"Recharge your batteries and regain your balance in no time!"

Interview with Tai Chi teacher and wellness trainer Barbara Reik about " Tai Chi for in between "

"According to an old Chinese saying, Tai Chi makes us as strong as a lumberjack, as supple as a child and as calm as a wise man. Especially when our job and everyday life place high demands on us, we find the exercises a wonderful way to switch off circling thoughts, find our center and gain new energy."

The Tai Chi teacher and wellness trainer Barbara Reik, author of the compact guide "Tai Chi for in between", has put together selected exercises from Tai Chi and Qi Gong as well as tried and tested techniques from Jin Shin Jyutsu ^® for soothing breaks in hectic everyday life and as a little help on the side.

In your previous books you have introduced the benefits of Tai Chi to children, seniors and expectant mothers. Who is the target group of your new guide?

Barbara Reik: Tai Chi for in-between times is primarily aimed at all people who are confronted with stress in everyday life and immense demands at work or in training. Of course, older people are also often under stress and can benefit just as much from the exercises. However, when creating the guide, I focused more on the needs of younger people.

What exactly do we mean by Tai Chi, Qi Gong and Jin Shin Jyutsu ^® ? Is there a common wealth of experience that is necessary for a deeper understanding?

Reik: Yes, there is actually a shared wealth of experience: knowledge of one's own energy. To start with, the information in the book and the willingness to feel the body are more than enough. The slow, harmonious movements of Tai Chi have their origins in the martial arts of ancient China. Today, however, this fighting aspect has taken a back seat and the health effects have come to the fore. Qi Gong is older than Tai Chi and is considered one of the pillars of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). These exercises have been practiced for centuries to maintain health, relax and nurture life. Qi Gong translates as "working with energy" or "nurturing energy." Jin Shin Jyutsu ^® adds Japanese health knowledge to the ancient Chinese knowledge of health: Jin Shin Jyutsu ^® , the Japanese healing flow, involves placing the hands on the so-called "energy gates" of the body. With this knowledge, everyone can harmonize their life energy and improve their health. In combination with Tai Chi and Qi Gong, this is an ideal way to regain harmony with yourself in a short time.

The exercises are not something you do “in passing” as they require attention, concentration and body awareness. What does “in between” mean in this context?

Reik: Tai Chi and Qi Gong are not things you can do as quickly as smoking a cigarette, eating a fast food meal or closing your eyes for a moment. It is not a “coffee to go” that you drink while you are walking somewhere and thinking about various problems at the same time. “In between” in this context means quite neutrally “between two time markers”, between two points in time, two appointments. And that is exactly where we find ourselves several times a day. Unfortunately, this is usually a very limited time, like the lunch break or just a short “breather”. In such a time period you can do something “on the side”, see above – or be completely in the moment. This is the goal – Tai Chi and Qi Gong are the way to get there.

What are the health effects and benefits of regular Tai Chi practice?

Reik: The slow, harmonious movements increase general well-being. They help with stress, improve breathing, posture, balance, coordination and the immune system. Tension, headaches, joint pain, nervousness and blood pressure problems are alleviated. This means that the practitioner becomes calmer and more efficient and can sleep better at night! An old Chinese saying goes: Those who practice Tai Chi regularly become as strong as a lumberjack, as supple as a child and as calm as a wise man.

What do you need to pay particular attention to as a beginner in Tai Chi and Qi Gong? What should you definitely do and what should you definitely avoid?

Reik: The nice thing about practicing Tai Chi and Qi Gong is that you can make yourself comfortable and you don't have to change your clothes. There is no dress code! You can (and should) get rid of all the clothing that restricts you: tight shoes, jackets, ties... Then find a place where you feel comfortable! Ideally outside or in a well-ventilated room. But if possible, don't practice facing your desk or workstation! You should also avoid blazing sun, wind and cold - but you probably rarely experience that at work anyway. You should also avoid the movement exercises if you are under extreme psychological stress; in this case, make do with the breathing techniques described. Finally, an important request: When practicing, be sure to follow the instructions in the book, i.e. the information on standing, posture, breathing and flow of movement. Otherwise, you are just doing gymnastics!

Why are the gentle and flowing exercises so good for bringing calm, serenity and well-being back into our hectic everyday lives? Can you do them right at your desk?

Reik: You don't need much space or any equipment for these exercises, so you could do them right at your desk - but as I just mentioned, I would recommend taking a short break and leaving your workplace. Because you are concentrating entirely on the exercise and its effect, your surroundings and your work soon fade from your consciousness. That's why Tai Chi is also called "meditation in motion". Concentrating on the movement and the imagination are particularly helpful for people who find it difficult to switch off because of a constant flow of thoughts. Here you can think - but specifically about something else. This means you let go, move healthily and without pressure to perform. Because the movements are carried out slowly and gently, you are hardly in danger of injuring yourself. And: the selected exercises are easy to learn!

There is often not enough time for relaxation exercises, especially in the office. Are the healing techniques of Jin Shin Jyutsu ^® a useful alternative? And how does this “laying on of hands” work?

Reik: The "laying on of hands" is very simple. You don't have to learn it first because you've known it since childhood: wherever it hurts, we place our hands on it to protect or warm it. In my guide, you'll also learn that there are energy gates through which you can do something good for your health by laying on hands. Of course, it's ideal if you can take the time to do it, but fortunately Jin Shin Jyutsu ^® also helps in addition to your daily routine, even in stressful situations.

Book tip:
Barbara Reik: Tai Chi for in between. Compact guide - new energy through simple exercises. Mankau Verlag, 1st edition January 2017, paperback, full color, 11.5 x 16.5 cm, 127 pages, 8.99 euros (D) / 9.20 euros (A), ISBN 978-3-86374-377-2.

Link recommendations:
More information about the guide "Tai Chi for in between"
To the reading sample in PDF format
More about Barbara Reik
To the Internet forum with Barbara Reik