Next to acupuncture and the application of healing herbs, qi gong is an important aspect of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It promotes health through soft movements connected with exercises for breathing, concentration and meditation, thus strengthening and harmonising the qi. In China, qi is regarded as the original vital energy which keeps all physical and mental functions running. Its quality influences our wellbeing and any disorder can cause illness.
Qi gong exercises have a long tradition in China. From the Han dynasty silk pictures have survived depicting such exercises. During the Jin dynasty the daoist Xu Xun was the first person to use the term "qi gong".
Classes consist of exercises of hard and soft qi gong. The soft form of qi gong improves the qi flow in the meridians and the vessels while the hard style emphasises the control of the qi, i.e. students learn to send energy to certain parts of the body and to concentrate it there.
Among others we teach the following:
- Eight Section Brocade Qi Gong (Baduajin)
- Qi Gong Balls
- Special techniques for qi control
- Heart Qi Gong (Shuxin Pingxue Gong)
- Five Animals Frolic (Wu Qin Xi)
- The Swimming Dragon (qi gong for the spine)
- Muscle and Tendon Changing (Yi Jin Jing)
- Bone Marrow Washing (Xi Sui Jing)
- Yi Jing Xi Sui Gong
- Chanyang Gong
- Shaolin Six Combination Gong
This is probably the best known qi gong exercise. Its name follows the delicateness and preciousness of brocade fabric.
The exercises:
- Pressing the Heavens with Two Hands
- Drawing the Bow and Letting the Arrow Fly
- Separating Heaven and Earth
- Wise Owl Gazes Backward
- Big Bear Turns from Side to Side
- Touching Toes then Bending Backwards
- Punching with Angry Gaze
- Bouncing on the Toes
