Qigong or chi kung

The term qi-gong (pronounced «chee kung’) is formed by two Chinese characters: «qi» (energy) plus «gong» (work or practice). Its closest translation is «energy cultivation» requiring the integration of mind and body.

It is based on the concept of Chinese qi physiology; the ancient Chinese believed qi was the most fundamental entity making up the world, and everything in the universe resulted from the movement and change of qi. By tracking and building up our own qi, a practitioner of qi-gong can activately realign all levels, move together or create new internal environments in the body.

Moreover, this kind of self-practice exercise helps to attain a higher level of intellectual and spiritual states of mind. Qigong is the Chinese philosophy and practice of aligning breath, physical activity and awareness for mental, spiritual and body health.

• History
• Theory
• Practice
• Dynamic, Static and Meditative qigong
• Applications
• Health, Self-cultivation, Martial arts

Based on www.wikipedia.org

 

Meditation

Taoism includes a number of meditative and contemplative traditions (described in the I Ching, Tao Te Ching, Chuang Tzu and Tao Tsang among other texts). The multitude of schools relating to Qigong, Neigong, Internal alchemy, Daoyin and Zhan zhuang is a large, diverse array of breath-training practices in aid of meditation. Taiji Quan is often referred to as “meditation in motion”.

• Neigong: also spelled Nei Kung, neigung, or nae gong, is any of a set of Chinese breathing, meditation and spiritual practice disciplines associated with Daoism and especially the Chinese martial arts. Neigong practice is normally associated with the so called «soft style», «internal» or nèijiā 內家 (www.wikipedia.org )
• Neidan: also known as internal alchemy or spiritual alchemy (內丹術 – nèi dān shù Traditional Chinese, 內丹术 – Simplified Chinese) is a concept in Taoist Chinese alchemy. It is a series of physical, mental, and spiritual disciplines intended to prolong the life of the body and create an immortal spiritual body that would survive after death.

(www.wikipedia.org )

• Daoyin: “guiding and pulling” typically represented by the Eight Length of Brocade and the Five Animal Plays, and other types of moving or dynamic Qi Gong. In practice, the entire body moves from one posture to another, or a posture is held while the four limbs move through various positions in correlation with certain breathing methods, and special meditative techniques, designed to dispatch negative energies and enhance positive energies. (Qigong Fever. David A. Palmer)
• Zhan zhuang: (Chinese: 站桩, lit. «standing like a post» , sometimes called «standing like a tree», «post standing» or «pile standing») is a method of training in many Chinese martial arts in which static postures are used for physical training, to develop efficiency of movement, perfection of structural alignment; and hence maximal strength, for martial applications. It is most often practiced among the internal Chinese styles such as tai chi chuan. Possibly the most well-known example of zhan zhuang training is the «horse stance» or ma bu 馬步. (www.wikipedia.org )

The Thirteen Postures of taiji quan

The Thirteeen Postures (8 Gates and 5 Steps) are referred to in various ways by taiji quan authors. Some call them the «Thirteen Powers = Shi San Shi.» Others call them the Thirteen Postures, the Thirteen Entrances, the Thirteen Movements, or the Thirteen Energies.

The most frequent references to the 13 Postures are in the writings and teaching in the Yang Style of taiji quan. Taiji quan identifies eight key hand positions and five leg positions, commonly refer to them as the Thirteen Postures (8 + 5 = 13).

The hand movements are commonly tied to the eight trigrams of the I-Ching, and the foot movements to the Chinese five elemental processes. The three symbols for Taiji quan: the Taiji symbol (commonly referred to as the Yin and Yang), Bagua (Eight trigrams) and the five element cycle (pictured below) are also key symbols in Chinese cosmology, medicine, philosophy, and culture.

 

The Eight Hand Positions ( I-ching )

 

• Peng- ward off-intercept and control opponent’s advance upward
• Lu- rollback- deflect opponent down and back
• Ji- follow-apply force forward
• An- press weight into opponent, downward
• Cai- pluck grasping and twisting opponent’s limbs with force
• Lieh- split- applying force in two different directions
• Zhou-elbow striking
• Kao- striking with shoulder, hip or knee

 

The Five Leg Positions (five elements)

 

• Jin- Advance (bow & arrow stance)
• Tui- Withdraw (six-four stance)
• Ku- Look Left
• Pan- Look Right
• Chung Ting- Central Equilibrium (horse-riding stance)

Based on www.wikipedia.org

Wu Xing

The system of five phases or five element theory is used for describing interactions and relationships between phenomena. It was employed as a device in many fields of early Chinese thought, including geomancy or Feng shui, astrology, traditional Chinese medicine, music, military strategy and martial arts.

