Ai Chi - Balance Harmony and Healing

This is a second book on Ai Chi. Ai Chi is a water exercise and relaxation program that has been created to help aquatic practitioners and students decrease stress and increase energy by using the water in a flowing yet powerful progression. This comprehensive, in-depth book takes experienced practitioners to a new level of Ai Chi practice, yet will be useful to the novice as well. Aquatic exercise instructors, personal trainers, and aquatic therapy and rehabilitation practitioners will find the Ai Chi workout versatile. For aquatic exercise instructors it is an efficient exercise program that increases oxygen and caloric consumption simply with correct form and positioning in the water. Personal trainers will find it a perfect relaxation technique for their highly stressed, over-challenged clients. Aquatic therapy and rehabilitation practitioners will see improved range of motion and mobility in their patients.

Ai Chi, created by combining Tai-Chi concepts with Shiatsu and Watsu techniques, is performed standing in shoulder depth water using a combination of deep breathing and slow, broad movements of the arms, legs, and torso.

The book compares the traditional Ai Chi program for an average healthy adult with modifications for special populations. Ai Chi Ne (partner stretching) and Cultivating the Chi (advanced Ai Chi positions) are defined and illustrated.

New offerings in this book include Ai Chi Ne (partner stretching), Ai Chi in-depth, Cultivating the Chi (new Ai Chi positions), practical teaching information, pool teaching scripts for a varied learning focus, Ai Chi for special populations, the autonomic nervous system, the para-sympathetic and sympathetic systems, breathing techniques and benefits, and physical positioning.

The program and progression was created by Jun Konno, president of Aqua Dynamics, Inc., Yokohama, JAPAN. Mr. Konno, a Japanese authority on aquatic fitness and swimming, is president and founder of Aqua Dynamics Institute, a consulting firm for fitness clubs and swimming schools in Japan. He graduated from the Economics Department of Tohoku Gakuin University, coached the Philippine Swimming Federation's National Junior Team, and taught in the Physical Education Department of University of the Philippine. He received the Distinguished Service Medal from the Philippine Olympic Committee in 1973. Konno served as the youngest ever director of the Japan Swimming Clubs Association, became one of Japan's foremost swimming coaches and coached Japan's Olympic swimming team. He is an advisor of the Aquatic Exercise Association and offers the AEA certification in Japan. Konno serves as a consultant and lecturer. Interviews with him appear regularly in magazines, newspapers, and on television. He has many published writings including the Japanese translation of Ruth Sova's Aqua-fit, and Swimming Concepts, which is virtually required reading for all Japanese swimming coaches.

The history, guidelines, research and descriptions were written by Ruth Sova, founder of AEA and president of the Aquatic Therapy and Rehab Institute. Ruth Sova, M.S., an internationally known speaker, author and consultant, is founder of six businesses including the Aquatic Therapy and Rehab Institute, the Aquatic Exercise Association, Living Right Magazine, ACT, Armchair Aerobics Inc., and the Fitness Firm. She is on the Wisconsin Governor's Council on Physical Fitness, received the Governor's Entrepreneurial Award, was the recipient of the IDEA Outstanding Business Award, worked on the ACE certification committee, was awarded the first Presidential Sports Award in aquatic exercise, and received AEA's 1994 Contribution to the Industry Award. She is the author of numerous articles and ten books on her specialties of wellness, aquatics, and business.

The blending of international authors and concepts makes Ai Chi - Balance, Harmony and Healing an unusual, elite book. It begins with an introduction to Ai Chi and the mind/body concept, and then moves to benefits involving the neurological, cardiorespiratory, metabolic, musculoskeletal, endocrine, and cognitive systems. Ai Chi modifications for over twenty different special populations is next. The physical techniques of Ai Chi are covered in Chapter Three and include positioning, balance, pelvic mechanics and movement technique. Chapter Four, deals with the psyche or mind and covers the concepts of relaxation, breathing, meditation and unity. The physical descriptions, illustrations and progression of Ai Chi, Ai Chi Ne and Cultivating the Chi are included to assist instruction. Ai Chi - Balance, Harmony, and Healing has a special focus on instructional techniques which include presentation ideas, music, cueing, and scripts to use while teaching.