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  • Medical Qigong Bibliography

    Here is a short list of 10 good medical qigong books:

    1. “Chinese Qigong Outgoing-Qi Therapy” by Pengjun Zhong
    2. “Chinese Qigong Therapy” by Zhang Mingwu
    3. “Chinese Qigong” by Zhang Enqin
    4. “Chinese Medical Qigong” by Tianjun Liu and Xiao Mei Qiang 2013
    5. “Practical Chinese Qigong for Home Health Care” by Ce Jin
    6. “Qigong Essentials for Health Promotion“
    7. “Qigong for Treating Common Ailments: The Essential Guide to Self Healing” by Xu Xiangcai
    8. “Self – Therapies for Common Diseases” by Li Hesheng
    9. “Transmitting Qi Along the Meridian: Meridian Qigong” by Li Ding
    10. “Treasured Qigong of Tradtional Medical School” by Huang Runtian

    Qigong can cure almost every disease on earth if applied in the correct manner. Please remember to consult a physician in case of serious illness. I wish you good health, happiness and peace.

    Update:

     

  • The Understanding of the Thirteen Postures

    1. The Xin (mind/heart) motivates the qi, directs it to sink, so that it can be stored and concentrated into the bones.

    2. Let the qi motivate the body without hindrance, so that it will effortlessly follow your xin (mind/heart).

    3. If the shen (spirit) is raised, there will not be any sluggishness. This is the meaning of the crown being suspended from above.

    4. There should be agility in the interaction of the yi (mind intention) and qi, so that it [the qi] will be circular and lively. This is what is meant by, ‘changing substantial and insubstantial’.

    5. When executing fajin (releasing the force) the body should relax and sink. Focus on the one direction.

    6. When the body is upright, loose and tranquil, the feet will support all eight directions.

    7. Direct the qi like threading the ‘nine bend pearls’, by flowing continuously it reaches everywhere unrestricted.

    [When the qi flows throughout the body] the jin (relaxed force) is like tempered steel, overcoming all solid defences.

    8. Have the appearance of a falcon preying on a hare. Concentrate the shen (spirit) like a cat stalking on a mouse.

    9. Be calm like a mountain and move like a river.

    10. Store up the jin (relaxed force) like drawing a bow, discharge the jin (relaxed force) like releasing an arrow.

    11. Seek the straight in the curve, first store then discharge.

    12. Force is released through the back, the steeps change with the body.

    13. To receive is to release, if it disconnects then reconnect.

    14. In moving forwards and backwards, there should be folding. In advancing and retreating, there should be changes of direction.

    15. Extreme softness yields to extreme firmness and tenacity.

    16. Only with the ability to inhale and exhale, will there be agility.

    17. When qi is cultivated naturally, there is no harm. When jin (relaxed force) is stored, there will be a surplus.

    18. The xin (mind/heart) is the commander, the qi is the flag, and the yao (waist) is the banner.

    19. First seek exspansion while opening then seek contraction while closing. It will lead to perfect refinement.

    20. Its said: “If the other does not move, I do not move. If the other has the slightest movement, I move ahead”.

    21. The jin (force) seems song (relaxed), however it is not song (relaxed), it is about to expand, although it has not yet expanded. The jin (relaxed force) might disconnect, but mind must not.

    22. It is also said: “First the xin (mind/heart), then the body”.

    23. When the abdomen relaxes, the qi sinks into the bones. When the shen (spirit) calms, the body becomes tranquil.

    24. Keep this in xin (in your heart). Remember; when you move, every part moves. When you settle every part settles.

    25. When moving forwards and backwards, the qi sticks to the back and permeates into the spine.

    26. Internally be acutely aware of the shen (spirit), externally appear calm and relaxed.

    27. Step like a cat. Transmit the jin (relaxed force) like reeling silk from a cocoon.

    28. The yi (intention) should be on the jingshen (spirit), not on the qi, otherwise the qi will stagnate. With qi, extra-ordinary power will develop. Without qi there will only be li (brute strength). Qi is like a cart wheel and the yao (waist) is like the axle.

