Ai Chi is a water-based total body strengthening and relaxation progression that bridges East and West philosophies, and integrates mental, physical, and spiritual energy. It combines Tai-Chi concepts with Shiatsu and Watsu techniques, and is performed standing in shoulder-depth water using a combination of deep breathing and slow, broad movements of the arms, legs, and torso. The Ai Chi progression moves from simple breathing, to the incorporation of upper-extremity, trunk, lower-extremity, and finally total body involvement.

Ai Chi was created to help aquatic practitioners (including aquatic exercise instructors, personal trainers, and aquatic therapy and rehabilitation practitioners) and students enjoy the water in a flowing yet powerful progression. It is an efficient exercise program that increases oxygen and caloric consumption through correct form and positioning in the water, a perfect relaxation technique for highly stressed, over-challenged clients, and is ideal for creating improved range of motion

Potential Benefits of Ai Chi

1. Improved flexibility, range of motion, and general mobility

2. Improved metabolism and caloric consumption

3. Better blood circulation

4. Re-vitalized energy circulation along important accupoint meridians

5. Renewal of vital organs

6. Improved liver efficiency

7. Decreased stress, insomnia, depression, anger, fatigue, anxiety, and confusion: the water and music can help to free the body of stress and to encourage a state of relaxed awareness

8. Increased mental alertness

9. Creates "design sense" (a feeling that you’re doing what the body was designed to do) and therefore, improves kinesthetic sense (our perception of how we move)