The Eight strands of the silk brocade is one of the first Qigong sets I learned, almost 40 years ago, also known as the eight fine treasures the Ba Duan Jin is one of the most widely practiced sets of Qigong, as it is included in most kung fu and Tai Chi classes. There are many different versions of this Qigong set, without thinking I know at least 5, varying in intensity and complexity from simple and easy, ideal for entry level inactive people, to vigorous and demanding. It is not just the physical aspect that demands more, there is also an increased demand on the mind and breath as befits a more advanced form. The video below is comparatively simple, Keith is not using the horse stance to rise and fall with the movements, the shots are taken to emphasise the breathing. As always use the 70% rule and stay within your comfort zone. This series was filmed during a public display in the Millennium Forum, Norwich,as part of a National health promotion day.
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So here we have the new series of Coffee break Qigong, in response to those many requests for short follow along pieces. Part 1 was first published on Gloria's site, Part 2 is below. let us know how you like it. subscribe, like or share on your favourite social media outlet. Correct practise of Qigong can produce many benefits, but what level of practice is right for you? There are many versions of standard Qigong sets like the Baduanjin or Eight strands of the silk brocade. In our classes we start with basic versions and then teach you how to modify the movement to get the best results. Different hand positions, deferent breathing cycle, different focus or a more difficult or easy version of the same drill. Which is right for you? We have to see you to say, and it should change when you are below par or in better health. The version shown below is one way to perform Draw Bow, there are others. Beginning with Zhang Sanfeng, traditionally credited as the founding father of Tai Chi Chuan, we follow the most common theory of the development of Tai Chi Chuan. through the Chen family to Yang Lu Chan founder of the Yang system and teacher ( along with his son Yang Ben Hou) of the Imperial Banner Men Wu Quan Yu and his son Wu Jianquan the founders of Wu style. Wu Jianquan's son in law Ma Yueh Liang is featured showing an elderly Ma Y L still moving quickly, but showing the typically higher stances and compact movements of main stream Wu style From there we move to a clip of some long form practice by students of the Cheng Wing Kwong academy. Cheng Wing Kwong was Cheng Tin-Hung's Uncle and first Tai Chi Chuan teacher. CTH later had another teacher, but I am not aware of any photographic evidence of him. We then see various films of Cheng tin-Hung at relatively young ages demonstrating various applications, or form. Then some rather fuzzy clips of an elderly CTH, to a dated TV demo featuring Dan Dochety,(incidentally CTH's son in law) former S.E.Asia heavy weight full contact champion, and head of Practical Tai Chi Chuan International, and all round promoter of Tai Chi in Europe. I read in an old magazine that CTH was apparently regarded as the head of Wu Style for a short period, but declining to be associated with a particular style, referred to his style as Wu Dang after the mountain range where Zhang sanding lived. DD was my teacher of Cheng Tin-Hung lineage WuDang Tai Chi Chuan, also known as Practical Tai Chi Chuan, and so we end with a clip of myself filmed for the Golden Rooster School. Regards Keith R. Visit www goldenroosterschool.com for more information If for some reason known only to internet gods, you can not see the play list, please click this link: View playlist
Allow around an hour and a half to see the whole thing if you click play all, or watch it bit by bit, much easier and you can practice in between. Ok its old footage and the sound isn't good, but the points are still valid. So for all of you who have asked here it is , at least until we produce a better version. Enjoy it, study, and practice. Oh yes you can like the video on your favourite social media as well. Good practice! In our classes we aim for the benefits of smiling and laughter, as well as our Qigong and Tai Chi. An icy wind has dropped the temperature and Gloria and I are wrapped up, feeling winter has arrived, In last nights class we enjoyed our practice in the lovely space of the Manor rooms, Trowse, which I am pleased to say were warm. After practice we made sure to wrap up against the cold, refuel with some hearty homemade food, and relax, an essential part of looking after our health, when the weather changes. Scientific studies consistently show that the regular practice of ancient Chinese martial and healing arts of Tai Chi Chuan and Qigong can strengthens the immune system and reduces the incidence of ailments such as colds and flu. Just as smiling and vigorous laughter immediately raises the level of our energy, strengthens the immune response and lightens our outlook on life, the regular practice of qigong increase the sense of well-being, raises physical and mental energy and enhances overall health. In our classes we aim for