A veteran fitness instructor suggests that maintaining vitality in mid-life and beyond can be achieved with one simple, profound movement. This exercise, which the expert has practiced daily for 35 years, stems from their original Tai Chi training.
Known as the “Qi Machine,” this technique is designed to boost circulation and mobility. It begins with the feet shoulder-width apart and focuses on finding a “double bounce” in the knees.
The instructor differentiates this bounce from a fatiguing squat. A squat requires pressing up with muscle, whereas the “Qi Machine” involves dropping the weight and letting the body’s “rubber band-like” elasticity (fascia and ligaments) spring you back up.
This elastic action is key, as it uses stored “action potential” rather than raw muscle power, making the movement feel “nearly effortless” and sustainable for daily practice.
As the practitioner becomes comfortable, the arms are integrated. The movement grows into a full-body wave, engaging the ankles, knees, hips, and spine. This holistic exercise is said to circulate blood, balance the body’s energy, and harmonize the mind and body.
The expert recommends incorporating it into daily routines to maintain that essential connection between mind and movement. It serves as a gentle way to awaken the body, clear the head, and promote overall well-being.