Qigong is an ancient and evolving system of health and wellness that arose out of China thousands of years ago. "Qi" is the Chinese character for "life-energy" and "Gong" means "work" or "skill".   Therefore, one could say, qigong means working with the life-energy in a skillful way. The practice of qigong includes various different postures, movements, breathing exercises, self-massage, and meditation. Taijiquan is a form of 'martial qigong' in which in addition to gaining health and meditation benefits from regular practice, one also develops martial art skill. The foundation and essence of all forms of qigong is meditation, Wuji Qigong. Taiji (Supreme polarity) arises within Wuji (Supreme non-polarity). Taiji is the continual flux and dance of polarities, whereas Wuji is forever still, boundless, and unchanging. 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.

"Long Life Exercises"

A sequence of warm-up exercises and gentle stretching from Guang-Ping Yang Style Taiji. These exercises when practiced regularly help the body to develop increased flexibilty, strength, and range of motion. They also help to strengthen the internal organs, circulate and build up the qi, and calm the mind.

Chan Si Gong - "Silk-Reeling Exercises"

Repetitive circular and spiraling movements to help relax joints, muscles, and tendons, helping the body to develop more relaxed and integrated movement and circulate the vital energy. Foundational movement principles of Chen Style Taiji.

Laojia Yilu - "Old Frame, First Routine"

This is the first form of Traditional Chen Taijiquan. Regular practice of it 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 strength and health to the body, and a deeper quietude to the mind. Practice of forms also 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" (also sometimes called "Listening-hands")

Hunyuan Qigong - "Primordial Origin" Qigong

Hunyuan Qigong is a rare and powerful form of qigong for health and meditation from the ancient Taoist tradition. It consists of a specific set of soft, flowing, and circular movements integrated with breath, and intention, to help nurture and direct the qi throughout the body, accumulating qi from nature and the environment and mixing it with the prenatal qi, the body's genetic inheritance. The regular practice of these exercises builds up the qi bringing health and vitality to the body, quietude to the mind, and helps bring one into a deeper experience of the hunyuan state, the 'Original Unity'.

Wuji Qigong - Seated & Standing Meditation

Wuji translates as "Eternal Nothingness". Builds health, strength, and energetic integration. Offers the opportunity to relax more deeply into the core of one's Being and find lasting peace and fulfillment.

Recommended Reading:

- Cultivating Stillness (translated by Eva Wong)

- Tao Te Ching (traslated 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 ~