| Feature Article
Hun Yuan Qigong - the Key to Developing
Internal Energy
–
Chief Instructor Brett Wagland
Grandmaster Feng Zhi Qiang (1928- ) is one
of
China’s ten greatest martial arts masters. He is the founder of
the Hun Yuan
Tai Chi system. From his more than sixty years of experience in
Chinese martial and health arts, he emphasises the need to develop
internal energy and, to this end, he recommends the practice of the Hun
Yuan Qigong set.
Qigong is
the term Chinese use to describe practices that stimulate and strengthen
the body’s energy system. We all have qi. It is our life force. It
can be balanced and powerful or out of balance, causing our bodies to
weaken.
Qigong is the essence of Tai Chi and Chinese martial and health arts. The
first stage of Qigong or energy training is the nourishing of yuan qi or
essential energy. Due to life
style, over exhaustion, worry, fear, stress, illness, etc., this energy
supply is gradually weakened. Qigong exercises help to purify,
cultivate and eventually strengthen the body’s energy system.
The main
qigong form that we teach is the Hun Yuan Qigong. It has its roots in
Taoism and was taught to Grandmaster Feng Zhi Qiang (1928- , founder of
the Hun Yuan system) by his teacher Hu Yao Zhen. Hu was a famous
traditional Chinese medical practitioner, a qigong master and an expert
in Xin Yi Chuan (Heart Mind Boxing). Hu became known as the father of
modern qigong in China.
When
Grandmaster Feng met Hu Yao Zhen, he had been training in Shaolin and
Tong Bei Chuan, two very hard style martial art systems. Grandmaster
Feng was able to smash a stack of bricks with his palm and lift a weight
of 300 kilo. He was a very strong man. However, when he attempted to
hit Hu Yao Zhen, his power was useless. He was effortlessly propelled
by what he described as an electric shock. Hu was a gentle looking
man. So where did this power come from?
Hu warned
Grandmaster Feng that he was damaging his body by practising only the
hard style. Hu prescribed qigong training for Grandmaster Feng when he
began studying with Hu.
 The
Hun Yuan Qigong
practice gathers the qi from our surroundings and mixes it with the
body’s qi. It is best to practise in the morning or late at night when
the air is fresh. In the Hun Yuan Qigong, we make a conscious effort to
connect with the environment. If possible, practise in a garden or
amongst the trees and sky. We usually face the sun – not looking
directly at the sun but through the trees. We draw the warmth and
energy of the sun into our bodies. Try to practise for forty minutes.
If you do, you will feel peaceful and happy. A strong flow of qi will
gradually move through your body. You will feel tingling and warmth in
your hands. Eventually, your abdomen will become warm. This is a sign
that the qi is building. By this stage, you will not want to miss your
training.
Continuous practice will lead to feelings of joy and clarity.
It is
important to practise every day. Do one movement for ten minutes if you
are very busy. Grandmaster Feng always says, “You must practise Hun
Yuan Qigong daily. If you have limited time, do the essential movements
or a few of the set.” Cultivating qi is no different from eating. If
you miss a day, you body will feel uncomfortable.
In the
Hun Yuan system of Qigong, we build the qi and refine it to one point at
the body centre (Dan Tian). Then, we watch it move through the body –
from the Dan Tian to the Hui Yin point (the perineum), up the spine to
the crown of the head, then down the front of the body to the Dan Tian.
This is referred to as the Small Heavenly Circuit (Micro Cosmic Orbit).
Accomplishing this is considered a great achievement in Qigong. It
means that the Conception Vessel (Ren Meridian) and Governing Vessel (Du
Meridian) are fully open and connected. One’s qi is able to flow
according to one’s intention throughout the body. Good health and well
being will now prevail.
People, whose internal power is developed,
are very aware of their bodily functions. They can feel much more
than most people. They can even adjust their heart rate and other
bodily functions which are normally beyond our conscious control.
Grandmaster Feng was once challenged by a
Qigong master to a fasting contest. They sat in meditation for
three days and nights without eating anything. Only a little water
was allowed. On the morning of the fourth day, Grandmaster Feng
was seen practising with an iron spear weighing over 19 kilograms, while
his rival could hardly walk. This feat indicates that Grandmaster
Feng’s internal energy is very strong.
Grandmaster Feng attributes his health and his high level of martial
skills to the practice of the Hun Yuan Qigong. A student who is
serious about good health cannot afford to neglect this simple yet
effective set of exercises. As you continue practising, the
sensation of qi will be stronger and you will also feel the various
acupuncture points in your body. Practising this Qigong for
thirty
to forty
minutes daily can dramatically improve your quality of life. Try it
for ten days and experience the difference for yourself!
Qi
cultivation takes patience, persistence and the right effort. If you do
the practice daily with mindfulness, you will get results. A calm mind,
an optimistic attitude, contentment, confidence, and good health are
some of the many rewards.
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