    Reference: Taijiquan Wuwei: A Natural Process translation by Wee Kee Jin 2003
    ISBN: 0473097818

    p. 104 – 112

  • What meditation really is

    Sogyal Rinpoche

    The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying
    Chapter V “Bringing the Mind Home”

    p. 57 ff.

  • Qigong

    “Qigong” (literally “breath exercise”), an invaluable component of traditional Chinese medicine, has its origin in ancient times. Its primarystimulus was the search for longevity with the ultimate aim of immortality,which has much entranced the Chinese mind from ancient times. Therecords shows the exercises to help the qi (the human body’s vital energy)circulating freely and to nourish the internal organs dated to the ShangDynasty (16th -11th century AD). The actual practice of qigong began inthe fourth century AD. Since then the search by physician and patient forgreater health, techniques of religious cultivation and the martial artist’squest for better training methods all contributed greatly to its developmentand enrichment over the following centuries. The Taoist, Buddhist,Confucian, Medical and Martial schools of practice developed. Qigonghas been passed down from generation to generation.

    Generally, qigong is divided into two types. One is the quiescent type(jinggong 静功)，which is meant to be performed standing, sitting, orlying down using special breathing techniques by which the practionerlearns to focus his mind. The other one is the mobile type (donggong 动功)，which practices a set of movements and massage while keeping aproper balance between mind and emotion, qi and strength. Internally,qigong can enhance the spirit, the qi and the mind. Externally, it canstrengthen the tendons, bones and skin. The structure and style of qigonghas close relations with the introspective observation that is typical of Chinese culture. For example qigong takes harmony as its guidingprinciple, classical Chinese philosophy as its theoretical base, the use of will power as its fundamental means, a combination of dong (motion) andjing (stillness) as its form of expression, man’s longevity as its goal.

    Qigong has had various forms, and its name and emphasis may havevaried according to the form. However, its oldest and most diverse form isTaoyin (导引)，which holds an important position in the traditionalChinese art of preserving one’s health. Tao refers to the fact that physicalmovements are guided by the strength of the mind and in turn stimulatethe internal flow of qi within the body. Yin means that with the aid ofphysical movements, qi can reach the bodily extremities (for example, thefingers, feet and head). In this way the flow of “qi” links the zang 脏（solid organs） and fu (腑) (hollow organs) or qi being transmittedthrough the body. Sometimes this can be released from the body, and thenit is known as external qi.

    The basic methods of Taoyin (导引)are kai (开)(opening), he (合)（closing）, xuan (旋) （rotating）, rou (揉) （rubbing）, tui (推) (pushing),an (按) （pressing）, and fen (分) （separating. There are many posturesand movements in Taoyin exercises, but the emphasis is on achieving astate of harmony between body and mind. This can be done with the helpof the movements, not solely because of the movements themselves, andwhen you reach a certain level in practice, you can even “forget what youare doing, and this is gaining the true essence of qigong and forgettingphysical movements.” This state of harmony culminates in the practice ofjinggong (静功) （static exercises.

    Taoyin has many differences from gymnastics and other modern sports,as Taoyin exercises are based on mental activity and therefore it is possibleto accumulate and conserve one’s energy while practicing Taoyin exercises.However, the practice of modern sports requires showing off one’sstrength and skill, and therefore the consumption of energy.

    Another form of “jinggong” exercises is tuna (吐纳) （exhaling andinhaling）, otherwise known as tiaoxi (调息) (regulating breath) or xiqi (吸气) (absorbing qi) . this is a synthesis of different breathing skills. The basic train of thinking for these exercises is that as far as possible oneshould expel the stale and stagnated air and inhale fresh air, thusimproving the functioning of the internal organs to resist senility andprolong life.

    Tuna skills can be divided into three basic categories: Koubi huxi(breathing through the mouth or nose), Fushi huxi (abdominal breathing),other methods of breathing and regulation in conjunction with mentalactivity such as chongqi (filling the body with qi), dantian huxi (directingqi to dantian, a region two or three centimeters below the navel), zhongxi(directing qi to the heel), and guixi (breathing like a tortoise).

