Moving from the Inside Out: Understanding Motivation in Tai Chi & Qigong for Chronic Conditions

Title: Moving from the Inside Out: Understanding Motivation in Tai Chi & Qigong for Chronic Conditions

By Mark Peters

When supporting people with chronic medical conditions to begin or maintain an active lifestyle, one of the most important—yet often overlooked—factors is motivation. Not just whether someone is motivated, but why they are.

In the world of health behaviour change, we often distinguish between two types of motivation: extrinsic and intrinsic. Both can play a role in encouraging participation in activities like Tai Chi and Qigong, but the balance between them often determines long-term success, especially for those managing ongoing health challenges.

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Extrinsic Motivation: Starting from the Outside

Extrinsic motivation is driven by external rewards or pressures. For example:

• A doctor recommends more exercise.

• A physiotherapist sets a rehab goal.

• A family member signs someone up for a class.

• There's a certificate or prize at the end.

• Social approval or praise is at stake.

These motivations can be helpful to get someone started, especially when energy or confidence is low. A person might attend a Tai Chi or Qigong class because they’ve been told it will improve their balance, reduce blood pressure, or manage pain. They may not yet enjoy the practice—but they show up because of a clear, outside-driven benefit.

However, research and real-world experience show that extrinsic motivation tends to fade over time unless it becomes internalised. This is especially true for people with chronic conditions, who may have good days and bad days. If the only motivation is to "tick the box," attendance often declines when symptoms flare up, the novelty wears off, or external pressure is removed.

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Intrinsic Motivation: Moving from the Inside

In contrast, intrinsic motivation arises from internal rewards—when the activity itself becomes meaningful, enjoyable, or fulfilling. In Tai Chi and Qigong, this might look like:

• A sense of calm during or after practice.

• Feeling more in control of one’s body.

• Enjoying the flow of the movements.

• Noticing subtle improvements in sleep, posture, or mood.

• The quiet satisfaction of reconnecting with oneself.

This kind of motivation is sustainable, especially for those managing long-term conditions. When someone feels empowered by their own progress or comforted by the mindful rhythm of practice, they are more likely to continue, even in the absence of outside encouragement.

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Shifting the Balance

As instructors and health professionals, we can support people in making the shift from extrinsic to intrinsic motivation. Here’s how:

• Set meaningful goals together: Instead of just aiming for a target (e.g., 10,000 steps), ask what the person values. Is it playing with grandchildren? Feeling confident in the shower? Let practice connect with their life.

• Celebrate the process, not just the outcome: Encourage reflection on how people feel during and after sessions—not just what they’ve “achieved.”

• Use gentle language: Avoid making people feel they "should" do Tai Chi. Invite curiosity instead—what might this feel like today?

• Offer autonomy: Let people explore movements at their own pace, seated or standing, without correction. This builds ownership and confidence.

• Create a welcoming environment: A class culture that values presence over performance helps people relax, connect, and find joy in the practice.

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The Role of Tai Chi & Qigong in Healing Motivation

Tai Chi and Qigong are uniquely suited to supporting intrinsic motivation in people with chronic conditions. Unlike high-intensity fitness programmes that rely heavily on willpower and results, these practices encourage awareness, patience, and self-compassion. They invite people to meet their body where it is—not where they think it "should" be.

In time, what began as a recommendation from a doctor can become a treasured part of daily life. The motivation to move shifts from “I have to do this” to “I want to do this.” That’s the power of practice. That’s the shift from extrinsic to intrinsic. And it’s often the beginning of long-term transformation.

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Final Thought

Motivation isn’t static—it grows, changes, and deepens over time. As teachers and supporters, our role isn’t to force it, but to nurture the conditions in which it can take root.

Let’s help people reconnect to their bodies, to stillness, to movement—and, most importantly, to themselves.

If this sparks in interest you, please to contact Mark at https://www.midlandstaichirehab.co.uk