Tuesdays & Thursdays
Qigong and Baguazhang
6:30-8:00pm
On scheduled Saturdays
Qigong and Body Conditioning
11am-12:30pm
On scheduled Sundays
Discussion & Meditation
11am-12:30pm
Qigong /chi kung (chee-gong) is a traditional Chinese art famous for its healing and meditative aspects that is thousands of years old. A profound method of relaxation and rejuvenation, Qigong is used by many martial disciplines to rejuvenate and strengthen the body for vigorous training. Qigong rejuvenates and strengthens the body using deliberate relaxation. Using deep tissue connections in the body, a person can learn how to gently open the joints; strengthen the tendons and internal organs, while calming and re-focusing the mind. Practice rebalances the body’s internal processes and supports release of toxic build-up from the body’s organs, tissues and muscles. Regular practice develops deeper relaxation and awareness of the body and spirit. qi - energy of the body
gong - skill developed through practice
qigong – skill with the energy of the body developed through practice
Zhan Zhuang: “Standing Still As A Tree” Strengthens the entire body – muscles, organs and bones. Ba Duan Jin Qigong/Chi Kung:
“8 Pieces of Brocade.” Eight movements, that open and close the body, healing and building strength from the inside out. Famous for healing the organs, especially the kidneys. Baguazhang: "Eight Trigram Palm” A sister to Taiji (Tai Chi). Famous for its “Circle Walking’ Qigong meditation based on ancient shamanistic traditions, it develops deep levels of awareness and incredible health. Taught to Chinese Imperial Palace guards, Baguazhang as self-defense, is legendary for its effective and practical use of whole body power, subtle technique and evasiveness. Baguazhang combines the depths of both Shao Lin and Wudang training. An advanced body/mind awareness discipline. Baguazhang (Pakuachang), translated as Eight Trigram Palm or Eight Trigram Boxing, is still a relatively less known martial art which became famous in 19th century due to extraordinary fighting skill of Dong Haichuan servant at Prince Su's mansion. Nobody really knows who created the art as Dong never talked about his teacher. Popular stories mention Taoist hermits living on the mountains in Anhui and Jiangxi Provinces. Since Dong Haichuan taught students already proficient in other arts they later developed own styles which carry their unique characteristics. The most popular styles nowadays are those coming from Cheng Tinghua, Yin Fu and Liang Zhenpu, who were all Dong's disciples. Baguazhang, originally called "Zhuan Zhang" (Rotating Palms) or "Mo Men" (Milling Style), is known for its unusual practice method of walking in circle, evasive footwork and using palms rather than fists. It is gaining growing popularity both in China and abroad. The practice of Baguazhang includes many training methods usually associated with Shaolin martial arts, while at the same time stressing importance of relaxation, deep breathing and harmonized combination of soft and hard power
Jiang Rong Chiao style Baguazhang will be taught in this class. Benefits
Studies prove that the benefits of practicing qigong are incredible and numerous. Among them are;
• Increased focus and confidence
• Increased mental alertness
• Stronger immune system, shorter recovery time after illness or dis-ease
• Healthier joints; increased flexibility
• Internal massage of the circulatory, lymph, endocrine and nervous systems
• Improved blood and oxygen flow
• Muscle tone and endurance increases
• Little to no impact on the joints
• Internal organs are gently massaged
improving their health
• Elasticity returns to the skin and muscles
• Calm awareness in the midst of chaos
• Increased balance
• Wakes & Invigorates the second brain called the Dan Tien, just below the navel and an inch inside the body