    Unique to China only, Qigong exercise become an integral part of theChinese culture. Qigong exercise can produce a myriad of beneficialeffects, of which the most common are preventing and curing diseases,strengthening the constitution, avoiding premature aging, and prolonginglife. Qigong exercise requires one to relax, to be calm, natural and freefrom distraction, so that it can remove “stress”, and dispel tension. Qigongexercise helps to keep the main and collateral channels in good shape toestablish harmony between vital energy and blood, to balance between yinand yang, and improve coordination of the nervous system, so thatprotective inhibition of the cerebral cortex can be enhanced. Qigongexercise helps to reduce fundamental metabolism, increase the capacity ofstoring energy, apply massage to the abdomen and improve appetite andbring good digestion. Qigong exercise helps to tap the body potentialities,stimulate positive factors, and enhance one’s self-control. Therefore, itbecomes an effective measure to attain health and longevity. Qigongmasters and medical practitioners have developed a theory from a wealthof experience and practice of qigong over many centuries. The modernscientific research and evaluation of qigong exercise has attractedincreasing attention from all circles around the world. This may bring thebenefits of qigong intellectual to light, but it may leave mechanisticdogmatism to qigong phenomena.

    Reference: A Brief Introduction of Chinese History & Culture by Liang Zhigang, QingTao Press Sept. 2001

  • Effortlessly

    Fong Ha

  • The Bow

  • Kenneth Cohens Standing Meditation


    Kenneth Cohen youtube.com
    http://www.qigonghealing.com/

  • The Human Body Energy Centers

    Chakra wikipedia.org

    Opening the Chakras eclecticenergies.com

  • Postures of the Cheng Man-Ching Tai Chi 37 Form

    Zheng Manqing

    Traditional Chinese 鄭曼青
    Simplified Chinese 郑曼青
    Pinyin Romanisation (Mandarin) Zhèng Mànqīng
    Wade-Giles Romanisation (Mandarin) Cheng4 Man4-ch’ing1
    Other versions Zheng Manqing
      Cheng Man Ching, CMC

     

    Cheng Man Ching's 37 Posture Form Chart

    Section One

          

    1 預備勢 yù bèi shì preparation
    • 起勢 qǐ shì commencement
    2 攔雀尾 lán què wěi grasp the sparrow’s tail 
    • ward-off (left side) 
    • ward-off (right side) 
    • roll back 
    • press 
    • push
    3 單鞭 dān biān single whip
    4 提手 tí shǒu raise arms
    • 靠 kào lean
    5 白鶴亮翅 bái hè liàng chì white crane spreads wings
    6 摟膝拗步 lōu xī ào bù brush knee twist step
    7 手揮琵琶 shǒu huī pípá hand strums the pipa
    8 摟膝拗步 lōu xī ào bù brush knee twist step
    9 進步搬攔捶 jìn bù bān lán chuí advance, deflect, parry and punch
    10 如封似閉 rú fēng sì bì apparently closing
    11 十字手 shí zì shǒu cross hands

    Section Two

      

    12 抱虎歸山 bào hǔ guī shān embrace tiger, return to mountain
    • 攔雀尾 lán què wěi grasp the sparrow’s tail 
    • ward-off 
    • roll back 
    • press 
    • push
    13 斜單鞭 xié dān biān diagonal single whip
    14 肘底捶 zhǒu dǐ chuí fist under elbow
    15 倒攆猴（五） dào niǎn hóu step back and repulse monkey (5)
    16 斜飛勢 xié fēi shì diagonal flying
    17 雲手（四） yún shǒu cloud hands (4)
    18 單鞭 dān biān single whip

     

    Section Three

    19 蛇身下勢 shé shēn xià shì snake creeps down
    20 金雞獨立 jīn jī dú lì golden rooster, single stance 
    • right side 
    • left side
    21 分腳 fēn jiǎo separate leg 
    • right side 
    • left side
    22 轉身蹬腳 zhuǎn shēn dèng jiǎo turn body and heel kick
    23 左右摟膝拗步 zuǒ yòu lōu xī ào bù left and right brush knee and twist step
    24 進步栽捶 jìn bù zāi chuí advance and plant punch
    25 上步攔雀尾 shàng bù lán què wěi rise up and grasp the sparrow’s tail 
    • ward-off 
    • roll back 
    • press 
    • push
    26 單鞭 dān biān single whip

