Qigong
The term “Qigong” is a modern name for this art. In ancient times, Qigong was called “guidance, sitting-meditation, inhale and exhale, etc. Over 2000 years ago, the theory of Qigong was published in a text called “The Theory of Morals”, is said “Internal Gongfu is together with the universe, controlling Yin Yang, all the spirits are concentrated and single, and all the muscles are like one”. A famous Chinese medicine doctor who lived in San Guo (220-265AD) created “Wu Qin Xi” which is regarded as the earliest, systemic and scientific of the “Guiding Techniques”. It emphasizes the movements and characteristics of animals, such as bear, tiger, deer, ape, bird, and used theories of Chinese medicine in it’s practice.
Qigong is generally divided into two separate branches. Qigong for health, in which the emphasis is on fighting disease and improving longevity and Qigong for combat, with the emphasis on power for striking etc. The following are two kinds of Qigong common techniques: Jing Gong (for example, standing and sitting-meditation, where power is accumulated) and Dong Gong (for example, walking standing and guiding technique where power is expended). All the techniques are coordinated together closely. Jing Gong is to accumulate the power, and Dong Gong is to use power.
Qi in Kungfu mainly includes Yuan Qi (namely Qi passed from the mother when a person is born), Ying Qi (from the daily food intake) and natural Qi, accumulated from nature and considered to be the most important one. Qi is taken into the body and transferred to the Dantian (Guanyuan point beneath the navel of body). When the Dantain becomes hot, Qi can be guided by the consciousness and circulated around meridian points in the body, such as Du Mai (on the back of body, from Hui Yin point, going upwards and passing Ming Men point, Big Zhui point, Yu Zhen point, Bai Hui point to Ren Zhong point) and Ren Mai (the part from Ren Zhong Point, passing Chan Zhong point, and back to the Dantian). One complete revolution (circulating from Du Mai to Ren Mai) is called Zhou Tian Gong in Kung Fu. From there you can massaging internal organs, increasing blood and energy flow, strengthening tendons and bones, increasing striking strength, resisting against attacks and/or strike, and prolonging one’s life. There is a saying in Chinese medicine, “If it is painful, it is not through, if it is through, it is not painful.”
The theory of Qigong Martial Arts is abundant, and there are different requirements for different results. The basics are: relax entirely, straighten the upper body, sink shoulders and elbows, contract chest, lower hips, control of the mind (empty the mind of distractions), regulate breathing (from natural breath to even, light, slow and long breaths) and natural co-ordination of the body.
In order to practice Qigong effectively you must have an open mind and relax your body. It can be practiced by anyone and the benefits for health and combat are enormous.
Qigong we teach here:
Static Qigong
| Form name in Pinyin | English translation |
| wuji zhuang | Wuji Stance |
| liangyi zhuang | Yin Yang Stance |
| wuxing zhuang | Five Elements Stance |
| yuhuan zhuang | Jade Ring Stance |
| hunyuan zhuang | Hunyuan Stance |
| chuigua zhuang | Hanging Stance |
| tuotian zhuang | Hold the Sky Stance |
| zuo gong | Sitting Meditation |
Moving Qigong
| Form name in Pinyin | English translation |
| shaolin yijin jing | Shaolin Yijinjing |
| wu qin xi | Five Animal Play |
| riyue yinyang shou | Sun Moon Yin Yang Hand |
| shuai zhang gong | Wrestling Palm Gong |
| pi zhang gong | Chopping Palm Gong |
| tan zhi gong | Fillip Gong |
| tie zhang gong | Iron Palm Gong |
| tie quan zhong | Iron Fist Gong |