Notes from the Training Hall- 1
I’m always reminded when teaching Taiji that people often embark on learning Taiji with one of three outcome in mind. I refer to these as achievements. The first is Taiji for its health benefits. This is by far the most popular reason for seeking out a class.
IT’S ALL IN THE MIND
Sorry to say it has been too long since I wrote something but I’m prompted by a reader’s comment regarding the difficulty in using the ‘mind’ or ‘intention’ in practicing Qi Gong.
A Word of Encouragement
I am frequently asked how practice benefits us in our daily lives. I normally say that to understand that you need to remember what you were like before you began a regular practice and imagine what you might be like now if you had not persevered.
THREE ESSENTIALS IN QI GONG PRACTICE
I have often been asked by students of Qi Gong how they can enhance their practice. I generally look at what they are practicing before I comment since the problems may lie in the mechanical and technical aspects of their Qi gong.
THREE ESSENTIALS IN QI GONG PRACTICE
Master Li Li Qun always emphasised the value of breath and the development of good respiratory habits in the practice of Qi Gong. He was fond of telling me that ‘one in breath, one out breath is Taiji’ and was emphatic that practice without a proper understanding of the role of breath meant that though you may appear outwardly to be doing Qi Qong, internally you were not.
THREE ESSENTIALS IN QI GONG PRACTICE
When you begin to study the methods of Qi Gong you normally begin with some form of movement and postural practice that might typically be referred to as a “dynamic”,”self strengthening” method.
Learning a new Form
I’ve just started teaching the Heaven and Earth Jian form to a full and mixed house. I have both advanced and intermediate students learning together which makes for a lively and interesting if not challenging class.
100 DAYS – A GOLDEN RULE
I teach Qi Gong as a process that starts from dynamic movement oriented practice to less dynamic and more therapeutic/medical practices and finally to still, seated meditation. I have found that this is the best way to induct students into a theoretical and experiential knowledge of the Art that is Qi Gong and for them to achieve the relevant skills to make it their own. As you will probably realise though, this is not a fast track or quick fix method.
Qi Gong- Coping with ‘crap’.
It’s often hard to balance out all the different and sometimes conflicting experiences we have that constitute our daily life. Most of them can easily be categorised as pleasant or unpleasant by degrees. Most of them are so mundane that they do not significantly impact upon us.
Martial Vocabulary and Principles of Application
I am always a little bit annoyed but sadly not surprised when martial artists of the more Kick and Punch persuasion laugh at Taiji as a martial art. This prejudice is based upon the common presentation of Taiji as a therapeutic practice only.