Yoga, Tai Chi, and Chi Qong are three disciplines centered around breathing, controlled movement, and channeling internal energy. Because of their meditative nature, they are wonderful stress-relieving outlets for people of any age and any fitness level.

Yoga is focused on breath and balance.  Yoga practice aims to promote strength through channeling internal energy, and to send the energy of clean breathing to places in the body that feel tense or stressed. There are hundreds of different types of yoga. Hatha and Iyangar, which focus on stretching and performing movements precisely are probably the best varieties for beginner. Bikram or “hot” yoga features a very warm room and can be more challenging.  In any class, expect to be able to modify things that are too difficult or intense. Any type of Yoga is probably more active than Tai Chi or Chi Qong.

Tai Chi is based on teachings from Chinese martial arts, and literally means “ultimate fist.” But don't let that intimidate you. Like Yoga, Tai Chi has several varieties. Modern, American Tai Chi, as offered by many gyms, senior centers, and community groups, usually focuses on slow, repetitive patterns of movement. Specific health effects are being studied, but many practitioners report that it promotes calm, strengthens joints, and increase overall healthfulness.

Chi Qong (sometimes spelled Chi Gong) is also a Chinese practice of health and mediation. It means "breath energy training" and is based on channeling internal energy and harmonizing the emotions to calm the mind. Of the three, Chi Qong is likely to be the least intense and most meditative. The purpose of Chi Qong is to activate and channel "chi" or energy, and circulate it within the body, removing “bad” chi, and sending “good” (active) chi to parts of the body that are static.

Any of  these three disciplines will get you moving in a gentle way, adaptable to your particular health circumstances and level of fitness, and will allow you to strengthen your body through attentive and deliberate breathing.