Qi Gong in Our Classes

We use several Qi Gong routines in our normal classes. Performed seated or standing, our classes will normally start with a quiet meditative period to encourage everyone to focus on deep Yang Breathing and to progressively relax and open all  joints.

This will normally be followed by a gentle “Warming-up” Qi Gong to loosen the joints and then a very internal “5-Element” Qi Gong,

 

For more advanced classes we often use a “Primordial” Qi Gong to replace both the warm-up and internal forms.

 

Only then will we start our T’ai Chi Chuan Form

Yang Breathing

This is  the slow, calming, deep breathing practiced by most of the healing arts, including Yoga and western medicine. The in-breath is allowed to fill the diaphragm (expanding the stomach), massaging the internal organs. It uses the full lung capacity and promotes greater oxygen flow to the body.  The reversing out-breath causes the stomach area to contract, providing further internal massage.
This slow breathing technique is used as a metronome to control the speed and pace when performing the T’ai Chi Form

Warming Up Qi  Gong

It is essential that before practicing a TC form, that the body is relaxed and loose. To promote this we use a series of Warm-up forms based on those used by Dr Paul to precede his forms for Arthritis and Diabetes. We normally perform these as a slow Qi Gong to promote initial movement and relaxation.

5-Element Qi Gong

This is  a slow, meditative Qi Gong using five movements which can be carried out at any time, sitting, standing or lying down. It promotes and concentrates Chi flow  within the body, based on the five key elements of Chinese Medicine said to control the key organs:
Earth, Metal, Water, Wood and Fire.

Primordial Qi  Gong

This is  a very internal “Chi gathering”  based on a centuries-old  Dowist routine, introduced and taught  by  Michael Winn  www.healingdao.com. It was shown to us by  Shelia Rae, one of Dr Paul’s US Master Trainers.
We often perform this intense Chi gathering  as our warm up form, either in its entirety (which can take us around 45 mins), or alternatively use a section of it followed by the 5-Element described above.