Video: Coach Jim Roselando Demonstrates the Crane

Coach Jim Roselando demonstrates the crane pose on both sides form two angles. Notice how your body changes by incorporating just three minutes on each side of this exercise into your practice. Half body posting!

Video: Coach Jim Roselando Demonstrates Gathering Qi

Coach Jim Roselando demonstrates the Gathering Qi Exercise from the MIT Qigong Year One Curriculum. Add ten minutes of this exercise at the beginning or end of your daily practice to relax the mind and coordinate the breath with the physical action. 

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

Global Standing: Long Nook Beach, Cape Cod

We woke up at 4am and rode our bikes three miles in the dark to Long Nook Beach, Cape Cod. We placed a camera in the dunes and stood in a natural post for thirty minutes while the sun rose. Although it is best not to practice in the wind, we enjoyed the energy of the Atlantic. We encourage you to share your own qigong experiences with us: qi@mit.edu

Wuji Zhuang with Coach Jim Roselando

Date: 10/3/11
From: Jim info@apricotforesthall.com
Subject: Wuji Zhuang

Hello,
     Tonight I am looking forward to doing something a little different.  Not only will this be the simplest set we have had done in a long time it will be the most effective way for you to truly sample deeper levels of relaxation.  When one trains Zhan Zhuang (or any form of Natural Qigong) we must make sure we do not use any extra force to make the exercise truly work.  The two guidelines for the training are for one to be loose & quiet and the rest happens naturally.  So, as Qigong practitioners we can only assist in the breaking of blockages (physical/mental) by following these guidelines and any extra thoughts or work will only have reverse effects on our cultivation. 

     It is said that Wuji is the mother and the Universal Post is the father of the internal arts.  Tonight we will focus on Wuji Zhuang.  The most common question asked about these two methods would be, What is the difference in cultivation between Wuji & Universal?  Answer, Not much!  The posture (body) and principles are the same and the only big difference being hand positions.  One of the benefits of Wuji is that it is less demanding than the Universal Post so you can "taste" a higher degree of physical, mental and breathing relaxation.  When you have experienced high levels of relaxation this allows your sensitivity (AWARENESS) to be greater in any exercise we practice.  I do want to tell everyone to do not under-estimate the effectiveness of the Wuji Zhuang!!!  If you think this will be too easy for you then I will say, come give it a try and let me know how you feel at the end.  I look forward to tonight's work out!

Time: 7:00-8:00
Location: Student Center/Room 491
Cost: FREE 

See you soon.

Peace,
Jim Roselando

http://www.apricotforesthall.com/
http://web.mit.edu/qigong
http://www.wingchunillustrated.com/

The Vancouver Sun: Tapping into self healing with qigong

Tapping into self healing with qigong

 

The ancient art of health qigong combines slow movements with breathing

William Liu’s health was a mess. Arthritis had invaded his joints, he lived with a chronic cough, and the skin on his palms looked diseased. In flu season, he was always the first one infected and he frequently took sick leave from his job as a mechanical engineer in charge of fire sprinklers for Vancouver City Hall.  He saw many doctors and tried everything those doctors recommended: steroid creams for his skin, steroid injections for his joints, church and temples for his attitude, a healthy diet and exercise. He learned from the Arthritis Association how to manage his pain, but nothing he did ever cured him of his problems.  Then in 1996, he decided to try health qigong (pronounced Chi Kung). Within a month and a half, he says, he felt much better. Soon, one after another, his problems disappeared. Within four months, all his arthritis, lung and skin problems were gone, never to return.  His colleagues were so impressed with his recovery that they encouraged him to teach a lunchtime class at city hall, and it has continued for many years. About 40 city workers attend health qigong class every Thursday, even though Liu has since retired.  Health qigong is an important element of traditional Chinese medicine. Loosely translated, qi (or chi) means vital energy, and gong means work plus effort.  It is a form of exercise that involves slow movements, similar to tai chi, combined with breathing. The movement is said to open vital energy meridians to the body’s organs and allow the oxygen in to massage and heal them. It is believed that it works by strengthening the body’s immune system thereby increasing the body’s ability to self heal and recover.  “In traditional Chinese medicine, chi and blood are believed to complement each other,” explains Liu, adding that scientists now believe that chi is bioelectricity circulating inside the human body.  “There are twelve primary chi meridians [invisible energy channels] running inside our body. Each primary meridian is associated with one internal organ and is connected to a toe or a finger.”  Chinese doctors in ancient times learned that specific body movements combined with deep breathing could improve the chi circulation in specific organs. They developed the qigong exercises which could prevent or heal many chronic illnesses and slow the aging process, says Liu.  Ken Low, a Vancouver sifu (martial arts master) says health qigong differs from martial arts in that the poses are not defensive or offensive. It is considered a sport in China.  “The movement is all designed to strengthen the body,” he says. “It has no self-defence purpose. It is all health enhancement.”  Liu says it could be considered the Chinese yoga. Both forms are ancient and both emphasize breathing combined with movement. And, like yoga, health qigong is an omnibus name, given by the Chinese government 100 years ago to encompasses thousands of forms.  The form Liu learned first was wah tor, but he has since learned dozens of others. He practises every morning.  This weekend, the Chinese Health Qigong Association hosts the 4th International Health Qigong Tournament and Exchange, the first time it has been held outside of China. Teams of practitioners from more than 20 countries, including Belgium, Iran, Iraq, Greece, Korea and the United Kingdom are coming to the War Memorial Gym at the University of B.C. to be judged by a panel of masters and exchange culture and friendship.  “They will look at their form and their focus,” said Low who is organizing the tournament and exchange with the Canada International Health Qigong Association.  Low says the tournament is a good opportunity for Vancouverites to be introduced to the sport, or test their skills if they are already practitioners. The weekend tournament is open to the public at no cost.  Then on Monday Sept. 19 and Tuesday Sept. 20 masters from China will teach two forms of health qigong at the Richmond Sheraton Airport Hotel. Monday’s lesson will teach Yi Jin Jing (transforming tendon exercise), which strengthens the muscles and tendons, and Tuesday’s seminar will teach Mawangdui Daoyin Shu (based on the Daoyin Tu chart, unearthed from a Han Dynasty tomb), which provides guidance along meridian channels and synchronicity of mind and body. Each seminar costs $100.  On Wednesday, Sept. 21, competitors who wish to have their form graded can be examined by the masters.  Kathy Bengston, who works in the city clerk’s office at City Hall, and who learned several forms of health qigong from William Liu, says she will be part of a team entering the tournament.  While she has no chronic health problems, she says the practice relaxes her and she hopes is preventing health problems.  

kgram@vancouversun.com

At a glance  

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Wing Chun Illustrated Articles

For the past number of months, Coach Jim has been writing a Kulo boxing column (The Inner Circle) for Wing Chun Illustrated magazine.  Yesterday they launched their new webpage:

www.wingchunillustrated.com 

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Here are direct links to my Kulo village Pin Sun Wing Chun articles:

http://www.wingchunillustrated.com/2011/09/22/leung-jan’s-kulo-wing-chun/

http://www.wingchunillustrated.com/2011/09/22/leung-jan’s-kulo-wing-chun/2/

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“A fundamental study of the art’s tools and dynamics are learned in the first four skills of the Twelve Fists. From this point in the art’s progression, the practitioner begins a refined study of the art’s skills, which are done in specific hand combinations that relate to the range and dynamics being trained.”
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