    Section Four

     

    27 玉女穿梭（四） yù nǚ chuān suō fair lady weaving (4)
    28 攔雀尾 lán què wěi grasp the sparrow’s tail 
    • ward-off 
    • roll back 
    • press 
    • push
    29 單鞭 dān biān single whip
    30 蛇身下勢 shé shēn xià shì snake creeps down
    31 上步七星 shàng bù qī xīng rise up to the Seven Stars
    32 退步跨虎 tuì bù kuà hǔ step back and ride tiger
    33 轉身擺蓮 zhuǎn shēn bǎi lián turn body and swing over lotus
    34 彎弓射虎 wān gōng shè hǔ bend bow shoot tiger
    35 進步搬攔捶 jìn bù bān lán chuí advance, deflect, parry and punch
    36 如封似閉 rú fēng sì bì apparently closing
    37 十字手 shí zì shǒu cross hands
    • 合太極 hé tài jí conclude tai chi

    Reference: singongtaichi.com New Zealand

    The number of postures in different Tai Chi styles varies greatly. The original Tai Chi form consisted of 13 postures, based on the 8 trigrams and 5 elements. One of the most widely practiced styles of Tai Chi, Yang Style Long Form, uses a form with 108 postures and generally takes at least 20 minutes to complete.

    Professor Cheng Man-Ching studied the Yang Style Long Form with Yang Cheng-Fu, of the famous Yang Family lineage. Professor Cheng was one of Yang Cheng-Fu’s most accomplished students, and was given special permission to shorten the form so that he could teach it more rapidly to the Chinese military during World War II. This shortened 37-posture form eliminated many of the repititions that existed in the long form, while maintaining its essence. Professor Cheng taught it for the rest of his life, continually modifying it in terms of the general shapes of the postures and ultimately transforming it into a form designed primarily for the cultivation of energy (ch’i) and health, differing from its mother form which was designed primarily for martial purposes. Called the Yang Style Short Form during his lifetime, today the form created by Professor Cheng is called the Cheng Man-Ching form, because although his final version of the form roughly follows the Yang Style Long Form, the essense of it is quite different. In spite of the changes Professor Cheng made, his form does not betray its martial roots. Concealed within the postures are the original martial applications. Combining highly-developed softness, sensitivity, and energy as cultivated by Professor’s form with the hidden martial applications is what makes this form particularly powerful.

    Professor Cheng stated that one should take at least 7 minutes to perform his form for health benefits, and 10-12 minutes for “something more”. The 37 postures of Professor Cheng Man-Ching’s form are as follows:

    1. Preparation – Also known as wu chi or hun-yuan (Undifferentiated Unity)

    2. Beginning – or ch’i shih (where you perform the opening breath). Raise hands back and down, more familiarly known as “the ch’i exercise.”

    (3a. Preparation for Ward Off, Left – where you relax your shoulders and gain spatial understandings)

    3. Ward Off, Left – Also known as tso peng, the foundation of Yang Tai Chi. This is also a great stance to practice rooting in.

    4. Ward Off, Right

    5. Roll Back – One of Professor Cheng’s favorite defensive postures: essential for the small to overcome the large

    6. Press – an opportunity to transmit power through the wrist of the opposite-side hand

    7. Push – a vertical movement, unlike the Yang Style Long Form “Push.” The knee and elbow coordinate in this posture.

    Postures 3 through 7 are collectively known as “Grasping the Sparrow’s Tail”, which gives the impression of one playing a tugging game with a bird. Your motions should move forward and backward, like waves lapping at the seashore.

    8. Single Whip – An excellent posture for chi circulation

    9. Raise Hands

    10. Shoulder Stroke – A great inside fighting technique

    11. White Crane Cools Wings

    12. Brush Knee, Left

    13. Play Guitar – Also known as Play “Pipa”

    Repeat Brush Knee, Left

    14. Step Up and Block

    15. Parry and Punch – a neutralization is hidden here

    Postures 14 and 15 are collectively called Chin Pu, Pan Nan Ch’ui. Professor Cheng distinctly indicated there are two postures here.

