Great start to MIT Qigong 2013!

Here is a photo of Coach Jim Roselando assisting a first time practitioner at MIT Qigong. There were over 23 people standing with us tonight. A great way to start the new year!

Monday Night Qigong Schedule (1/7/13):

Warm up

10 min Gathering Qi

10 min Turning Cow

5 min Gathering Qi

20 min Natural Post

5 min Gathering Qi

10 Leg Qi

Seal/Wash

Yoga and Qigong: Two Streams From a Single Source

By Sat Hon,
Founder, New York Dan Tao Center, author of "Taoist Qigong for Health and Vitality." Huffington Post | August 2012

In the hunt for the common ancestor of yoga and qigong, one discovers that unlike its progenies, it existed in a form that has long vanished in the sands of time and remains buried beneath layers of foreign invasions. I know the disciplines of yoga and qigong quite well, yet nonetheless the search for their common ancestor drives me deep into ancient texts, old forgotten sutras and temple dancing figures, all of which are relics derived from this single source. Over days, months and years I continue to pursue this form -- these sacred movements and postures -- no longer found within any living tradition.

What is the origin of yoga, or more specifically of hatha yoga, the physical/mental cultivation of the spiritual path of yoga? The root of yoga is the Sanskrit word yuj, which suggests a discipline of binding -- to "yoke" one's habitual conditioning in order to liberate the practitioner from the bondage of greed, fear, obsession and indolence. The core of Indian spirituality is propelled by four dynamic concepts: karma (causality), maya (illusory existence), nirvana (liberation), and yoga (cultivation). It is at this juncture that we face a real danger of getting lost on our way down this dark, ancient, subterranean passageway of Indian culture and religion. For this exploration, it suffices to know that yoga is one of the four pillars of Indian spirituality, the concrete cultivation and practice that can lead one toward nirvana, liberation and spiritual enlightenment.

At this point, we must cross over a continent into yet another antiquity, China circa 500 AD during the Tang dynasty. A traveler would have been impressed and overwhelm by China's civilization with its great cultural refinements, the flowering of all aspects of scientific, social and economic development. One can surmise that the Buddhist mendicant monk, Bodhidharma, must have felt a sense of utter bewilderment, as he came from the relatively rural society of ancient India. Bodhidharma had a vision that he would be the one to bring Buddhism into China, the Middle Kingdom. Bodhidharma was like most well-educated upper-class Indians and he was also a prince of a small neighborhood kingdom; thus, we can deduce that he was probably educated in the four basic pillars of yoga. According to unofficial anecdotes, by virtue of his yogic accomplishment he was able to cross the Yellow River by treading on a single reed stalk. Furthermore, according to the same legend, when this Indian monk arrived at the Shaolin monastery, he was shocked by the state of decline and the weakened physical state of the monastic brotherhood as most of them fell asleep during his sermon on the transcendental heart-to-heart instantaneous enlightenment of the Ch'an Buddhist teaching. Thus, Bodhidharma decided to teach yoga to the monks in order to strengthen and develop the vitality necessary for their spiritual cultivation. Within the next century, his yoga was then absorbed and integrated into the Chinese indigenous form of physical/mental practice, qigong. Illustrated here is an example of qigong as compared to yogic asana:

                                

Yogic asana Spinal Twist, contrasted with the qigong posture Tiger Gazing Back: Notice that in both these postures there is a common spinal twist. Hence, both have a strengthening effect upon the core muscle group of the spinal column and would improve one's core strength.

