Ai Chi is a form of aquatic exercise used for recreation, relaxation, fitness, and physical rehabilitation. Clinical Ai Chi is distinguished as a specialized, active form of aquatic therapy. In essence, Ai Chi uses breathing techniques and progressive resistance training in water to relax and strengthen the body, based on elements of qigong and tai chi.
Overviewedit
Ai Chi is a total body relaxation and strengthening progression used for aquatic therapy.[1] This aquatic technique is characterized by slow movement coordinated with deep breathing, based on elements of qigong and tai chi.[2][3]
Ai Chi was developed in 1993 by Jun Konno (Aquadynamics Institute, Yokohama, Japan) as an exercise to prepare for Watsu. The term Clinical Ai Chi distinguishes a more specialized form used for specific therapeutic applications.[4][2]
Techniqueedit
Typically, Ai Chi is practiced standing in shoulder-depth water in group classes, one-on-one therapy sessions, or individually. Initially, Ai Chi focuses on deep breathing patterns. Simple breathing techniques are then combined with gentle movement in a progression from the upper extremities, trunk, lower extremities, and finally to involvement of the full torso, with a gradual narrowing of the base of support. Movement is slow and continuous, with attention to body alignment, and accompanied by deep diaphragmatic breathing and a calm meditative state of mind. Mental focus is on flowing movement, proper body alignment, and coordinated breathing, and can also involve attention to philosophical or aesthetic concepts.[1][2][3]
Ai Chi consists of 19 movements or katas, performed while breathing at a rate of about 14-16 breaths per minute. The first six arm movements are based on qigong, with a relatively static and symmetrical body posture. The subsequent movements are based on tai chi, with continuous shifting of the center of gravity. The progression moves through a series of "regulatory conditions" of increasing difficulty, from static to dynamic, symmetrical to rotatory and asymmetrical movement, and visual to non-visual (vestibular) control.[2]
Referencesedit
^ abDutton, M. 2011. Orthopaedics for the physical therapist assistant. Jones & Bartlett Learning. p 187, Ai Chi. ISBN978-0763797553.
^ abcdBommer A and Lambeck JF. 2011. Ai Chi: applications in clinical practice. pp 171-191, Chapter 7 In: Becker, BE and Cole, AJ (eds). Comprehensive aquatic therapy, 3rd edition. Washington State University Press. ISBN978-0615365671.
^ abSova R. 2009. Ai Chi. pp 101-116. In: Brody, LT and Geigle, PR (eds). Aquatic exercise for rehabilitation and training. Human Kinetics. ISBN978-0736071307.
^Use of the term Clinical Ai Chi has been granted by Jun Konno to the International Aquatic Therapy Foundation (IATF), Switzerland.
January 01, 1970
form, aquatic, exercise, used, recreation, relaxation, fitness, physical, rehabilitation, clinical, distinguished, specialized, active, form, aquatic, therapy, essence, uses, breathing, techniques, progressive, resistance, training, water, relax, strengthen, b. Ai Chi is a form of aquatic exercise used for recreation relaxation fitness and physical rehabilitation Clinical Ai Chi is distinguished as a specialized active form of aquatic therapy In essence Ai Chi uses breathing techniques and progressive resistance training in water to relax and strengthen the body based on elements of qigong and tai chi Overview editAi Chi is a total body relaxation and strengthening progression used for aquatic therapy 1 This aquatic technique is characterized by slow movement coordinated with deep breathing based on elements of qigong and tai chi 2 3 Ai Chi was developed in 1993 by Jun Konno Aquadynamics Institute Yokohama Japan as an exercise to prepare for Watsu The term Clinical Ai Chi distinguishes a more specialized form used for specific therapeutic applications 4 2 Technique editTypically Ai Chi is practiced standing in shoulder depth water in group classes one on one therapy sessions or individually Initially Ai Chi focuses on deep breathing patterns Simple breathing techniques are then combined with gentle movement in a progression from the upper extremities trunk lower extremities and finally to involvement of the full torso with a gradual narrowing of the base of support Movement is slow and continuous with attention to body alignment and accompanied by deep diaphragmatic breathing and a calm meditative state of mind Mental focus is on flowing movement proper body alignment and coordinated breathing and can also involve attention to philosophical or aesthetic concepts 1 2 3 Ai Chi consists of 19 movements or katas performed while breathing at a rate of about 14 16 breaths per minute The first six arm movements are based on qigong with a relatively static and symmetrical body posture The subsequent movements are based on tai chi with continuous shifting of the center of gravity The progression moves through a series of regulatory conditions of increasing difficulty from static to dynamic symmetrical to rotatory and asymmetrical movement and visual to non visual vestibular control 2 References edit a b Dutton M 2011 Orthopaedics for the physical therapist assistant Jones amp Bartlett Learning p 187 Ai Chi ISBN 978 0763797553 a b c d Bommer A and Lambeck JF 2011 Ai Chi applications in clinical practice pp 171 191 Chapter 7 In Becker BE and Cole AJ eds Comprehensive aquatic therapy 3rd edition Washington State University Press ISBN 978 0615365671 a b Sova R 2009 Ai Chi pp 101 116 In Brody LT and Geigle PR eds Aquatic exercise for rehabilitation and training Human Kinetics ISBN 978 0736071307 Use of the term Clinical Ai Chi has been granted by Jun Konno to the International Aquatic Therapy Foundation IATF Switzerland Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ai Chi amp oldid 1179695131, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
