top shape or the best of health.

 

In this low-impact, slow-motion exercise, you go without pausing through a series of motions.  As you move, you breathe deeply and naturally, focusing your attention — as in some kinds of meditation — on your bodily sensations. Tai chi differs from other types of exercise in several respects. The movements are usually circular and never forced, the muscles are relaxed rather than tensed, the joints are not fully extended or bent, and connective tissues are not stretched. Tai chi can be easily adapted for anyone, from the most fit to people confined to wheelchairs or recovering from surgery.

 

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