Helpful discussion on building immunity in Qigong by Damo Mitchell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5vZrSfVFhU
Ian Sinclair explaining "Taijiquan"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mXHf81oocY
Dragon Qigong for immune system
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KltGvsn0qZI
(please be aware of knee alignment and don't hold your breath-use natural breathing)
Bruce Frantzis- Qigong for Lungs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKRdUe2_SB0
Coach Li-Yang Style 24
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjN0kL_SVJw
(Dear Students- not the way I teach or do the form but a useful reference to the movements in general. Of course most of us will not be dropping down into "snake creeps down" like she does!).
TED talk: How to make STRESS your friend
www.ted.com/talks/kelly_mcgonigal_how_to_make_stress_your_friend/transcript?language=en
https://www.ecosia.org -this search engine plants trees when you use them
Recommended books:
The Way of Energy by Lam Kam Chuen (1991)
Heaven and Earth Qigong by Bruce Frantzis (2020)
The Catalyst by Jonah Berger
Breath by James Nestor
A Comprehensive Guide to Daoist Nei Gong by Damo Mitchell
Decoding the Dao by Tom Bisio
Opening the Energy Gates of the Body by Bruce Frantzis
Heal Yourself with Qigong by Suzanne Friedman
Restoring Your Life Energy by Waysun Liao
The Master Key by Robert Peng
Meridian Massage by Cindy Black
Qigong websites:
http://nqa.org/
http://www.qi-journal.com/index.asp
Qigong Meditations:
http://www.neiyanggong.us/jing-gong.html
Qi Magazine free download:
http://www.qimagazine.com/qimagazine00.html
Comprehensive site about Traditional Chinese Medicine:
http://www.shen-nong.com/eng/front/index.html
Acupressure points: Locations, uses and charts, http://www.yinyanghouse.com/
Taoist Story: " There was a farmer whose horse ran away. That evening the neighbors gathered to commiserate with him since this was such bad luck. He said, "May be". The next day the horse returned, but brought with it six wild horses, and the neighbors came exclaiming at his good fortune. He said, "May be". And then, the following day, his son tried to saddle and ride one of the wild horses, was thrown, and broke his leg.
Again, the neighbors came to offer their sympathy for the misfortune. He said, "May be". The day after that, conscription officers came to the village to seize young men for the army, but because of the broken leg, the farmers son was rejected. When the neighbors came in to say how fortunately everything turned out, he said, "May be". Source: Tao: The Watercourse Way, by Alan Watts
FAQs
Tai Chi Chuan or Taijquan? Chi Kung or Qigong? Chi or Qi?Hsing-I Chuan or Xingyiquan?
These are the same words but are spelled differently because initially Chinese words where romanized according to the Wades-Giles system. In the 1980's the transliteration was switched to the Pinyin system. Today you may see a combination which may vary from author to author. Hence, the confusion.
What is Taijiquan? "Taiji" refers to the duality of the universe depicted by the famous symbol of yin and yang. That symbol is called the Taiji symbol. It's half black with a white dot and half white with a black dot. It symbolizes a dynamic state of interdependence, transformation, and balance. Taiji refers to the primal condition of the universe after it split into two from the primordial Oneness. It is often translated as the "grand ultimate or grand terminus". "Quan" refers to fist or force and martial arts. Taijiquan was originally known as Cotton fist.One story is that the originator of Yang style Taijiquan, Yang Lu Chan, was an unbeaten pugilist who employed the principles of yin and yang. His embodiment of Taiji philosophy in his art gave rise to the name, Taijiquan.
The vast majority of people who practice Taijiquan today do not use it as a martial art. Most practice it as a flowing set of mindful movements which reduce stress, increase well-being and balance.It has a long list of scientifically verified benefits including, increasing grey matter in the brain, helping with diabetes, improving bone density, reducing blood pressure and more..
To study the martial aspects of Taijiquan is becoming a little more popular in America than it once was.To actually
use it effectively in real martial arts contests is rare and would require very intensive mental, physical and energy training for years.
Taijiquan is a masterpiece. Woven within it is Qigong, the physics of effortless movement, a through and gentle exercise system, Meditation, Inner Alchemy and the study of Yin and Yang within oneself as well as with others.
It is deeply influenced by Taoist philosophy, i.e. the philosophy of being natural and harmonizing with Nature.
What is Qigong or Chi Kung? Qi or "chi" basically means energy or life force** and "gong" refers to any skill which is highly developed through dedicated practice. Qigong is a method of building, balancing, and refining your energy and awareness. There are thousands of forms of Qigong which may focus on health, martial power, inner alchemy, spirituality and ethical development or can be a synthesis of these. Qigong often includes still meditation and self-massage/acupressure as well.
Qigong movements are done mindfully with different focuses depending on the goal. Generally, there is regulation of breathing,mind,movement and posture with deeper alignments of energetic structures (dantein's,sinew channels, meridians, energy gates) all done in an integrated fashion.
Most Qigong sets are separate movements which are easy to learn. Taijiquan, in contrast, is a series of linked movements which some find more challenging. There are also some Qigong forms, like Wild Goose Qigong, which have a long series of linked movements.
** Qi meaning life force is very simplistic and limited. To begin a deeper understanding of "Qi", please read this: http://jaybulloch.com/articles/what-is-qi/ and start practicing Qigong or Taijiquan.
Understanding the philosophy of Yin and Yang
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJNEvjwipO0