Bio:
Lucy Gao, ERYT -500, is the Founder and Program Director of Yoga Taichi Studio, an international platform for transformational Qigong, Taichi, and Yoga education, wellness, and conscious community. As a master level teacher, Lucy has developed a teaching program that has empowered more than 50.000 students. Lucy's signature weekly classes are held in-person and on zoom--blend classical Daoist and Yoga philosophy and embodied movement with insights from Traditional Chinese Medicine and Artistic Education.
Over her 20+ years of Yoga, Taichi study and practice, Lucy has trained in the vinyasa lineage of Sri Krishnamacharya through Liz Lindh and other inspiring teachers. Lucy is trained in Chen style Taichi lineage which is the oldest and parent form of all primary Taichi style, developed by Chen Wangting in the 17th century. Lucy has been studying from two Chen style Hunyuan Taichi Masters, Master Wang Fengming and Master Zhang Qilong, who are the 19th and 20th generation Chen Style lineage holder as well as the 2nd and 3rd generation of Chen style Hunyuan Taichi, developed by Grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang (1928–2012). He blended traditional Chen Village Taijiquan (learned under Chen Fake) with Taoist neigong and Xinyiquan (learned under Hu Yaozhen),
An artist of Music and Dance, Lucy holds a Bachelor of Art in Classical Western Music for Opera and Piano Study and Dance. Her expertise spans a range of complementary health disciplines including kinesiology, breathwork, rhythmic movement, aesthetics and psychology.
Lucy has taught in New York City since 2003, and in CT since 2009 when she and her family have relocated from NYC to CT. Hundreds and Thousands of people have been impacted by the fine and unique teaching by Lucy. Her passion and dedication are presented and witnesses in each and every of her classes: in-person or zoom. her students are from all over the state as well as overseas.
As a sought-after instructor. Lucy is also a lifetime learner. Apart from her teaching, Lucy devotes large amount of time participating in teacher's training program both nationally and internationally. She is a dedicated disciple who is under strict training by her master on weekly basis. Her continuing education made classes fun and inspiring!
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 are 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”).
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:
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Improve physical strength and energy
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Help to relieve pain, illness, and physical problems
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Maintain and improve your state of physical fitness and mental well being
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Provide a feeling of calm, comfort, balance, and rejuvenation
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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.
Benefit of Qigong and Taichi
1. Qigong and Taichi initiates the “relaxation response” which is fostered when the mind is freed from its many distractions. This decreases the sympathetic function of the autonomic nervous system, which in turn reduces heart rate and blood pressure, dilates the blood capillaries, and optimizes the delivery of oxygen and nutrition to the tissues.
2. Qigong and Taichi alters the neurochemistry profile towards accelerated inner healing function. Neurotransmitters, also called information molecules, bond with receptor sites in the immune, nervous, digestive, endocrine, and other systems to excite or inhibit function to moderate pain, enhance organ capacity, reduce anxiety or depression, and neutralize addictive cravings.
3. Qigong and Taichi enhance the effectiveness of the immune system through increased rate and flow of the lymphatic fluid and activation of the immune cells. Resistance to disease and infection is accelerated by the elimination of toxic metabolic by-produces from the interstitial spaces in the tissues, organs, and the glands through the lymphatic system.
4. Qigong and Taichi increase the efficiency of cell metabolism and tissue regeneration through increasing circulation of oxygen and nutrient rich blood to the brain, organs, and tissues.
5. Qigong and Taichi coordinate and balance right/left brain hemisphere dominance promoting deeper sleep, reduce anxiety, and mental clarity.
6. Qigong and Taichi induce alpha and, in some cases, theta brain waves which reduce heart rate and blood pressure, facilitating relaxation and mental focus; this optimizes the body’s self-regulative mechanisms by decreasing the activity of the sympathetic nervous system.
7. Qigong and Taichi moderate the function of the hypothalamus, pituitary, and pineal glands as well as the cerebrospinal fluid system of the brain and spinal cord, which manage pain and mood as well as optimizing immune function."