    16. Apparent Close-up – Also called “Withdraw and Push”

    17. Cross Hands

    Posture 17 marks the end of the first section of the kung chia, which we call the “Short Half.” This is because it contains approximately half of the total postures in the form and lacks some of the repetitions we find in the second half (thus requiring less time for its performance).

    18. Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain

    This is followed by Roll Back, Press, Push; then Single Whip in the direction of the corner (or diagonal).

    19. Fist Under Elbow – A good stance to practice one-legged rooting

    20. Step Back and Repulse Monkey, Right – Good for loosening hips and improving digestion (front-back foot placement)

    21. Step Back and Repulse Monkey, Left – same as above

    Follow these with three more repetitions of Repulse Monkey: Right, Left, and Right.

    22. Diagonal Flying

    23. Wave Hands Like Clouds, Left – Also good for loosening hips and improving digestion (side-to-side foot placement)

    24. Wave Hands Like Clouds, Right

    Follow these with three more repetitions of “Cloud Hands”: Left, Right, and Left; then go into Single Whip.

    25. Single Whip, Lower Style – Also known as “Snake Creeps Up” (or Down). An excellent posture for increasing flexibility, power and single-weightedness

    26. Golden Cock Stands on One Leg, Right – Also known by “Golden Pheasant”, this posture teaches balance

    27. Golden Cock Stands on One Leg, Left

    28. Separation of the Right Foot – Coordinates the hands with kicking

    29. Separation of the Left Foot

    30. Turn Body and Kick With Heel – Teaches balance while turning and improves flexibility

    This posture is followed by Brush Knee, Left and then Brush Knee, Right.

    31. Step Forward and Punch

    Next, step up into Ward Off, Right; followed by Roll Back, Press, Push, and Single Whip.

    32. Fair Lady Weaves (Works) Shuttle I- A textbook example of how defense proceeds offense in Tai Chi

    33. Fair Lady Weaves (Works) Shuttle II – A different hand position (opposing hand position).

    These postures are followed by Fair Lady Weaves Shuttle III & IV, which are all done towards different corners. Together they are called the “Four Corners”. The “Four Corners” are followed by “Grasping the Sparrow’s Tail” (Ward Off, Left & Right, Roll Back, Press, and Push), Single Whip, and “Snake Creeps Down” or Single Whip, Lower Style.

    34. Step Up to Seven Stars – A devastating solar plexus attack.

    35. Retreat to Ride Tiger

    36. Turn Body Sweep Lotus Leg – Teaches balance while spinning with a crescent kick.

    37. Bend Bow Shoot Tiger

    This posture is followed by Step Up, Block, Parry and Punch then Apparent Close-up, and lastly Cross Hands, which leads to the close of the Tai Chi form

    Reference: http://74.200.201.165

     

  • Tsa Pi Shiu Lin Jing – Interpret energy

    There are many different forms of jing with shenming or Tsa Pi Shiu Lin Jing as the highest form of jing where you sense the opponents jin and yi (intention) before is visible or manifested and you control and release your opponent with Yi (pure intent) or Shen only. (Thomas compilation from different sources)

    At this stage the tingjin (listening) has refined into a kind of intuitive sixth sense, jiejin (recieving energy) has be cultivated, and the fajin (relaxed force) has become almost entirely internal. Like the ultimate in dongjin, when your opponents do not move but intent to, you have already moved ahead.

    Finally comes the ability to issue without issuing, which is fajin (releasing the relaxed force) by a subconsious direction of the mind, and with out effort.(Taijiquan Wuwei: A Natural Process (okt 2003) Kee-Jin Wee p. 46)

    You are able to sense the opponents chi and are able to pass chi into (fajin) or out of him (drain). Thus shocking his internal organs or disrupting his energy flow in the meridians (Dian Xue – pressure point). Understanding the opponents chi pattern with a light touch or without touching at all.

