Golden Rooster School - Daoist Neigong
Nine Dimension Swimming Dragon
Movement 1 - Cloud Dragon Brings Spring Rain
From a western physiotherapy perspective
:The first movement is to connect and repair the back and shoulder connection, increase circulation of blood, lymph, and other nutrients, and deepen and lengthen the breath.
The movement is powered by alternating drive through the legs and helps to strengthen the core muscles.
If the posture shown in the video is too demanding, choose an easier posture from the chart of stances .
The movement is powered by alternating drive through the legs and helps to strengthen the core muscles.
If the posture shown in the video is too demanding, choose an easier posture from the chart of stances .
Precautions
- Always warm up properly before any exercise
- Perform Sequences without excess tension
- Always work within your capacity (70%)
- Going for the burn is not the right attitude
- Sequences are performed on both sides
- Allow progress to happen in its own time.
- Do not force the breathing, belly breathe if possible
- Take time to recover between movements when needed (Wu Chi Posture)
- Cool down properly afterwards.
Always Use the Correct Stance
for your Current ability,
Health, and Fitness!
see below
for your Current ability,
Health, and Fitness!
see below
Practice swimming dragon qigong according to the principle of Wu Wei
Wu Wei is an ancient and underlying principle of philosophical Daoism. Despite its antiquity, its principle is as valid today as it has continued to be throughout history, I would suggest its advise is even more needed in today’s high speed disposable world.
Here I have translated the term sympathetically in line with the qigong and tai chi student of today. Many more literal versions are available but can be left to those studying Daoism in more depth.
Wu Wei is ‘to do, without doing’ perhaps more easily understood as ‘not against nature´, with a specific inference that following nature rather than fighting against it is a sound approach to a happy life. Let us examine this in a little more detail. In relation to why people often find it difficult to begin or continue to practice the internal arts.
Many people recognise the tremendous and widespread benefits of practising the internal arts, and have a sincere desire to practice. Yet often feel they can never find the space or time to do so. They begin with good intention but soon stop because of lack of time
This is of course a natural feeling if you are busy, but if you remember that changes in nature tend to occur gradually, yet inevitably, hold on to your sincere intention rather than be discouraged. Even thinking about practice is progress, and will help you to make the most of opportunities which arise. A famous Tai Chi Teacher once said that even one movement practiced with diligence will improve health, so if you only know one technique just repeat it, or even think about it as long as you have time.
Joining a local class and stopping because you have fallen behind the other class members also seems reasonable. Yet all progress in the practice of internal arts is personal, so do not worry about looking bad, just rejoin and enjoy yourself.
Feeling too tired to practice? You just want to relax? The active relaxation of the internal arts will increase energy and fitness. Putting your feet up in front of the TV will reduce muscle tone, and compromise posture.
Tired after practice? Then rest, the internal arts improve sleep quality, if it’s the wrong time for you to sleep, finish your practice with an invigorating rather than calming movement.
Always work within your comfortable limits, you must intend to make progress, but not at the expense of damage to your body as a result of over training.
So remember you have much to gain by practicing the internal arts happily and naturally, it’s as nature intended.
Wu Wei is an ancient and underlying principle of philosophical Daoism. Despite its antiquity, its principle is as valid today as it has continued to be throughout history, I would suggest its advise is even more needed in today’s high speed disposable world.
Here I have translated the term sympathetically in line with the qigong and tai chi student of today. Many more literal versions are available but can be left to those studying Daoism in more depth.
Wu Wei is ‘to do, without doing’ perhaps more easily understood as ‘not against nature´, with a specific inference that following nature rather than fighting against it is a sound approach to a happy life. Let us examine this in a little more detail. In relation to why people often find it difficult to begin or continue to practice the internal arts.
Many people recognise the tremendous and widespread benefits of practising the internal arts, and have a sincere desire to practice. Yet often feel they can never find the space or time to do so. They begin with good intention but soon stop because of lack of time
This is of course a natural feeling if you are busy, but if you remember that changes in nature tend to occur gradually, yet inevitably, hold on to your sincere intention rather than be discouraged. Even thinking about practice is progress, and will help you to make the most of opportunities which arise. A famous Tai Chi Teacher once said that even one movement practiced with diligence will improve health, so if you only know one technique just repeat it, or even think about it as long as you have time.
Joining a local class and stopping because you have fallen behind the other class members also seems reasonable. Yet all progress in the practice of internal arts is personal, so do not worry about looking bad, just rejoin and enjoy yourself.
Feeling too tired to practice? You just want to relax? The active relaxation of the internal arts will increase energy and fitness. Putting your feet up in front of the TV will reduce muscle tone, and compromise posture.
Tired after practice? Then rest, the internal arts improve sleep quality, if it’s the wrong time for you to sleep, finish your practice with an invigorating rather than calming movement.
Always work within your comfortable limits, you must intend to make progress, but not at the expense of damage to your body as a result of over training.
So remember you have much to gain by practicing the internal arts happily and naturally, it’s as nature intended.
Preparation
Remember to take time to prepare
- Stand with feet together, hip or shoulder width apart (Wu Chi posture)
- With the knees relaxed and the body naturally aligned, let your arms hang naturally by your side;
- Take six (6) slow Diaphragmatic breaths (Belly Breath). Hands cradle the lower Dantien (Nuture the Pearl).
- Before beginning., take a few moments to create the feeling of space within your body and your mind,
Instructions
Cloud dragon brings gentle spring rain
Keep the 'Three Energy Centres' aligned.
Drive the power from one leg to the other.
Do not extend knees past toes in any direction..
Incline through the hips and knees in advanced practice.
1 Stand, with hands centre to the body, palms up with right hand over the left.
2. Make a slight movement of the waist, to the right
3 Turning the waist left, keeping palm up, roll the left arm out level with the hip behind you.
4. Circle the arm back and across in front of the shoulder right. Continue past the centre of the body.
4 . Now return to the central position, left hand resting above the right.
Now the other side and repeat 8 times.
Keep the 'Three Energy Centres' aligned.
Drive the power from one leg to the other.
Do not extend knees past toes in any direction..
Incline through the hips and knees in advanced practice.
1 Stand, with hands centre to the body, palms up with right hand over the left.
2. Make a slight movement of the waist, to the right
3 Turning the waist left, keeping palm up, roll the left arm out level with the hip behind you.
4. Circle the arm back and across in front of the shoulder right. Continue past the centre of the body.
4 . Now return to the central position, left hand resting above the right.
Now the other side and repeat 8 times.
From stillness comes movement