the benefits of smiling and laughter, as well as our Qigong and Tai Chi, surely a recipe for winter health. In our classes we often see people ’getting’ the idea of Tai Chi or Qigong for the first time, its very rewarding. Tai Chi is a deep practice and it can be easy for new students to lose their way in the beginning. Here are some pointers for beginners. Listen to your teacher to learn the fundamental concepts. When explaining what certain movements are for, we aim to provide a balance between traditional concepts (The Yi leading the Qi, Zhong Ding or central equilibrium, and silk reeling energy) and very tangible benefits (developing balance, improving posture, boosting circulation) These concepts and benefits are given to develop your understanding and help you remember the lessons. Practice the concepts In Square form, we work on alignment and control, learning to separate weight, open and close hips and shoulders in unison, learning to turn the feet to the best angle for the next move. In Round form, aim for slow flowing movements, with good alignment, weight separation and focus. Make your postures large and relaxed, yet find the expansion and contraction, the spirals and circles. Deepen your understanding Make your practice deeper, by developing your ability to see the subtle nuances, watch others to identify good practice principles. Control your action and composure to reproduce them in your practice. Take your time. Tai Chi is a life long process and every step along the way is enjoyable. It's better to deeply know a couple of postures from the form and train them several times a day than to superficially know a whole form. You will have a much more satisfying experience from the deeper practice. 'As teachers we can open the door, and point the way, but you have to make the journey.' First class of the new term at Hindolveston today, and as always it is a pleasure to catch up with friends we haven't seen for a month, and of course new faces. in my case its my first full class back since breaking both legs in June, and first day out without the reassurance of a walking stick (unless you count a spear) and despite being a bit wobbly on deep single weighted stances, it was good for me. Another nice thing was to see the progress many people have made in the time I was off, There was evidently a lot of time spent on form with Gloria, and despite having a month off I could see the difference. Its a funny thing but when it was my job to supervise all of the NAES Tai Chi and Yoga classes, I got used to seeing a lot of the same faces, in different classes, always looking for the same thing, never finding it, perhaps it was because they were always looking to their teachers to give it to them instead of finding it in their practice? ' always looking for the same thing, never finding it,' Today at our first class of the new term, we took things gently, Standing pole Qigong and Short Tai Chi hand form, its nice when you see people getting something worthwhile from their practice, discovering something new, perhaps about Tai Chi, or perhaps about themselves. As teachers we can open the door, and point the way, but you have to make the journey. In our Tai Chi and Qigong classes we perform most, but not all of our meditation in standing postures, either through 'Standing pole' techniques or with the movements of a form. In both instances we are focussing upon 'Inward looking', the concept of controlling the mind by deep observation of the posture and body. For many beginners, it is enough to simply ask them to focus upon 'Following the breath' simply observing and counting the respiration, when the mind wanders, and you realise it has, just return to counting again from the beginning, no fuss, just start again. If you need convincing that this method works, or just feel like some inspiration, here is a news clip from some enthusiastic colonials that may help Enjoy your weekend. Keith and Gloria. Thanks to Bill Douglas of World Tai Chi Day. Whether you practice for Martial arts or health, as Nei Jia (Internal School) practitioners today, we are in many ways treading in the footsteps of our ancestral forefathers. When we practice the long hand form we are making the very same steps Wu Quan Yu (1834 – 1902) and Wu Jian Quan (1870 – 1942) made in their practice. Indeed they were replicating the same steps that their teachers Yang Lu Chan and Yang Ban Hou taught to the Imperial guards. Keith & Gloria lead a class in Qigong at the University Hospital of Coimbra The Qigong forms go back even further, some authorities suggest as much as three thousand years, others that it predates written records. The reason these practices have continued through out the millennia is that they are effective, Martial arts are pragmatic, there is no room for something that does not work. As a pre requisite to any martial practice the establishment of a strong healthy and flexible body is an essential requirement. That is why even today, so many tread the path and follow the way, the goals may be different but the steps are the same. Below are some tips to help you progress a little each day.
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