Qigong Methods
Qigong classes, training and programs are offered as an adjunct to taiji training. Qigong is referered to as “The Art and Science of Chinese Energy Healing” Literally it means working with the energy of life and is a remarkable ‘mind body’ healing method used in Chinese Culture over thousands of years.
The focus being on self care and self awareness which help to maintain a balanced ‘qi’. Through breathing, movement, visualisation, meditation and relaxation exercises a gentle but vigourous program of qigong training enables the body to increase it’s flow of energy. Qigong helps to improve body awareness and alignment; aids recovery from illness or stress related daily pursuits and is an excellent method to strenghten the internal organs through the gentle stretching of the muscles, ligaments, sinews and tendons.
Healing the body and mind through qigong exercises is thousands of years old. Through healthy breathing (both natural and reversed), Dan Tien breathing, relaxation and sinking (Fang Song Gong), opening and closing of joints, meditation (including the Great Heavenly Circulation or Macrocosmic Orbit) qi is directed up and down through the body’s meridians to remove blockages).
Qigong is known to rid the mind of mental cobwebs and clear meridians. Alternate nostril breathing, Microcosmic meditation (Xiao Zhou Tian or the Small Heavenly Circulation) help the body, mind and spirit in a more balanced, centred calm and healthy disposition. Qigong exercises and methods of training assist in healing internal organs (lungs, liver, kidneys, heart, spleen and triple burner) and have been proven successful in curing cancers through visualising the light energy passing through the diseased organs.
Qigong is said to be an ‘inner alchemy’ where qi circulates through the opened joints to transform and heal tired, locked, or damaged joints and re-align the whole body.As one part of the body changes, so does the whole.
Advanced stages of qigong methods, both active and passive, involve leading the body by using the mind to direct qi. When both body and mind are relaxed, clarity and peace are experienced. Relaxation is achieved through the tensing and relaxing via the myriad of qigong exercises.
‘Heal Thyself,’ begins with reading a qigong book, finding a teacher whose practice resonates, or just practising some of the fantastic exercises from the various qigong schools and qigong methods that exist
These exercises help to regulate the functions of the spleen and stomach; help to establish peace and harmony within; and develop working efficient muscles, ligaments and tendons. They also aid chi circulation through the internal organs.Continuous smooth breathing during training helps to balance and restore the heart energy by ‘putting out the fire’ (the lungs are loosened and excessive chi from the heart is regulated). When the legs are strong the entire body is strong.
Whether from the Dao de Ding, I Ching, Sufi, Dao, Dhyan, Chen or Zen method of enquiry, meditation prompts stillness of mind or the no-mind state. Many methods are used to first energise the body in preparation for stillness, at oneness, the experience of wholeness and emptiness, and not-knowing. All techniques deriving from either a martial arts system, or a mystical approach such as the Kabbalah, the Upanishads, the Vedas, the Bible or the Koran, draw their inspiration from Eastern mysticism.
Later Western modalities such as Feldenkraus, Alexander and Bowen techniques and Rolfing, all seek to strengthen the bones, align the joints, stretch the muscles, sinews and tendons and so prepare the body for a deeply relaxed and meditative state. Taiji and qigong are methods of moving in meditation analogous to the Sufi dervishes’ method of twirling. Most martial arts styles also use breathing and meditation for enhancing physical skill and calming the mind in preparation for battle or death.
The aim is to strengthen internal organs, unblock energy meridians (pathways) and to facilitate the flow of vital fluids through the body, by relaxing, attention to posture, releasing, alignment, balance and co-ordination. The practice of specific exercises which lead to an accumulation of chi in the dantian (centre of the body approximately one and a quarter inches below the navel) which with practice can be directed to heal and solidify bones and nourish the internal organs.