    The passive aspect of this jing is the ability to sense the opponents intention (Yi) and resist his chi attacks. ( Advanced Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan: Tai Chi Theory and Tai Chi Jing: 1 (dec 1986) Jwing-Ming Yang p.104 )

    Four Character Secret Transmission

    Spread. To spread means that we mobilize our chi spread it over our opponents energy and prevent him from moving.

    Cover. To cover means that we use our chi to cover our opponents thrust.

    Check. To check means that we use chi to check our opponents thrust, ascertain his aim and evade it.

    Swallow. To swallow means that we use chi to swallow everything and neutralize.

    These four character transmission represents what has no form and no sound. Without the ability to interpret energy and training to the highest perfection, they cannot be understood. We are speaking here exclusively of chi. Only if one correctly cultivates the chi and does not damage it, can one project it to the limbs. The effect of this on the limbs cannot be described in words.

    (attributed to Wu Yü-hsiang)

    Master Sam Tam are able to to spread the energy over you and prevent you from moving by “sinking the energy”. (Thomas)


    Vlad Gaevskiy


    Huang Zhen Huan


    Morihei Ueshiba

  • Light, agile and connected

    Once in motion, the entire body must be light (Qing) and agile (Ling), (it) especially should (be) threaded together.

    Taijiquan Treatise by Zhang, San-Feng
    Jwing-Ming, Dr. Yang, and Ymaa Publication Center. Tai Chi Secrets of the Ancient Masters. P. 1

    The body’s movement is soft, relaxed, smooth, natural and comfortable.

    Light and agile like movements of playing monkeys.

    The body must act like a soft whip. Continuous motion like the stream of river or waves of the ocean. Threaded together like Chinese coins or pearls on a string. Mindfulness pervades the whole body. The strength is concealed within softness. Power is instantly available at the touch of a feather. The bow is drawn and ready. Like shouting a cannonball of fire. Like the tale of dragon.

    The lightness is not an emptyness; it contains intrinsic energy. The agility is not superficial; it conseals a watchful awareness.

    All the parts of the body must be connected like a string of pearls. This means that the movements must exhibit the incessant and continuos flow of a great river.

    Rquirements:

    1. Concentration of the mind.
    2. Complete relaxation of the body.
    3. Sinking of the chi to tan tien and abiding by it so that the breathing may be deep and slow.

    (Tai Chi Chuan for Health and Self-Defense: Philosophy and Practice T. T Liang) p. 17-18

  • Mindfulness

    Mindfulness is awareness of one’s thoughts, actions or motivations.

    mindfulness wikipedia.org


    Thich Nhat Hanh, Plum Village plumvillage.org

    Reference:
    The shown clip is from the DVD accompanying the book:
    Walking Meditation (sep 2006) Thich Nhat Hanh, Anh-Huong Nguyen
    ISBN 1591794730
    The Miracle of Mindfulness: A Manual on Meditation (dec 1999) Thich Nhat Hanh
    ISBN 9780807012390
    The Blooming of a Lotus: Guided Meditation for Achieving the Miracle of Mindfulness (jun 1999) Thich Nhat Hanh
    ISBN 0807012378

  • The Chinese mind Shen, Xin, and Yi

    Shen – Spirit. The consciousness within which the mind and thought function.

    Xin – Heart. In Chinese it often means “mind”. If refers to an intention, idea or thought which has not been expressed. The heart or mind, is the center of human thought and feeling.

    Yi – Mind. It is commonly expressed as Xin-Yi. Xin is an idea and Yi is the expression of that idea. Therefore “Yi” by it self can be translated as “Mind.” Yi-zhi is will and intention.

    Examples:

    • Yi Shou Dan Tien – To keep the wisdom mind at the Dan Tian in order to store the Qi. 
    • Yi Yi Yin Qi – Use the mind to lead the qi
    • Qi should be filled and stimulated (Gu Dang),
      Shen spirit should be retained internally.

    Retaining the Spirit of Vitality internally means to be calm, patient and restrained in your actions. The mind will be concentrated and controlled. (Jwing-Ming, Dr. Yang, and Ymaa Publication Center. Tai Chi Secrets of the Ancient Masters.)

