Global Standing - Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand

The heart of Yiquan Qigong training is the Universal Post (aka Hun Yun Zhuang)! Anyone who studies the art of Yiquan Qigong will spend much of their foundation practice standing and cultivating in that one posture. Master Wang Xiang Zhai's philosophy was that of all true masters!  He was able to take the complicated and find the essence. 

Hun Yun Zhuang (left) 

 

All healthy animals are relaxed!

Chipmunk Qigong

STAND

RELAX

BREATHE.

Practice to make the body balanced

From Qi Magazine - Issue 90

By Michael Tse

Sometimes we can look at the sky and wonder why it is different every single day? It is like that because it is blancing itself. We are also changing, but the change is to balance with nature, our bodies are part of nature and so they need to be in harmony with it. We cannot tell the sky what weather we want because the weather changes so that the earth can stay balanced. It is all about balance and this is the same reason we get hot, cold, sick, feel good and even feel emotional. This is also the principle of Qigong. We need to practise to make the body balanced. Moving the body in a Qigong way allows it to work things out by itself.

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MIT QIGONG GLOBAL STANDING GALLERY
Send your pictures to: qi@mit.edu

Thank you to all of our readers who have shared their Qigong practice from around the world!! Traveling this summer? Please send pictures of your favorite Qigong pose from an exotic location! Or send us a picture from your favorite peaceful local practice spot! Most recent additions to our gallery are from Pondicherry, India and the Roof of Africa, Ethiopa (seen below).

Sean || Ethiopia

"The definite highlight was our second night, where we made camp at this kind of sun-burnt alpine plain, at around 3600m. I can't imagine a more Dali-esque landscape: smooth hills covered in short, dry yellow grass; the occasional rocky outcrop, a few lonely cacti standing watch - right down to the occasional skinny horse grazing at dead grass, ribs showing. And looking beyond all this, mountains descending to the horizon below. Then began an epic march up to the yellow hills overlooking our campsite. But the crowning moment was unquestionably making it to the other side of the mountain top, revealing a biblical view of the canyons and mountains below. Yes! This was the opportunity I had been waiting for!  The sun was setting; the sky a rarefied azure; no sound but for mountain winds. On this peak - literally the roof of Africa - I stood and watched the sun set on the cradle of humanity as if from above. A single eagle soared above the sun, effortlessly gliding on ethereal thermals. I felt I needed to be on my knees, paying silent homage to the scene." 

Sense or Senseless? by J. Reynolds Nelson

High level Qigong Masters develop their sense of Qi, through sight and touch, and more in their practice and may begin to use these characteristics outwardly.

While some Qigong Masters use their skill for martial purposes, many go on to use their special abilities in a medical capacity to help others. One special characteristic they have in common is that their senses are highly developed. They are able to see their patients in ways lower level practitioners are not. They see the circulation of energy, and are able to diagnose without Western scientific methods to a high degree of certainty. They may be able to move their energy into patients to augment the opening of blockages, even heal the patient. More research is being published now on these phenomena than ever before. Certainly, this area is controversial because of its lack of method of empirical measurements. It is often exploited by individuals of lesser character, but however predominately they may figure, we should not discount those few with genuine extra sensory ability. 

The expression of sensitivity on a spiritual level is one of the more difficult characteristics to develop for all practitioners of the Chinese internal arts. However, it is as fundamental to our training, as is the development of sensitivity on the Qi and Jing level. Indeed, in our culture we have many clues that this sensitivity exists even in our language. Take for example the phrases, "you could smell the fear on him," "it made my hair stand on end," "I could see that one was trouble from the start," "I should have listened to my instincts." 

On a spiritual level, we need to develop the sensitivity to recognize the sensitivity to recognize the development of danger before it occurs. Our perceptions must broaden beyond mere experience to sense all the elements of our environment as we pass through it. Being here now leaves little room for random voices in our mind or runaway emotions, both of which cloud our sensitivity. As both hunter and prey, our lives depend heavily on our ability to sense our way through the day. Those individuals characterized as insensitive seem to blunder their way from one disaster to the next. In a way, they develop the sense of finding trouble or fault in all things around them, stuck in a downward spiral of self-destruction. 

By being sensitive to the pattern and spirit of those around us, we can learn to find ways to avoid those of lesser character or be in harmony with balanced individuals without the loss of our own boundaries. However, if the need arises for the display of Jing or Qi, being in touch on a sensory level with those around us better prepares us to act more immediately. 