Qi Vitality from Healing with Whole Foods by Paul Pitchford

     A major functional concept from traditonal Chinese medicine is qi. A vital essence found in all things, qi has aspects of both matter and energy. We will refer primarily to its expression as energy, keeping in mind that energy and matter are convertible into one another. The theories of modern physics showing matter and energy to be alternate descriptions of one reality are very much in accord with the concept of qi and other facets of Eastern philosophy.
     The qi concept gives us a measure for the vitality of a person, object, or state. If the qi of a certain food is of good quality, then the food will taste better and impart more qi to the individual who consumes it. In a person, good qi is manifested as an ability to accomplish things, lack of obstruction in the body, better functioning of the internal organs, and so on. To further understand qi, which itself is a yang quality, it is helpful to understand its yin counterpart----blood. Blood is yin and the "mother of qi", since the nutrients in blood support and nurture qi. At the same time qi leads and directs the blood. Furthermore, digestive and circulative qi must be sufficient in order for the blood to be formed and to circulate.
     Whatever manifests in a person does so with that type of qi. Someone who is graceful, for instance, has harmonious qi; weak people lack qi; those who are strong have abundant qi; people with pure, clear minds have "refined" as opposed to "confused" qi. Thus qi is not only the energy behind these states of being but the intrinsic energy/substance of these states. The qi concept, then, provides a way to describe every aspect of life.
     From a therapeutic standpoint, there are several functional aspects of qi. It is warming and is the source of all movement; it protects the body, flows through the acupuncture channels, and maintains the activity of the body systems and organs. Sources of qi in the body are three-fold: 1) from food; 2) from the air we breathe; and 3) from the essence of the kidneys, some part of which we are born with.
     How well we utilize qi from these sources depends on how we live and on our attitudes. Qi is also transferred between people in interactions of every kind. The qi of the cfook permeates the food. Exercise, herbal therapy, acupuncture, and awareness practices such as meditation are traditional ways of clearing obstructions and maximizing qi flow.
     Qi that stagnates causes accumulations resulting in obesity, tumors, cysts, cancers, and the multitude of viral and yeast-related diseases that plague those with sedentary lives and refined, rich diets.
     The qi of the body can be accurately measured and regulated by the diagnostic and therapeutic methods of Chinese medicine. In nutritional therapy, improving the "digestive qi" of the spleen-pancreas is a priority to be discussed in the Earth Element chapter. In other chapters we will discuss "protective qi" as an aspect of immunity, qi deficiencies of various organs, qi stagnation of the liver, and the practices that improve or damage qi in food and the body.
    

Qigong in the News

'Yoga standing up' routine provides physical, mental benefits
Excerpts from The Springfield News-Sun (Ohio)
Original Article by Robin McMacken, Staff Writer

May marks Exercise is Medicine Month, an initiative by the American College of Sports Medicine, and Diana Sebaly, 71, can testify regular workouts have not only lowered her blood pressure to the point where she doesn’t need to take medication anymore but also were key to losing weight. The Oakwood resident works out with a personal trainer four times a week, focusing on cardiovascular exercise and strength training, and she also practices Qigong (pronounced chee gung) weekly with Sharon Trekell, director of the Inner Well Institute in Kettering. Sebaly says “qigong is a marvelous way of strengthening and building balance in a calm and controlled way.”

Qigong, which, like Tai Chi, is often referred to as yoga standing up, combines movement, postural alignment, breathing and mental focus to balance and enhance energy, according to Trekell, who is a certified integral Qigong and Tai Chi instructor. Sebaly, who has had both knees replaced, says her doctor is “delighted” with her overall health. “Qigong is so slow, and it’s a wonderful pick-me-up to do in the afternoons. I feel energized,” she said.

Dana Penn, 57, of Washington Twp. turns to Qigong, which she started in January with Trekell, for its calming effects. “I started Qigong to help me with stress, basically,” she said, adding her job as a business analyst for a software company was particularly demanding.  She also does yoga at Inner Dance Yoga Studio in Oakwood twice a week. She practices Qigong daily for 20 to 25 minutes before breakfast and attends Trekell’s class every Tuesday night at the Church of the Cross United Methodist in Kettering. “I think Qigong is so powerful. I am just in love with it,” she added. “I get a lot of peace from it. I miss it when I don’t do it. ... It’s a different type of movement than yoga, and it challenges the body and the mind in different ways.”

According to the National Qigong Association, Qigong is an ancient Chinese health care system that can be classified as martial, medical or spiritual. Some practices increase the qi (energy); others circulate it, use it to cleanse and heal the body, store it, or emit qi to help heal others. Practices vary from the soft styles such as Tai Chi, according to the association, to the external, vigorous styles, such as Kung Fu. However, the gentle movements of most Qigong forms, of which there are 5,000, according to Trekell, can be easily adapted for all age groups and fitness levels.

