Qigong

• Abdomen exercise: Low pressure (hypopressive) exercises to control the abdomen, back and perineum to improve Qì storage and circulation. The Dāntián (elixir field) is a primary energy center of the body.

References:

• Dantian Conditioning Exercise video

Deeper study of Embryonic Breathing theory and practice.

• With Embryonic Breathing training, the Qì can be built up and stored at the lower Dāntián to an abundant level.
• This Internal Elixir Qìgōng practice is the fundamental first step to Muscle/Tendon Changing (Iron Shirt) and Brain/Marrow Washing Qìgōng practice.
• From correct Embryonic Breathing, you will be able to feel your spiritual center and Qì center in meditation and Qìgōng practice.
• Introduction to Small Circulation.

References:

• Qìgōng Meditation Embryonic Breathing book
• Qìgōng Interpretations: Embryonic Breathing Meditation video

Test Format:

• Written or oral test for Embryonic Breathing history/theory
• Leading a session test for Embryonic Breathing
• Clearly explain correct practice of Small Circulation

• A practitioner will use his mind, with some specific physical movements, to lead the Qì to the Láogōng (P-8,  勞宮) cavity in the center of the palm and allow the Qì to be distributed to the entire hand.
• This practice has also been commonly used to improve the Qì circulation in the six Qì channels, circulating to the tip of the fingers.
• The practitioner also leads to the Yǒngquán (K-1, 涌泉) in the center of the soles of the feet, improving balance and rooting.

References:

• Understanding Qìgōng 6: Martial Arts Breathing video

Test Format:

• Written or oral test for Four Gates Breathing Theory.
• Leading a session test for Four Gates Breathing.

Four Seasons Qìgōng (Sì Jì Gōng) is a traditional medical Qìgōng practice in which one learns how to regulate the body from one season to the next to avoid common illnesses.

• This Qìgōng specializes in training the five internal Yīn organs; heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, and spleen, which correspond to the four seasons of the year.
• By practicing Four Seasons Qìgōng, you may adjust your body’s Qì and nourish the vital organs during the change of seasons so your health can be maintained.
• Dr. Yang’s method is based on 25 Qìgōng exercises and the related healing sounds. It involves Five Elements Theory and its relationship to the organs.
• Self-Massage techniques are also used.

References:

• Four Season Qìgōng – Understanding Qìgōng  4 video

Test Format:

• Written or oral test for Four Season Gong basic exercises
• Performing test for Four Season Qìgōng movements

Since ancient times, Qìgōng has been practiced to relieve, heal, and prevent common ailments, such as arthritis by gradually reconditioning the joints.

• Dr. Yang’s method includes over 30 simple and effective Qìgōng exercises to relieve arthritis pain and rebuild the health and flexibility of your joints. Qìgōng massage instructions for specific acupoints are also used to alleviate arthritis by increasing circulation of blood and Qì, which stimulates healing.
• Other common ailments such as digestion and high blood pressure are studied.

References:

• Qìgōng for Arthritis Relief  book
• Qìgōng for Arthritis Relief video
• Qìgōng for Health: Better Digestion video
• Qìgōng for Health: Hypertension video

Test Format:

• Performing test for Qìgōng for Healing topics

The practice of Qìgōng massage is one of the oldest methods of healing, built upon 5,000 years of experience and a highly refined, solid theoretical foundation. Partner massage is not included.

• Used to improve health, slow down aging, and prevent and treat many types of illnesses, Qìgōng massage is a vast healing science, and it is the root of many other popular forms of massage therapy, such as Shiatsu.
• One will study methods of massage and the acupressure points, meridians, and vessels in the human body.

References:

• Qìgōng Massage book
• Qìgōng Massage Self-Massage video

Test Format:

• Written or oral test for Self-Massage theory
• Performing test for Self-Massage

White Crane Hard Qìgōng conditions the muscles, tendons, and ligaments, and develops the strength and flexibility of the torso and spine.

• Hard Qìgōng also helps to build a strong root, improves your stability, and increases your muscular endurance.
• Energetically, Hard Qìgōng accumulates Qì in the limbs, which then circulates to the internal organs, nourishing them and improving your vitality. Training includes hand forms, stretching, fundamental stances, and two complete sets of Moving Hard Qìgōng.

References:

• Shaolin White Crane book
• Shaolin White Crane Hard Qìgōng video

Test Format:

• Written or oral test for White Crane Qìgōng  history/theory
• Performing test for Hard White Crane Qìgōng

A selection of fundamental traditional Kung Fu training exercises.

• The regimen is designed to strengthen the entire body’s structure and improve your overall fitness.
• These body-conditioning methods will gradually strengthen your bones, joints, and muscles, allowing you to develop speed, root, and explosive power without injury.

References:

• Kung Fu Body Conditioning 1 video

Testing:

Mentor’s approval is required for demonstrating competence in the basic skills of level 1 body conditioning

Soft White Crane Qìgōng  promotes good health of the spine and helps to keep the waist and torso fit and flexible.

• This Qìgōng teaches you to move like a whip, with the joints relaxed and flexible, allowing abundant Qì circulation.
• Training includes warm-ups & stretching, Qìgōng exercises for the fingers, hands, arms, & chest, and a complete set of Moving Soft Qìgōng

References:

• Shaolin White Crane book
• Shaolin White Crane Soft Qìgōng video

Test Format:

• Written or oral test for White Soft Qìgōng history/Five Elements theory
• Performing test for White Soft Qìgōng

This training builds whole-body health and fitness, improves coiling and neutralizing Tàijí skills, and develops “Listening Jìng”, or sensitivity. Taiji Ball Qìgōng training includes:

• Breathing techniques
• 16 basic patterns of stationary and rocking Taiji ball circling

References

• Tai Chi Ball Qìgōng book
• Tai Chi Ball Qìgōng video 1

Test Format:

• Written or oral test for Taiji Ball Qìgōng history/theory
• Performing test for Taiji Ball Qìgōng Circling

Tàijí Qìgōng continued study and practice.

• Stationary Posture Zhàn Zhuāng: Embrace the Tree or Arcing the Arms, Two Hands Hold Up the Sky, Stances Training
• Rocking, Walking, Coiling Sets and combined Coiling Exercise

References:

• Qìgōng for Health: Tai Chi Qìgōng  video

Test Format:

• Performing test for Coiling and Rocking Sets