“Nourish
the seeds of joy within you.” a Buddhist meditation |
| What
is Qigong? Qigong Fundamentals Soaring Crane Qigong Essence Qigong One Thoudand Hands Buddha Qigong Eight Treasures Qigong Jade Body Qigong Ying Yang Qigong Balancing the Heart Qigong |
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| What
is Qigong? pron. chee-Gung alternative spellings: Chi Kung, Chi Gung Qigong translates as the study or work of “Qi,” (chi) or “life energy,” and dates back 5,000 – 7,000 years. Originally named “pushing and pulling” or Dao-Yin, Qigong is the deep study of the relationships that exist within all of life. The early study gave rise to the discovery of and laid the foundation for an entire system of Chinese medicine & philosophy. Of primary significance was the intuitive detection of the meridians, the internal energy ‘highways’ of our bodies, their relationship to the internal organs of the body, and the entire unified relationship to general health and longevity. Through the millennia, many thousands of systems evolved to explore and cultivate these initial discoveries, each with breathing, meditation, philosophy and movement at their core. Qigong remains the root energy practice that underpins all Chinese martial, meditative and health systems and the feeling of the practice: slow and meditative, can be found through many internationally recognized systems of health and well-being. Qigong practice naturally integrates and enhances the functions of our body and mind. The internal organs, the immune and endocrine systems, the musculo-skeletal systems, cardiac fitness, blood and energy flow, among others, are all supported and healed. The scientific benefits of Qigong have been studied in China for decades and the positive findings are now coming under equally positive scrutiny in Europe and the West. Qigong is a key to unlock many things: health, intuition, self-reliance. With Qigong, people of all ages and fitness levels may find peace, joy and a sense of profound connection. New York Times Features Qigong & Embrace the Moon return to top Qigong Fundamentals Students will enjoy this chance to learn at a measured pace the core breathing, energy movement and body structure found in all Qigong. This is a great class for those with special health needs, those who are curious but don’t really know what direction to go with “qi” based movement, and for those who simply desire something a little different to compliment their already established mind/body routines. Students will learn both theory and individual movements. The movements are useful on their own for health and meditation as well as for a foundation for other more complex forms.
return to top Soaring Crane Qigong Soaring Crane Qigong is an elegant, peaceful form that is one of the most famous in China for its overall healing capabilities. For over 20 years it was the single most practiced Qigong form. There are many individual reports that this form is successful as a complementary method in treating cancer and other serious illnesses. Still practiced by over 20 million people in China, as well as millions more throughout the world, the benefits of Soaring Crane are an overall energetic balance, greatly improved physical health and an accompanied liveliness of spirit. Study Soaring Crane at Embrace The Moon if you want a medically based Qigong form, if you are new to Qigong and wish to gain a clear theoretical & physical understanding of basic Chinese medicine, and if you wish to have a practice that methodically develops mindfulness and intent.
return to top Essence Qigong Essence Qigong is one of the many modern forms of Qigong. It was developed about 15 years ago by Chen, Fu-yin as a method for practicing and experiencing the ‘essential’ traits of qigong and taiji. It is delightfully simple and restorative and very good for those wishing a deeply meditative and intuitive approach to their practice. Practicing Essence Qigong is like taking an internal bath. It purifies your meridians, nourishes your internal organs, tonifies qi and opens spiritual centers. Take an Essence class with Embrace The Moon if you are a beginner who would like to gain a tool to easily practice on your own. Or, take an Essence class if you are an advanced student who wishes to deepen your experience of qi without learning another complex form. Essence Qigong is offered in the winter syllabus of ongoing classes as well as throughout the year in workshops.
return to top One Thousand Hands Buddha One Thousand Hands Buddha is truly a Qigong for our time. It is a seated meditation practice that uses hand positions that were inspired by the symbolic positions of Buddha’s fingers. It is an approach that produces a sense of calm, stability, and profound peace within the heart-mind connection. It is perfect for everyone, including those not inclined towards seated meditation. The method also helps reduce stress and maintain memory. Learn One Thousand Hands Buddha throughout the year to liven up your already existing practices or if you are in need of an immediate method of obtaining calmness and clarity.
return to top The Eight Treasures (also referred to as the Eight Pieces of Brocade and the Eight Jewels) For nearly a thousand years, Eight Treasures Qigong has been passed down to maintain overall health and increase vitality. There are many versions of this form, but all rely on the same basic principles and theory of Qigong practice. The Eight Treasures is effective in building up energy throughout the body, and particularly in the limbs, where it will then flow into and circulate supporting the internal organs. It thoroughly works all the energy channels in the body in a precise and effortless way. Practitioners of the Eight Treasures will enjoy the gentle stretching and twisting movements to release and relax the entire body, to increase blood and energy circulation and to strengthen their internal organs. The best thing about the Eight Treasures however, is that it is very simple to learn, easy to practice and good for you!
return to top Jade Body Qigong This beautiful form is a slightly more vigorous form of qigong, yet still very gentle. Practice Jade Body Qigong to have fun invoking movements and breathing of the turtle, the crane and the dragon. The results of practice will be a good stretch of all the muscles, tendons and ligaments in the body. You will also benefit your spine and your internal organs, especially your heart and your kidneys through this practice. If you suffer from injuries such as whiplash, or from structural deviations such as scoliosis, you will receive great results in a short time. Additionally, because Jade Body is such a core healing practice, all people, regardless of condition, will feel physically, emotionally and spiritually open and connected.
return to top Yin Yang Qigong Yin Yang Qigong set is one of the oldest traceable Qigong forms. For over 2000 years, the 13 gentle movements have been practiced for muscle and tendon strength and flexibility, for general circulation of blood and Qi, and to calm and prepare both mind and body for meditation and spiritual development. The movements also integrate specific healing sounds for tonifying the stomach, spleen, pancreas and liver and for strengthening the overall posture and constitution. As with many Qigong forms, the movements are based on nature (Pick Stars & Replace the Dipper) and animals (Blue Dragon Outstretches Claws) and it is a beautiful and graceful form of exercise to practice.
return to top Balancing the Heart Qigong Stress, hypertension, coronary and heart disease are among the most pervasive health concerns we have today in modern society. Balancing the Heart is a medical qigong form to alleviate stress and its by-products that may manifest as heart disorders. The practice works with Chinese Medical meridians, or energy pathways, that directly relate to the health and function of the heart. By stimulating certain acu-points throughout the body, these exercises help to unblock the energetic pathways, stimulate a greater flow of qi and improve overall artery and heart condition. As with other qigong forms, Balancing the Heart combines meditative techniques of relaxation, intention, breath and movement in order to achieve harmony throughout the mind and body. Additionally, Balancing the Heart is designed to "open, extend or expand the heart and balance the blood" by rotating the arms, opening the upper chest, stimulating the legs and feet, and incorporating a useful self-massage technique. It is also a wonderful exercise for supporting the lymphatic system, training posture and balance and increasing stamina. This form is applicable to people of all ages and health conditions, all levels of experience and will provide practitioners with preventative tools for maintaining their heart health.
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