Learning to develop our sensory perception and awareness to a high level can benefit our training in many ways. It can develop our character and skills, as a martial artist or health practitioner beyond measure. It can help us to be in immediate harmony with those around us. It can broaden our experience to sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and sensations denied those who cut themselves off from life's fullness. Emotion and base instincts obscure the senses from reaching our true nature and deny us the ability to perceive. 

The development of greater sensitivity challenges many of our more base characteristics but likewise rewards us with a more peaceful and rewarding existence. And while it may be difficult to acheive, it is not beyond the grasp of any of us willing to invest in loss.

Qi Magazine - Issue 45 - Fall 1999

Zhan Zhuang Instructional Video: Day 6

In Day 6, we return to the Fa Wang Temple and begin our practice with a new warm-up exercise, the Turning Cow. Breathe in as you raise your arms to heart level with your palms facing out, breathe out as you rotate your shoulders one direction, breathe in as you rotate to return to the center, breathe out as you lower your arms. Breathe in as you raise your arms again, breathe out as you turn the other direction, repeat. This is a great exercise to perform before standing still in the Cow Post, with your hands up and out in front of you. Keep your fingers gently spread, relax your shoulders, imaging your weight resting on balloons under your arms. Keep your stomach in and don't let your bottom stick out. Relax into your balloon chair. Look forward and breathe gently and naturally. The Tao te Ching says: "It's stupid to rush around. When you fight against yourself, it shows in your face. But if you draw your sap from your heart, then you will truly be strong." As you continue to stand, keep your body upright and relax. To stop, lower your hands slowly down in the front. To cool down, swing the arms gently up and down. A very simple exercise to transition back to your day. Remember, the lessons from Qigong can be applied to your every day life. Scan your body for tension and relax in everything that you do.

Sifu Hendrik Santo: Loose & Quiet

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    Date: 3/28/11

    From: Jim (info@apricotforesthall.com)

    Subject: Loose & Quiet

When it comes to Qigong there are a few CORE principles that one must follow otherwise the result will be a depleted body rather than a nourished natural body. My teacher has always made it clear to me that we do not force anything and our goal is to be physically loose and mentally quiet. This is the foundation of Yang Sheng (life nourishing) Qigong! This method breaks any obstruction within our body and allows the Qi to grow and flow smoothly with the blood. Below you will find notes from my teacher regarding Qigong.

***

Notes come from the Cho family heir; Hendrik Santo (Sifu):

1, When the mind is quiet, the spirit will settle, when spirit settles, the Qi will grow itself to full. When the Qi is full, the Blood circulation will be strong, and thus both Qi and Blood will smoothly flow. This is how to grow the Qi.

2, Blood and Qi have their own natural path and both need to flow smoothly. One must never interrupt the natural flow of the Blood and Qi. What we can do is to help remove any obstructions and let the Blood and Qi naturally develop and expand. This is how to lead the free flow of the Qi and Blood.

3, The goal and cultivation process of Qigong is relax the physical body, quiet the mind, and let everything flow naturally. Only pay attention to these three things.

In other words, The training of Qigong is an act of Let Go and Just BE. This will lead one's body, mind & energy to return and vibrate (or resonance) with nature's frequency. We are not trying to create anything. Only to help the mind, body, energy return and balance with nature's vibration.

This is also called Wu Wei or Non Doing. One is not doing anything but achieving everything! But one is helping lead the body, mind, energy to return to its natural state and let it grow or repair itself on its own.

***

Looking forward to training with everyone tonight!!!

Time: 7:00-8:00

Room: Student Center/Room 306

Cost: FREE FREE FREE

Peace,

Jim Roselando
www.ApricotForestHall.com

Fan Sung: Let nature take its course

Fan Sung

by Jim Roselando

     The Chinese state: Fan Sung (let go) is the essence of our art.  It is through Fan Sung that we are able to let nature truly take its course. This does not mean we are not utilizing "awareness" of the physical, mental & breathing state but just as loose guidelines to keep us on the right track and not to trap us into any particular rigid structure.  

     When you suspend, relax and breathe your body has all the info needed to cultivate in tranquility. The classic states: Utilize Silence To Manage Action!  So, even though many elements are cultivated in Zhan Zhuang (yin/yang, six harmonies, etc.) these are the result of Fan Sung & Silence and not something that can be artificially duplicated through trying think or mimic structure.  The end result will be a TRAP for you and your cultivation! This is why we do not utilize mirrors during training as you will attempt to artificially duplicate versus a natural progressive cultivation.  

     When practicing Zhan Zhuang Qigong there are many wonderful benefits but unless your mind, body & breath are completely relaxed then these benefits may never surface. So, just suspend, relax, breathe and Fan Sung!!!  Within no time you will understand how the theory of utilizing comfortable force is the big secret of our training!