A Transdisciplinary Exposition of Taiji Qigong: Individual Empowerment Through Applied Self-Theraputics: Eireniconic Enablements Towards Optimisation of Mental and Physical Well-being

Abstract

Self-Therapeutic Adjuvant Modalities (STAM), refers to actions taken by individuals for the benefit of their health and well-being. They are an accepted component of illness prevention, health maintenance, optimisation and or treatment of illness and injury. The potential benefits of applying STAM have not yet been fully realised by Australia's population. Consequently neither has the health infrastructure fully realised the economic benefits which accrue from the wide scale application of STAM, particularly the preventative aspect. Australia's health providers are increasingly stressing the benefits of STAM in their health promotion campaigns. However the fact that almost half the population of NSW is sedentary indicates that education on benefits of STAM as a modality for fostering physical activity still has further to permeate. Evidence strongly suggests that in conjunction with nutrition and hygiene, Moderate-Intensity Activity (MIA) and meditation are of major importance in the physical and mental well-being of people. The author found there is a need for a STAM programme which is suitable for the general population to address their needs for MIA and meditation. Taken into consideration in evaluating research for such a programme were the following parameters: • Efficacy from application for a variety of situations; • Efficiency of use; • Broad based applicability; • Specific relevancy for Australian health needs; and • Economy of implementation. Research and experiment lead the author to conclude that with only slight modification to suit Australian conditions a Traditional Chinese Medical (TCM) programme of Medical and Health Care Qigong (Qubing Yangsheng Gong, QYG) as researched by the Shanghai Institute of Hypertension appeared most suitable for use in Australia. An appropriate term for this programme in Australia was concluded to be Taiji Qigong (TQ). This thesis presents a manual of a program suitable for use by Australians of all ages and levels of fitness.