Qi Gong

An Overview

Qi Gong has long been a part of the big Wu Shu (Chinese Martial Arts) family in Chinese history. Qi Gong (or Qi Kung) stands for “life energy cultivation”. It is a practice of aligning breath, movement, and awareness for exercise, healing, and meditation, which are often incorporated into a Tai Chi practice.

Qi Gong practice reflects the studies and findings in Chinese traditional medicine, martial arts (Wu Shu), and philosophy. Typically a Qigong practice involves rhythmic breathing coordinated with slow stylised repetition of fluid movement, a calm, mindful state, and visualisation of guiding Qi through the body. Qigong is now practiced worldwide.

There are many forms available regarding Qigong practice which are safe and adaptable for people of all ages and stages of health. Some forms have been specially developed for individuals to practice in wheelchairs. We offer people with various short and long Qigong forms, focusing on breathing and meditation with a combination of gentle and repetitive physical movements. The classes and workshops are guided in relation to its Qi (life energy) flow and visualisation upon request.

Meridian Line Points

Location

On the palm of the hand, between the 2nd and 3rd metacarpals, proximal to the metacarpophlangeal joints.

Function

Clears heat from the pericardium and revives consciousness; Clears heat from the heart and calms spirit; Harmonizes the stomach and clears heat from the middle jiao; Clears the nutritive level and cools blood.

Location

At the vertex of the head, on the midline, in the depression, 5 cun behind the hairline at the front, and 7 cun ahead of the hairline at the back.

Function

Pacifies wind and subdues yang; Raises Yang and treats prolapse; Benefits the head and sense organs; Nourishes the Sea of Marrow (brain); Benefits the brain and calms the spirit.

Location

Half way between umbilicus and sternocostal notch.

Function

Strongly harmonises and strengthens Stomach, Spleen and the Middle Jiao; Calms and fortifies the Spirit.

Location

On the sole of the foot, between the 2nd and 3rd metatarsal bones, approximately 1/3 the distance between the base of the 2nd toe and the heel, in a depression formed when the foot is plantar (downward) flexed.

Function

Descends Qi from the head; Calms the spirit; Rescues yang and revives consciousness.

Location

On the midline of the lower abdomen, 1.5 cun below the umbilicus, and 3.5 cun above the pubic symphesis (pubic bone).

Function

Tonifies Qi; Promotes Yuan or Original Qi; Tonifies the Kidneys; Fortifies Yang; Regulates Qi and harmonizes the blood.

A cun is the distance between the 2nd and 3rd knuckles or the distance at the widest part of the thumb. To be measured with the treated person’s own hands.

This is explained and practised through all Tai Chi and Qi Gong classes.

Dao Yin Qi Gong

Dao Yin Qigong is a comprehensive therapeutic exercise system that combines integrated physical movement, mental cultivation and regulated breathing. This activity is designed to guide and induce the free flow of energy Qi throughout the body, maintaining the harmony of Yin and Yang, which promotes health and a greater sense of wellbeing.

Dao Yin stands for guiding and inducing. Dao Yin Shu is a method of guiding and inducing. Through inducing external energy/Qi and guiding it internally and mindfully, one can achieve harmonious energy flow through all meridian lines ( meridian line:  a path through which the life-energy known as Qi flows), thus to improve holistic health condition and wellbeing.

The initial Dao Yin Qi Gong form was created by Professor Zhang Guang De of Beijing Sport University. When Mr. Zhang was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1974, his body hypersensitivity to many medications made his situation worse. While confronting such life-threatening situation, Mr. Zhang did not give up. Instead, he was determined to fight the cancer and studied all sorts of natural healing methods, including Chinese traditional medicine, Qi Gong ( Dao Yin Shu) and Tai Chi. This led to the creation of Dao Yin Qi Gong.

Dao Yin Qi Gong consists of 31 sets of movements all extensively researched and designed to strengthen different internal organs and their corresponding body systems.