    The Mind in Qigong
    Stillness, relaxation, and a sort of naturalness are common points for most types of qigong. Stillness means thinking nothing, except the essentials of practicing qigong. Relaxation means keeping the mind and muscles relaxed. “To be natural” means one should follow the natural law and not be nervous.

    Higher-level qigong common point: Entering the state of nihility. You feel your body are likely to disappear. Entering the nihility is very helpful for health and longevity. In all the common points mentioned above, mastering the mind is the most important. The regulation of breathing is of secondary importance. Therefore, the key to qigong is not the breathing exercise.

    Peisheng, W., and C. Guanhua. Relax and Calming Qigong. p.23 “Qigong: mastering the mind”

    Ziran – Naturalness
    One of Taoism’s core values, ziran refers to naturalness and spontaneity of action, and a state of mind characterized by a kind of mirror-like clarity, which reflects things as they are, unaffected by moral or philosophical overlays. Compare with wuwei, to which it is strongly related. (Ziran taoism.com)

    The chi should be stimulated and the spirit of vitality should be retained internally.

    The principle: Water into steam. When the spirit of vitality is concentrated and retained internally, the heart (mind) will be tranquil and the entire body relaxed so that one may become alert and sensitive.

    Tai Chi Chuan for Health and Self-Defense: Philosophy and Practice (maj 1988) T. T Liang p. 18.

    Shen Concentrated
    Having the above four [red Five Character Secret], then you can return to concentrated spirit: if the spirit is concentrated, then it is (continuous and) uninterrupted, and the practice of chi (breath) returns to the shen (spirit). The manifestation of chi moves with agility. (When) the spirit is concentrated, opening and closing occur appropriately, and the differentiation of substantial and inubsubstantial is clear. If the left is insubstantial, the right is substantial, and vice-versa. Insubstantial does not mean completely without strength. The manifestation of the chi must be agile. Substantial does not mean completely limited. The spirit must be completely concentrated. It is important to be completely in the mind (heart) and waist, and not outside.

    Not being outside or separated, force is borrowed from the opponent, and the chi is relased from the spine. How is the chi released from the spine? It sinks downward from the two shoulders, gathers to the spine, and pours to the waist. This is chi’i from the up to down is called “closed”. From the waist the chi mobilizes to the spine, spreads to the two arms and flows to the fingers. This is chi from down to up and is called “opened”. Closed is gathering, and opened is discharging. When you opening and closing, then you know yin and yang. Reaching this level your skill will progress with the days and can do as you wish.

    Red.: from Li Yi Yu’s Five Character Secret (Calm, Agility, Breath – to gather the chi, The internal force – the complete chin, Spirit – Shen concentrated).

    Reference: T’Ai Chi Ch’Uan Ta Wen, Questions and Answers on T’Ai Chi Boxing Chen Wei-Ming ( Benjamin Pang Jeng Lo & Robert W. Smith ) North Atlantic Books 1985
    ISBN: 0938190776

    Page: 55

  • The Circle

    The circle is a round plane figure whose boundary (the circumference) consists of points equidistant from a fixed point (the center). Reference: Oxford dictionary

    Reference: wikipeda.org

    Importance Of Continuity
    In the case of the “Outer School” (which emphasizes attack) of boxing, the strength one exerts is still and the movements are not continuous, but are sometimes made off and on, which leaves opening the opponent may take advantage of. In taijiquan, one focuses the attention on the mind instead of force, and the movements from the begenning to the end are continuous and in an endless circle, just “like a river which flows on and on without end” or “like reeling the silk thread off cocoons”.

    The Ten Essentials of Taijiquan by by Yang Cheng Fu (Recorded by Chen Wei Ming)

    The central feature of the postures is the combination of an empty circle which has form and a formless circle which is full. These two circles represent the principle of the “empty” and “substantial.” Within the postures there is an apparent emptiness, but the posture is not really empty; it appears to be substantial, but there is in reality emptiness. This qi flows to all places without obstruction. It is rounded and lively without angles. It is without excesses or deficiencies. When manifest, the Six Harmonies are complete. When returning, it is hidden as a treasure within. Its changes are without limit. Its uses are inexhaustible. Herein lies the real teachings. It is the sum of Tai Ji Quan.