Calm and relaxed breathing with movement, meditation and visualization all help to establish a strong constitution, physical, mental and emotional well being. Opening and closing of joints and gates allows energy to gather and for the body to heal. The practice of chi kung (qigong) can also lead to a practical understanding of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese history, and religious beliefs
Qigong is referred to as “The Art and Science of Chinese Energy Healing” Literally it means working with the energy of life and is a remarkable ‘mind body’ healing method used in Chinese Culture over thousands of years. The focus being on self-care and self-awareness which help to maintain a balanced ‘qi’. Through breathing, movement, visualisation, meditation and relaxation exercises a gentle but vigorous program of qigong training enables the body to increase it’ s flow of energy.
Qi or chi refinement the method and principles relating to the refinement of qi differ from person to person, with a variety of training exercises designed to suit personal life situations Qi is life energy which flows through all living things as well as nature. Gong is the work you put in. Dynamic qigong is exercise and is the most practiced method, passive qigong is tranquil and includes meditation, visualisation and precise breathing methods. Here the focus is on a clear and tranquil state of no-mind wih a deeper connection and harmony with nature. Qi training may include a wide range of exercises designed to boost or increase energy flow, regenerate, repair and rejuvenate bad, negative, lost or dissipated energy. Here the emphasis is on connection to the dao, to harmonise with nature and gain a clearer understanding of the universal qi. There are at least 7 major sources of qi:-breath qi (respiration); food qi (from your diet);original qi (inherited from parents); internal qi (emanates inside the body); external qi (qi emanating from outside the body); nutritive qi (flowing through the meridians); and protective qi (energy barrier against external pernicious influences and pathogens. Qi or chi energy circulation. Breathing, shaking, meditation, joint alignment, pressure, muscle changes, heat, light, love all contribute towards inner spiritual growth with an increase of energy resulting, a heightened sense of awareness with more focus on the here and now. Anger, resentment, fear, pain are alchemically transformed using the body-mind, mind-body, deep-mind, celestial, astral and etheric planes which govern most of who we are and who we think we are. These are three methods of building the body’s energy field: –
Through deep breathing methods b) By moving the mind through the body using a deep intention. c) By increasing the blood and lymphatic fluid circulation through the gentle pressure changes created by the the constant lifting and sinking of the body with it’s gentle movements. Qi / Chi movement Taiji is an advanced method of qi movement however there are also wudang and shaolin (north and south qigong) styles, some harder to practice than others. Different training exercises are implemented to allow for imparting the fastest and most efficient method in the shortest possible time, thereby allowing for each person’s own practice routine to guide and determine the result.
Inner listening is a vital aspect to the training. There are interesting methods designed to create a meditative and quiet approach to ‘mind’ and a control of one’s emotions – A state of ‘no mind’ or emptiness which allows deep internal processes to occur. Inner listening is a vital aspect to this method of training. While in “theory” practicing martial arts of whatever ‘style’ is meant to: – path the way to a heightened state of awareness – produce a calm approach to life, a philosophical and spiritual introspection – a reduction of ego related distractions – a way free of body/mind earthly appetites This is not always the case and many side affects may occur if incorrectly instructed- distress, (unbalanced emotions, ego, feeling of misguided power may result). Nothing is guaranteed without patience, persistence and constant practice of meditation, a pure heart and struggle with ego related distractions.
A state of remembering is important – what the sufis refer to as Zikr.
The effect of lifetime training especially where guided by an experienced teacher can open the doors of perception to an inner reality.
Listening to subtle body, muscle, pressure, joint and pain sensations, the student is guided constantly within to a point where mind stops and oneness with existence is deeply experienced.|
To experience stillness during activity is a heightened state of awareness which trains us to be still even in the most extreme situations.
The eight pieces of brocade’ exercises strengthen and develop the internal organs.
Qigong, which consists of gentle twisting of the internal organs helps to balance the body. These principles apply to Pa Kua also. Training in qigong is the continuous opening and closing of the joints, which allows energy to travel freely through the body where healing takes place.
Transitions
I include exercises from these different systems in my teaching of taiji as a means of introducing students to qigong and as a complementary bridge between the two arts.
Once introduced, students who wish to pursue qigong solely are encouraged to investigate other schools which teach it exclusively!