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Feature Article

Qigong : Harnessing the Dragon Within
 – Chief Instructor Brett Wagland

In Chinese culture, the concept of qi (chi) is well known. It permeates everything from food to art and even the construction of building. Traditional Chinese medicine talks about different kinds of qi, from food, blood, air and from our parents (prenatal or genetic qi). Roughly translated, "qi" means energy. Qi is everywhere; it is life giving. The good news is that it can be cultivated or enhanced . Good food, healthy environment, appropriate exercise, positive mental attitude, etc. will all contribute to developing one's qi.

 wpe489.jpg (4031 bytes)The power of qi is often talked about in Chinese culture. Stories of amazing feats of strength and endurance are usually associated with qi. In Tai Chi circles, there are many accounts of the martial prowess of the founder of the Yang Style, Yang Lu Chan (1799-1872). Yang spent over ten hard years developing his skills, with many hours of arduous daily practice. His ability was such that he could repel the most violent and powerful attacker with a seemingly gentle touch of his hand. Yang Lu Chan's mind and body expressed the Tai Chi adage of being soft as cotton on the outside, and hard as refined steel on the inside. It was said that Yang left no foot print in the snow while he walked to his friend's house. This type of skill is known as Ching Gong. An accomplished practitioner is able to make his body very light, so that he can jump very high and move very quickly with no trace. Unless one has seen people with such abilities or understood the depth of the training, it is easy to scoff at these stories.

On a level which is more applicable to our lives, the practice of Qigong (Chi Kung) will not only help you to relax and focus, but will improve your energy levels. It teaches you to maintain a relaxed mind and body under stress. It allows you to increase your performance levels and maintain an optimum level for longer periods of time. When you experience the above, you will realize how beneficial and useful Qigong can be. With more practice, you will also notice an increase in strength or power. This is naturally a very important aspect in martial arts training. Practitioners who have reached this stage will feel twice as strong as they would normally feel.

The cultivation of qi has been an enduring pursuit for thousands of years in China. It obviously has merit. However, unless you practise regularly, you will find it difficult to fathom. In the Tai Chi classes, you learn the standing, semi-dynamic and dynamic forms of Qigong. Embracing the Tree is a standing or static method of gathering the chi at the body centre. Yin Yang Fish and Play the Yin Yang Ball are semi-dynamic forms of Qigong. As well as cultivating the qi, these two exercises help you to experience the sensation of qi. Tai Chi is dynamic, in the sense that every part of your body is moving and being exercised, but your mind is as calm as if you are in the tranquil state of static Qigong. For this reason, Tai Chi is also known as meditation in motion. With regular practice of all the above, you will discover a great source of internal power.

 wpe486.jpg (4020 bytes)In 1939, a very famous Japanese martial artist Kenichi Sawei (a fifth dan in Judo and ninth dan in Kenpo) challenged Wang Xiang Zhai, master of Yi (intention) Quan (boxing). Wang bounced Sawei off effortlessly, each time they made contact. Sawei reported being knocked down by what he thought was an electric shock. This indicates that Master Wang's internal force was of a very high level. Master Wang's main practice was the standing Qigong. Sawei became Master Wang's student and studied with him for ten years in China before returning to Japan.

In China, the dragon is a mythical creature but it embodies qualities of power, grace and flexibility. It is a creature associated with the intangible and this is the quality of qi. The dragon looks relaxed and effortless, but its power is ready to be unleashed at anytime if necessary. If you would like to strengthen your mind and body, don't under-estimate the power of Qigong. Practise regularly in a natural way and eventually, you will feel the emergence of the dragon within.
 

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