Qi Gong

Qi gong (pronounced chee gong) simply means energy/breath work or exercise, and covers a broad range of methods, styles and movements. All are generally concerned with maintaining good health or recovering from illness. Movements are performed in the same manor as Tai chi, ie slowly, with awareness, and by regulating the body, breath and mind.

Regular practice of Qi gong can develop the same quailities as Tai chi. In Tai chi good health is a by product of the process of martial training, but in qi gong good health is the sole focus, so Qi gong always aims to restore or enhance the bodies natural healing abilities. The bodies systems have a natural affinity for homeostasis and the practice of qi gong encourages the body to heal itself by returning to a balanced state. In Chinese medicine there is also no separation between the mind and body, so by regulating the physical body the emotional aspects are also regulated.

I begin by teaching a set of dynamic moving Qi gong known as Eternal Spring. This form consists of 12 movements, with each one adding some element of progression, so that the set presents a full vocabulary of movements and energetic ideas. The first movments are relatively easy to learn and are ideal for beginners to sense the physical and mental relaxation that practice creates. This form also explores all the core ideas and principles inherent in qi gong, tai chi or any of the internal arts.

This set is also the foundation for the remainder of the Qi Gong sylabus as passed down from Dr Li.

At its simplist level Qi gong offers the chance to be a proactive in the control of ones own health. At its highest level it is a  yogic practice that is concerned with physical, mental and spiritual development and nourishing ones own destiny.