QIGONG 氣功
Qigong is an internal energy exercise system developed in ancient China. Named either Qigong or Chi Kung, it generally means life energy cultivation or energy work as its main focus is on internal energy (chi - 氣 ) cultivation.
Contrary to western exercise with its emphasis on the physical and muscular, with fast and hard movement and the production of energy being a by-product, Qigong takes the opposite approach. Its main emphasis is on internal energy cultivation and movements are slow or non-existent. This allows the mind to focus internally allowing both sensitivity and feel to develop.
There is a saying in the world of Tai Chi and Qigong that energy follows the mind's intent, both are intricately connected. Once the mind is stilled and engaged in chi cultivation and movement, Qigong becomes extremely effective at generating internal energy and inner power.
Qigong exercises coordinate the mind with body movement and internal energy flow and are practised with various breathing techniques. Qigong is effective at relaxing the mind, cultivating and enabling energy flow, improving flexibility and suppleness, and nourishing and replenishing the spirit. As it is based on slow movement and does not overexert the muscles and physical structure, Qigong can be practised by all, no matter the age or level of fitness.
There are many diverse styles of Qigong around the world with titles such as Soaring Crane Qigong, Dragon, and Tiger Qigong and, 5 animal Qigong to name but a few.
Within the Lee Style system, our focused Qigong work is called K'ai Men 开门 and Tao Yin 導引.
K'AI MEN 开门
K’ai Men, which means “Open Gate” is a series of Chi generating stretching exercises following the Taoist principles found throughout the Lee Family System. Also known as Taoist Yoga it focuses aligning our muscular-skeletal system and associated meridians with breath work and movement. The energy gates of K’ai Men are spaces in the body where energy can flow or stagnate – spaces between joints or at the various energy centres in the body.
There are said to be over 400 K’ai Men exercises and each one has a focus on creating a ‘muscle change’ in a particular area of the body. Each K’ai Men is performed in two sequences. The first sequence co-ordinates deep breathing with movement, and through a gentle stretch begins to move the chi to the energy gates. The muscle group so prepared, relaxed and warmed up is then ready for the next sequence.
The second sequence extends the stretch, which in turn moves the chi (Qi) through the gates and revitalises the channels of the body. As well as unblocking and moving energy which has numerous benefits for health, K’ai Men also increases the bodies suppleness and flexibility. It soothes the muscles and tendons, releasing tension, and relaxes the mind and spirit.
As we harness our breath to our movements we flow smoothly through different positions. Extension and deepening of movements come as a result of relaxing into stretches rather than creating the tension that comes from trying to achieve change. We allow natural development leading to more flexibility and connection with ourselves and our bodies, with no danger of overextension and injury. This is a more Taoist way of working, encouraging change through conscious relaxation rather than striving to progress.
Image : Greg Goldsworthy
Image : Greg Goldsworthy
TAO YIN 導引
Tao Yin literally translates as ‘guide and pull’ or ‘guide and stretch’. Tao Yin exercises differ from the K'ai Men exercises, as the focus is on co-ordinating deep breathing and soft stretching through one sequence and no extension. Each Tao Yin also has a memorable name such as ‘the flying fox’, ‘the eagle stretches’, ‘beware the bear’ to name a few.
The emphasis of Tao Yin is on the sinew channels or muscle tendon channels. These sinew channels in Chinese medicine follow the 12 primary energy meridians – the lung, stomach, heart, lung, spleen, small intestine, bladder, kidney, pericardium, gall bladder, sanjioa (triple burner). They are broader than the meridians, sitting more superficially at the bodies surface and provide the first line of protective chi (Qi). They originate where each particular meridian starts whether it be at the toes or finger tips and finishes either at the main body or head. For instance, the lung meridian sinew starts at the thumb tip and traverses up the arm to the shoulder, before dropping down the upper chest covering the lung and finishes at the diaphragm point on the lower chest.
Tao Yin focus on each particular sinew - guiding, stretching and so lengthening and improving the sinews flexibility. This strengthens and nourishes the sinew improving improving chi (Qi) flow along the channel.
The Taoist principles of non-force are applied to every aspect of the Lee Style arts whether executing a move in the Feng Shou or stretching in Tao Yin or performing Tai Chi Flying Hands. As well as working on the muscles each Qigong exercise is designed to contract and expand our internal organs in order to unblock and free the movement of Chi throughout the body. This, in turn, improves the flow of internal energy through the body's intricate network of nerves, blood vessels, and energy meridians. Thus harmonising yin with yang and the inner and outer energies of the body.