QIGONG
Qigong (Chi Kung), or Energy(breath) Meditation, has been an important part of Eastern history and culture since ancient times. The history of Qigong can be traced back some 7,000 years to the dance of Yinkong, an early documented dance for arthritis prevention and healing designed to release stagnant energy caused by high humidity in China at that time.
In those days people intuitively knew that feeling bad, being sick or in pain were somehow associated with a lack of movement. An understanding developed that feeling good, being well and reducing pain was connected to certain physical movements and breathing techniques. Stagnation equals illness. Movement creates wellness. Traditionally, people included dance of other forms of physical movement to create changes in the energy (Qi) of their bodies. These changes were experienced as releases of old, blocked energies, stuck physical patterns and emotional feelings followed by a return or enhancement of their health.
As time passed, deeper understanding developed regarding the actual flow of energy through the body. In ancient China the mapping of channels through which energy flowed (Meridians) was accomplished over a long period of time and the laws and principles of how this Qi moved were discovered.
As these insights into the origin, function, purpose and flow of Qi developed, so did the ways of working with energy evolve from simple dance to more specific methods of movement, breathing, and mental concentration. Qigong evolved slowly from nothing but Qi awareness to a series of specific forms (methods and techniques) utilized to cure illness, promote health, develop strength (also in connection to the martial arts) and increase longevity.
The three methods taught by James Fletcher are the 10 Section Brocade, the 18 Movement Taiji Qigong and the 12 Movement Hunyuan Qigong.
with energy evolve from simple dance to more specific methods of movement, breathing, and mental concentration. Qigong evolved slowly from nothing but Qi awareness to a series of specific forms (methods and techniques) utilized to cure illness, promote health, develop strength and increase longevity.
10 SECTION BROCADE
The 10 Brocade is an updated version of the better known 8 Brocade routine, designed primarily to warm up and relax the mind and body before performing any Tai Ji Quan form.
Interesting theories abound about the origin and development of the 10 Section Brocade Qigong. It is likely that ancient dances, military drills and exercises, shamanistic rituals, and Taoist practices were all sources for this specific and formal 10 movement routine of Qi(energy or breath)gong(training or meditation), which were originally known as Dao Yin (breathing and stretching) or Daoqi Yinti (guide the qi and stretch the body) routines. Literature that talks about such health and fitness exercise postures or routines, with some movements quite similar to movements in the Ten Section Brocade, goes back nearly 2,150 years.
The primary function of the 10 Brocade is to synchronise the practitioners movement and breath, with a variety of tempo’s provided by a soundtrack. Each movement is repeated over the course of 8 complete breaths and is executed on both the left and right sides of the body, thus balancing the practitioners movements and mind.
12 MOVEMENT HUNYUAN QIGONG
The 12 Movement Hunyuan Qigong set was developed by Grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang after his years of training with Grandmaster Hu Yaozhen, recognized by many in China as the father of modern Qigong, and Feng’s Chen Family Taiji Grandmaster Chen Fake.
It incorporates all the principles of Qigong with the added emphasis on Hunyuan, or large circular movements. To increase strength in the legs, some postures can be practised in wide, or low stances.
Although it looks simple, mastery of the full set of 12 movements can take some time. The movements correspondance, however, with the Hunyuan 24 Taiji form, make them ideal training partners, and are thus usually taught side by side.
As Grandmaster Feng designed the Hunyuan system to be holistic on every level, this Qigong set can also be utilized for martial purposes, providing the student is adequately prepaired.
18 MOVEMENT TAIJI QIGONG
The 18 Movement Taiji Qigong (also known as Shibashi Taiji Qigong) was created in 1982 in Shanghai by Taiji Master He Weiqi and Qigong Master and healer Lin Hou Sheng. The routine combines elements from the Taiji Yang form and more traditional breathing and movement exercises from Qigong.
The 18 Movements has quickly become very popular across the world and is practised by millions. In fact it is so popular and effective that it is considered to be the national health exercise in Malaysia and Indonesia. Master Weiqi went on to design second and third 18 Movement routines to complement and enrich the original.
As an introduction to the various movements found within all Taiji Quan forms, the 18 Movement set is invaluable, as they allow slow and steady repetitions coinciding to a soundtrack. In terms of difficulty, you could say that the 18 Movements are one step up from the 10 Brocade, and are often taught upon successful completion of this first Qigong set.