Chinese Taoist Martial Arts Association in Greater Chicago

"An optimal way towards the understanding of the humankind and the universe"

Qigong classes will be run on certain Wednesdays from 8:15 - 9: 15 pm.  The schedule of a class will be announced beforehand.

Introduction  

    Traditional Chinese Qigong (pronounced chee-gung) has over three thousand years of written history and seven thousand years of pictorial history.  From archaeological documents, it dates back even further.  It was developed throughout the history by humankind to achieve union with the universe, by understanding, collecting, applying and summarizing the balance between man and the environment.  It further made man to achieve the interchange, accumulation, and application of energies and matters both inside and outside of our bodies.  It is the most ancient method for healing and fitness known to man.  The rudimentary principles of qigong (literally means “working with energy”) can be found in acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, the martial arts, and many health disciplines.  According to the Taoists, the shifting patterns of qi are governed by the shifting balance of yin and yang, two complementary forces that emerged from the primordial Tao, and whose interaction defines and regulates the mechanisms of the universe.  The concept of qi lies at the heart of traditional Chinese medicine which views illness as caused by imbalances of yin and yang, resulting in blockages of the free movement of qi through the human body.  Acupuncture and other remedies such as qigong practices are designed to restore the proper movement of qi through the body, thus restoring health.

Qi (Chi) emitted from finger tip imaged by Kirlian photography

     At CTMAA, regular weekly classes and summer workshops on the following qigong methods will be given:

 They will be described in more detail in the following sections.

1. Sword-Finger Qigong in Eight Forms 

    This qigong method, passed down by Master Wang Xiang-Dang, is one of the most complete qigong methods transmitted in secrecy from master to disciple through many generations.  In the past, the method could only be taught to disciples of the Tao and was otherwise reserved to royalty for their use in the preservation of health.

Qigong Master Wang Xiang Dang

     The Sword-Finger Qigong incorporates the essence of mystical union of the individual with heaven and earth.  It teaches the ways of gathering the energies of heaven and earth to circulate them in the human body as the means of maintaining good health and developing potential special abilities.  In centuries past, there was no single complete set of deep-penetrating sword-finger exercises for internal organs; only single sword-finger and double sword-finger exercises.  This Sword-Finger Qigong in Eight Forms is probably the first complete set of deep-penetrating qigong for training the qi which has been made available to the general public.

    Although the method consists of very simple movements and is very easy to learn, it is very effective in healing or recovering from fatigue.  In average, it takes about three to four sessions (or hours) to learn this method.  In other words, after attending the Wednesday's class three to four times, you should be able to practice it by yourself at any time.   The total time to practice the whole eight sections in this method is about half hour.

Sword Finger Qigong workshop at CTMAA

2. Body and Mind Healing Qigong 
 

 Body and Mind Healing Qigong Master Pang Ming

     Body and Mind Healing Qigong (or Zhineng Qigong) was compiled and arranged by the pioneering and famous qigong master Prof. Pang Ming, who is also the founder of the world’s largest qigong hospital in China.  This method is well known for its healing effects and the relative ease for the practitioners to feel the sensation of qi (vital energy) flow in the body after a short time of training.  It consists of a series of dynamic and static forms including

Body and Mind Healing Qigong Workshop at CTMAA

 3. Five-Dragon School Inner Alchemy Qigong or Neidan Gong  

     Inner alchemy (neidan) refers to the technique combining visualization and breath control to create the Golden Elixir in the inner landscape of the practitioner’s own body.  The method taught by the Five-Dragon School starts with opening the Ren-Du channel (small orbit circulation) and ends in the embryonic breathing state in which one unites with the universe and the universal energy constantly pours into one’s body. 

    Opening the Ren-Du channel is considered as a milestone in many Taoist qigong schools and has many health benefits.  Embryonic breathing is an advanced qigong method and is usually guarded as secrets in the past.  The intermediate methods consisting of whole body qi circulation and eight meridians circulation are also taught in the class. 

    A student is recommended to practice this qigong method after he/she learns the Sword Finger Qigong or Zhineng Qigong.  One can practice this qigong by simply sitting on a chair, i.e., it is not required to practice by sitting cross-legged as shown in the picture.

 Neidan Qigong

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