There are two cycles to note. The first is the constructive cycle, or sheng cycle, where metal creates water creates wood creates fire creates earth. The second cycle is the destructive or ko cycle, where metal chops wood, wood separates the earth, earth damns or absorbs water, water puts out fire, and fire melts metal.

As it is in TMC, so it is in taiji Quan. If some one attacks you with a metal you would retaliate with what destroys metal, fire, and you would over come your opponent. Understanding this principle is key to understanding how to fight using taiji Quan.

• Cycles
• Generating
• Overcoming
• Cosmology and feng shui: Ba gua
• Chinese medicine
• Music
• Martial arts

Based on www.wikipedia.org

Traditional chinese medicine

 

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which encompasses many different practices, is rooted in the ancient philosophy of Taoism and dates back more than 5,000 years. Today, TCM is practiced side by side with Western medicine in many of China’s hospitals and clinics.

It refers to a broad range of medicine practices sharing common theoretical concepts which have been developed in China and include various forms of herbal medicine, acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, massage therapy, and dietary therapy. These practices are considered alternative medicine in the western world.

The traditional chinese medicine view of how the human body works, what causes illness, and how to treat illness is different from Western medicine concepts. Although TCM is used by the American public, scientific evidence of its effectiveness is, for the most part, limited. Acupuncture has the largest body of evidence and is considered safe if practiced correctly.

 

 

• History
• Philosophical background
• Yin and yang, Five Phases theory
• TCM model of the body
• Qi, Xue (blood), Jinye (bodily fluids), The zang-fu, Meridians
• Concept of disease
• Patterns, The Six Excesses
• Medicines
• Acupuncture, moxibustion, and related therapies
• Physical exercises

Article based on www.wikipedia.org

Taoism

 

A principal philosophy and system of religion of China based on the teachings of Lao-tzu in the sixth century b.c. and on subsequent revelations. It advocates preserving and restoring the Tao in the body and the cosmos. (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Taoism )

 

It refers to a philosophical, quasi-scientific and religious tradition which is often translated as «path» or «way», but with a myriad of nuances in mythology and Chinese philosophy.

 

The key concepts of Taoism are: Wu Wei- action-less action, Te the flowing power, living simply, Ch’i or Tao, cosmic energy, and finally, Feng Shui or pu, winds and waters (Sprunger).

• Beliefs and principles
  • Tao, De (Te), Wu wei, Pu
• Spirituality
• Ethics
• Tao Te Ching
• Zhuangzi, Daozang and other texts
• Practice

References:

Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taoism

Das Tao Te King von Lao Tse http://home.pages.at/onkellotus/TTK/_IndexTTK.html

BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b00wlgbg/In_Our_Time_Daoism

I ching

The I Ching is an oracle; a divination device that forms a pattern reflecting the forces at work in the Universe at a particular point in time.

The symbol of the I Ching is the bagua, its symbol for thousands of years. This pattern, when viewed in the context of a concern or question, sends a message of timeless advice and insight.

Richard Wilhelm explained it this way in a footnote to his translation of Ta Chaun – The Great Treatise: «The way in which the Book of Changes works can best be compared to an electrical circuit reaching into all situations. The circuit only affords the potentiality of lighting: it does not give light. But when contact with a definite situation is established, the ‘current’ is activated, and the given situation is illumined.»

Also known as the Book of Changes, Classic of Changes, and Zhouyi, is one of the oldest of the Chinese classic texts.

Any student of taiji should learn:

• Traditional and modernist view
• Yijing hexagram symbols
• Philosophy
• Symbolism
• Influence

This text if adapted from www.wikipedia.org

How to teach Taiji Quan to western people

 

This is the presentation I gave at the 6th International Taijiquan Exchange Competition of Jiaozuo in China in 2011. It won a third prize 🙂

how to teach taijiquan

Keywords: taiji quan, learning method, teaching, wushu, I Ching, Yijing hexagram symbols, taoism, daoism, Tao Te Ching, Traditional chinese medicine, TCM, Yin and yang, Five Phases theory, Meridians, Acupuncture, moxibustion, Physical exercises, Wu Xing, Qigong or chi kung, meditation, Neigong, Internal alchemy, Daoyin, Zhan zhuang, Training, techniques, forms, pushing hands, weapons, taiji lessons, places to practice, legal issues.

6th International Taijiquan Exchange Competition Invitation

6th International Taijiquan Exchange Competition Invitation

6th International Taijiquan Exchange Competition

6th International Taijiquan Exchange Competition