Trekell began studying Qigong while she was working on her graduate degree in the early 1990s, and she, too, was looking for a way to ease the pressures of daily life. “It’s a wonderful contemplative practice that keeps you in state of equanimity,” she said. “I just don’t get ruffled much. It’s very grounding and centering. ... Qigong is fabulous for increasing vitality and longevity. We have an extraordinary medicine, called qi, in ourselves, and if we can circulate that, we will have optimal health and stress relief.”

Mary McDonald, 70, of Yellow Springs, cites Qigong as instrumental in helping lower her blood pressure, to the point where she doesn’t need to take medications, and lose weight. With regular Qigong and yoga, McDonald said “my energy level is sufficient for my age, and I am a lot more attuned to my body and what it needs and wants.”

“Qigong in the U.S. is parallel to yoga, in the sense that people want something to feel more alive in their bodies and to be able to calm themselves from the overstimulating qualities of our culture,” said  her instructor, Brad Fraley.

Penn encourages people to consider Qigong as one way to get active. “You have to experience it, and you need to go in with an open mind. On the surface, it doesn’t seem like it’s very much physically, but it is very powerful. It’s not easy to do; the more I do it, the more I am able to focus inward and be very mindful of the movements and what their purposes are. “I am just happy I discovered Qigong,” Penn said. “I am glad I was led to where I am. It’s been a wonderful experience, and I can’t imagine not having in my life.” 

Jim Roselando: The Root of Yang Sheng Qigong

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Auto-Respond 46
Fr: Jim Roselando, Boston, USA
Re: The Root of Yang Sheng Qigong

Hello again,

     There are many ways to affect ones energy level! Our art is called: Yiquan (mind boxing) as the Mind is the key aspect for regulating ones physical well being. Since our method of cultivation is based on Mind cultivation, we need to understand the benefits of Non-Attachment. An active mind will cause all sorts of issues.  Examples:

                           Anger makes energy rise

                           Worry makes energy low

                           Over-thinking makes the energy knot

                           Grief makes energy vanish

                           Fear makes energy descend

                           Shock disorients the energy

                           etc..

     In Yiquan Qigong we follow the maxim of: Use silence to lead action. Non-attachment is the road to silence, and it is being mindful of the posture, relaxation and breathing that is essential as they are our "loose guidelines" to keep us developing. Awareness of these three elements will gradually change the frequency from chaotic to calm. A calm mind, body and breath will give birth to vitality & energy!  

Greetz from Boston, USA

Peace,

Jim Roselando

www.ApricotForestHall.com

Minimal Effort/Maximum Results!

Personal daily routines are all under THIRTY MINUTES.  Yes, the Yiquan training is so core and effective that it requires but a fraction of the time to gain exceptional rewards.  Hence the maxim: Minimal Effort/Maximum Results!  The time it takes us to exercise our mind/body/breath is equal to what most people spend stuck in traffic on the way to the gym or fitness club.  Life Nourishing Qigong is a special platform for developing extreme fitness.  There is nothing more simple or more effective.  For those who have just started training I recommend Ten to Twenty Minutes of Zhan Zhuang per day for two weeks as a fair test of this arts effectiveness! 

Some notes from Master Wang on the body:

"Posture-wise, we must avoid looking up and tilting the head back, because that breaks the straightness of the neck.  Also, do not arch the back.  The elbows and the knees should be neither straight nor overly bent.  The best way is to have them half bent and half straight, that is to say UNLOCKED; then the ligaments will be stretched.  Keep the head straight and also the lower back.  Then the Qi will be able to sink, and the mind will be quiet and at ease.  The tips of your fingers and toes should be slightly extended and every pore of the body should be slightly open. Practice this way, and your internal energy flow will expand outward easily of its own accord.  Your weaknesses will become strengths and you will easily come to self-realization." 

The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine (2nd Century BC)

"When the mind is calm and stable, the vitality of life circulates harmoniously throughout the body.  If the body is nourished and protected by this circulation of vitality, how can it possibly become ill?"