    The Meaning of Tai Ji Quan

    Chen Xin’s Boxing Treatise says it best, “When your practice is most refined, even the smallest place is circular” Every sphere has its center. Within the sphere that issues from this central pivot, there are no breaks, deficiencies, hollows or projections. So where can there be double weighting? There is a saying, “Adhering is moving away. Moving away is adhering.” The term “Taiji” actually means the center of a circle, where the outer portion is called yang and the inner portion yin [that is, outside the circle and inside the circle]. Yang is applied by adhering and attacking. Yin is applied by moving away and defending. Furthermore, adhering is preparation for moving away. and moving away is preparation for adhering. Thus, we can continue, “Yin does not depart from yang; yang does not depart from yin.” It can also be said, “Yin and yang balance each other; this is known as “comprehending energy” (dong jing). What is called “yin and yang, adhering, moving away, hard and soft, following” and so on are all words referring to attacking and defensive movements. Within the attack, there is defense, and within defense, there is an attack. For this reason, we speak of “mutual balance”. Recognizing this principle is equivalent to “comprehending energy”. 

    A Study of Taiji Push-Hands by Xiang Kairen

    He could only give him advice on a few movements, like Single Whip (Dan Bian) and “Luo Lu” or circles made with the hands and waist in three different planes, to train how to change the hand position correctly in order to dissipate incoming force and strike simultaneously, but without using strength.

    4 ounces deflects a 1000 pounds by Dong Bin

    “Avoid turning circles without any purposes. Make sure that there is “yi” (mind/intent) in every one of your moves. You need to stand up and face your opponents and should not run away from them.”

    “Do not treat push-hands lightly, thinking it involves only turning circles, some pushes and power discharge. We should treat it like fighting an enemy who is trying to kill us. Once we get in contact with his arms we should be able to control him, and we should not be controlled by him.”

    Finer points of yiquan push-hands by Yao Cheng-rong

    Ren Gang says that in push hands or sparring etc, one must first look upon the opponent not as a separate entity that you must defeat – The Enemy – but as a part of you, a part of your energy circle.

    How to train your spirit and energy to drive the body by Ren Gang

    Retreat in order to advance (Yi Tui Wei Jin).
    In pushhands the feature of prime importance is to adapt and move with the changing conditions of your counterpart. The circular movements in Taichi are the image of the symbol of taichi, which is evolving, comprising the changes of moving and adhering within a circle.

    The circular movements (Dong Zuo Zou Hu Xian).
    The patterns of interchange between yin and yang are all based on circular movements and connected by ”sticking ” to the partner’s intension. Because there is no interruption in a circular movement, it is easier to reach the partner than in a forward or backward straight line. Another benefit is that it is easier to change your acting force or direction at any point of the circular line.

    About the principles of wu-style taichichuan by Ma Jiangbao

    Yi is responsible for relaxing the external body, the muscle; for storing the Qi one develops in practice, for making smaller circles and spirals, for condensing movement to small frame, and eventually to no visible movement in order to develop Nei Jing.

    Wang Hao Da’s Message

    Therefore you only have to make the Light circulate: that is the deepest and most wonderful secret. The Light is easy to move, but difficult to fix. If it is allowed to go long enough in a circle, then it crystallizes itself: that is the natural spirit -body. This crystallized spirit is formed beyond the nine Heavens. It is the condition of which it is said in the Book of the Seal of the Heart: Silently in the morning thou fliest upward.

    The Golden Flower by Master Lu Tzu

     


    Sun Anguang

  • Structure

    The ‘classics’ state that; the body has to be upright as if the head is suspended from above; the hips have to be relaxed and seated into their sockets; the chest should be hollowed; shoulders relaxed and elbows dropped. These requirements combined create the taiji ‘structure’.

    However if all the attention in placed on the structure without having an awareness of the processes and details in the movements, the structure will be empty and without substance.
    (from Practicing the Classics by by Wee Kee-Jin) http://www.taijiquan.co.nz/