Qigong
Qigong (pronounced Chi Gung) means "energy work" and is an ancient Chinese health exercise. There are many different sequences to learn. The movements are slow, flowing and gentle on the body and are relaxing and calming for the mind. Most of the Qigong sequences we practise can be adapted for sitting so they are suitable for all. Like Tai chi, Qigong is soft and yet strengthening, energising and yet relaxing. The main difference is that Qigong has no martial element whereas all the movements in Tai chi have martial applications. Both are especially beautiful to do outside.
The Qigong sequences we study are:
Five Doaist exercises, (yin/yang diagrams, piercing silk reeling, two birds flying, frog swimming and the smiling dragon).
Five Animals Exercise or Wu Qin Xi. Two exercises for each animal.
The animals are the tiger, the deer, the bear, the monkey and the crane.
Eight Pieces of Brocade or Eight Exercises of Refinement, (Ba Duan Jin)
"Da Wu", meaning Great Dance, consisting of eight exercises.
"Yi Jin Jing", meaning Tendon Muscle Strengthening Exercise
"Daoyin Yangsheng" or "12 Movement Health Qigong"
All the Qigong sequences are about 2000 years old, except for Wa Du, which is 5000 years old!
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Click HERE for more Qigong videos
Shen Jin Ba Gu
We practise a more modern exercise taught by Rose Oliver from the Double Dragon Alliance, which is excellent for enhancing strength and stamina. It's called Shen Jin Ba Gu, meaning "lengthen the ligaments and open the joints". It is especially good for your hips!