Qigong is an ancient and evolving system of health and wellness that arose out of China thousands of years ago. The practice of qigong includes various different postures, movements, breathing exercises, self-massage, and meditation.   During the practice of qigong, one learns to develop a one-pointed, meditative quality focus, becoming more deeply aware of posture, breath, and intention, throughout the practice, as well as in any given moment in one's life. Within the martial school of qigong is taijiquan, an effective martial art that when regularly practiced also confers health and meditative benefits similar to other forms of qigong. Chen Style Taijiquan is widely acknowledged as the oldest and the ancestor of all other taijiquan styles. It is characterized by its lower stances, more explicit spiraling movements, and the balance of both slow and fast movements. The system traditionally includes empty hand forms, weapon forms, and two-person drills (push-hands). The foundation and essence of all qigong and taijiquan is Wuji Qigong, seated and standing meditation. It is with this essential foundation that one begins to truly embody the age old adage of "stillness in movement, and movement in stillness."

Taiji (Supreme polarity - yin / yang) arises within Wuji (Supreme non-polarity / Eternal Nothingness). Taiji is the continual flux and dance of polarities, whereas Wuji is forever still, boundless, and unchanging. Therefore to relax into Wuji in the depths of meditation is to find the eternal, infinite center of all things, present even in the midst of movement and activity. Truly, though talked about as two,Wuji and Taiji are One, just like the ocean and it's waves. Waves come and go, though the ocean remains the ocean... always whole, and always one.

Chan Si Gong - Silk-Reeling Exercises

(Repetitive circular and spiraling movements to help relax joints and tendons, also helping the body to develop more relaxed and integrated movement. Foundational movement principles of Chen Taijiquan)

Laojia Yilu - Old Frame, First Routine / First form of Traditional Chen Taijiquan

(Help's one develop strength, balance, coordination, and a deeper understanding of basic Taiji principles. Also, helps to circulate, balance, and build up the qi throughtout the body, bringing increased health to the body, and a deeper quietude to the mind. At the highest level, practice of forms offers one the precious opportunity to more deeply recognize the presence of stillness in movement, and movement in stillness... a harmonious integration of mind, body, and Spirit)

Tui Shou - Push-hands

(Exercises done with a partner to help in the cultivation martial skill and the ability to more deeply understand and apply the core principles and techniques of taijiquan. When the mind is deeply quiet and receptive, the body relaxed and integrated, the energy (qi) abundant, and the Spirit shining clear, a natural internal strength arises. This strength is perfectly adaptable, flexible, and in harmony with what is. Cultivating this natural strength and sensitivity, is the key to effective push-hands practice)

Hunyuan Qigong - "Primordial Origin" Qigong

(Hunyuan Qigong is a specific set of movements integrated with breath, and intention, to help nurture and direct the qi throughout the body, accumulating qi from the environment and mixing it with the prenatal qi, the body's genetic inheritance. Also includes standing meditation in which one lets go of all intention, even letting go of the idea of letting go. Brings health to the body, quietude to the mind, and a return to the Original Unity)

Zhan Zhuang / Wuji Qigong - Post Standing / Standing Meditation

(Builds health, strength, and energetic integration. Offers one the opportunity to relax more deeply into the ever-present Wuji - Eternal Nothingness, where all is One)

Recommend Reading: - “The Tao Te Ching,” by Lao Tzu (translated by Stephen Mitchell)

“In the pursuit of knowledge, every day something is added.

In the practice of the Tao, every day something is dropped.

Less and less do you need to force things, until finally you arrive at non-action.

When nothing is done, nothing is left undone.

True mastery can be gained by letting things go their own way.

It can't be gained by interfering.”

~ Lao-tzu ~