In all the martial arts
the critical foundation that must be cultivated by the student
is mindfulness.
(Ron Sieh)
A challenge
A new starter is expected to attend, practice, and prepare for a 40
minute qigong challenge.
Completing this challenge will entitle you to a qigong ticksheet.
Having completed the challenge, you are a beginner.
Full circle qigong challenge
8 postures are held for 5 minutes apiece.
This usually serves to take you through 'the barrier'; you begin to relax
and release trapped energy through involuntary shaking.
It may sound alarming but is actually very pleasant.
New starters practice this qigong for a number of weeks, building their stamina
before attempting the challenge.
They hold each posture for 2 minutes, then 3, 4 and finally 5.
The real challenge is not to last 40 minutes; it is to relax your body enough to
shake.
If you find the qigong to be an ordeal, you should consider improving your
condition through more home practice.
Beginners qigongs
Why are the qigongs so important?
They train the body to connect internally and rely upon whole-body action rather
than just muscular strength.
The health benefits are also high.
Form is too complex to offer an
immediate health benefit, so the qigong represents an alternative.
Qigong ticksheet
The qigong ticksheet is a list of the basic qigong exercises
that you are expected to learn in part 1 of the beginners syllabus.
The exercises teach you
how to use your
body in our school.
Daily home practice is the
easiest way to remember this material. Aim to learn one exercise each week.
Once you have finished column 1 you can start part 2 of the beginners
syllabus.
Standing & moving
There are two types of qigong in the beginners syllabus: standing and
moving.
Standing exercises develop connection, sinking, alignment and stamina.
Moving qigong teach you to deliver power using the entire body.
They lay the foundation for
reeling silk and
jing.
Progress (qigong)
Part 1 beginners must complete column 1 of the qigong ticksheet.
This represents a basic understanding of the qigong and the ability to practice
it unsupervised.
Page created 5 April 1998