Health benefits of practising Dao Yin Qi Gong form regularly includes:

  • Strengthen body’s immune system and regenerative capacity
  • Improved muscular/physical coordination, balance, flexibility and strength
  • Better and easier breathing
  • Increased blood circulation and energy flow
  • General higher level of internal sensation of peace and harmony
  • Improved quality of life and wellbeing

Dao Yin Qi Gong has helped millions of people with severe and chronic health conditions to improve their general health. Currently more than 4 million people are practising Dao Yin Qi Gong over 40 countries worldwide.

Detailed below are some of the Dao Yin forms. Please click on the name you are interested in.

12-Step Daoyin Health Preservation Exercises

This new set of Qigong exercises combines Daoyin with healthcare, limb exercises, and mental and spiritual relaxation. This exciting 12 Movement Qigong form was developed in 1974 by Professor Zhang Guangde, one of the world’s leading Qigong experts. This new set of Qigong exercises combines Daoyin with healthcare, limb exercises, and mental and spiritual relaxation.Adapted from over 50 forms it consists of 12 steps, which flow harmoniously from one movement to the next. It has become one of the treasures of health Qigong. It was designed and compiled by the Chinese Health Qigong Association and is based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It concentrates on the Zang Fu organs comprising the heart, liver, spleen lung and kidney and gall bladder, stomach small intestine, large intestine and bladder; the meridians, balancing yin and yang, the Five Elements, Qi and blood.

It can be practiced in both seated and standing positions. Movements are graceful and easy to learn and are suitable for all ages. When breathing exercises are integrated into Yangsheng, the movements are effective for promoting good health, preserving life and cultivating the spirit and prolonging life expectancy.

The movements standing and seating positions are:

  • Beginning of Heavan’s Creation (Qian Yuan Qi Yun)
  • Double Fish Hung on the Wall (Shuang Yu Xuan Ge)
  • Old Horse is Stabled (Lao Ji Fu Li)
  • Ji Chang Shoots a Louse (Ji Chang Guan Shi)
  • Bending the Body to Brush the Shoes (Gong Shen Dan Xue)
  • Rhinoceros Gazes at the Moon (Xi Niu Wang Yue)
  • Lotus Flower Appears Above the Water (fu Rong Chu Shui)
  • Golden Rooster Heralds the Dawn (Jin Ji Bao Xiao)
  • Wild Geese Land on the Beach (Ping Sha Luo Yan)
  • White Cran Flies High in the Clouds (Yun Duan Bai He)
  • Phoenix Salutes the People (Feng Huang Lai Yi)
  • Qi and Breath Return to the Origin (Qi Xi Gui Yuan)

This is the fundamental set of the Dao Yin system focused on cultivating Qi by gathering energy from the universe and guiding it through the body. It helps to still and purify the mind, calm the nervous system, relax the body, improve concentration, regulate and balance the hormonal system, and enhance vitality.

It is an ideal exercise for achieving harmony in mind and body and overcoming stress and worry associated with a busy lifestyle. It is the prerequisite and basis for further studies in Dao Yin.

This easy to learn set of exercises consists of 39 movements and is renowned for its rejuvenating properties. These exercises are directed towards improving the Qi flow throughout the body and strengthening the internal organs (including the heart, lungs, liver, spleen and kidneys) which are so important to our health and well being. This strengthening can halt further organ degeneration and begins a continuing rejuvenation process.

Known more correctly as Dao Yin for the Cardiovascular System, this set of exercises consists of 8 movements and, in clinical trials in China, was shown to be highly effective in the prevention and alleviation of the common diseases of hypertension and coronary heart disease. Dao Yin for the Heart was designed with specific emphasis on improving heart function, stimulating regular blood circulation, and preventing diseases of the cardiovascular system. While this set is relatively short, you will notice the immediate effects of increased blood flow throughout the body.

This set of exercises consists of 8 movements designed to strengthen the respiratory system. It is renowned for improving respiratory function, being particularly beneficial for sufferers of ailments such as Asthma and Bronchitis. There is extensive study being undertaken in to the benefits of this particular exercise set by the Dao Yin Yang Sheng Gong Research Council of the Society of Higher Education of China, and to date, the results are extremely positive. You will notice in this particular set that you are working the Lung and Large Intestine meridians, but also the Spleen and Kidney meridians which are said to strengthen the lungs.