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DVDs on Ch'i Kung (QiGong) Page 2
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Right off the bat we start with one of the most famous of all Chi Kungs: The Muscle and Bone Strengthening Classic attributed to Bodhidharma. This is said to strengthen the Five Fu and Six Zang organs and all twelve meridians. We can see from the form of it that there is a distinct flavor of Indian Yoga and this might very well be the most perfectly blended of the two cultural disciplines. We learned this exercise from the Monk Da Chen and can attest to it following the correct and agree upon basic outline of the exercise. |
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 DVD#18082 Health Preserving 6 Character CodePan Shao Zu (Taoist name: Xuan Tongzi) Chinese with English subtitled $15.95 Tao Han Jing of the Liang Dynasty (North and South) gave us the first record of the Six Character Code. Tao was a major figure of the MaoShan group. This exercise is from ancient writings which contend that there is only one way to inhale but six forms of exhalation, that is to say vocalization. Each method is said to enhance certain cures. These famous sonic exercises are demonstrated from a half lotus but can be performed in any manner: standing, reclining or seated on a chair.
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DVD#18083 Eight Sections of Brocade We have to be honest. The Eight Sections of Brocade has not been our favorite Qigong exercise (actually many teachers find it uninspiring). Yes we know that it was first mentioned in the Daoshu ZongMiaoPien. This series has been ascribed to the folk hero Yue Fei (as have variously Xing Yi, Eagle Claw and Liu He Spear). It is considered the Qigong 101 of the entire field and is popular, or at least SAID to be popular all over. Mostly, though, it is a series of eight separate movements which are somewhat keyed to specific organ complexes and is, therefore, the forerunner of the still-questionable "medical" Qigong movement. The nice thing here is that Pan's martial and deeply Taoist background at least give a little salsa to his presentation and this is one of the more interesting and informed versions we have ever seen.
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DVD#18084 Taoist Starting Technique This section is almost the equivalent of a Qigong workout. Take the word "Opening" literally as these simple but powerful exercises are meant to be Qigong that opens the tendons and ligaments of the body. Not every Qigong exercise is completely different from western callisthenics and of all this series these are probably the most like basic stretching and opening. It works with the following DVD.
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 DVD#18085 Taoist Closing Technique If Opening means to stretch tendons then "Closing" is massage and patting. Many good and very simple to execute self massage methods. If you are interested in serious Qigong and/or the Chinese martial arts then we recommend at least some kind of self-massage training. This is like having a parachute when flying. Always good to have around and, after all, it's your body- go ahead and touch away. |
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DVD#18086 Dynamic and Static Chi Kung The new Qigong flood on the market keeps things simple, a little too simple. These superficial sources will inform you that Qigong practice is divided into Stillness (Qing) or Moving (Gong) corresponding to our Static and Dynamic correlations. This is the big problem with trying to force Asian concepts into Western/Christian world view where many things are divided into polarities. In reality the interaction of static and dynamic exist in each and every Qigong, whether it is visible or not. This is a series with static and dynamic intermixed and mutually supporting. Simple martial based movements are entwined with static postures.
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This Health Preserving Method derives from Xin Yi Tai Chi and couples with theories from Chinese Medicine.Some of the features incorporated are the primary concept of Reeling Silk, the "washing" of the meridians, the engagement of the mind, the simplicity of the techniques and the pacing of Qigong. This first level consists of a 28 movement exercise with postures named after famous forms such as Phoenix Spreads Wings. The movements are well constructed but pretty much available to anyone though there will be some rotation of the spine and neck involved. A nice, non-martial method. |
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DVD#18088 Secondary Health Preservation This next level of exercises has at least two distinct differences from the previous. The first change is the requirement of balance which is considerably harder with single leg stances and body turns. The next is the subtle introduction of Taiji based movements such as Fair Lady Works Shuttle. If you think of Qigong as non martial and Taiji as martial this is martial 101
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DVD#18089 Advanced Health Preservation Don't try this one unless you have a Yoga matt and like working on the floor. For the middle aged or senior this will require that you have kept up with at least some exercises and limberness training. Most of the regimen is performed in the Half Lotus for legs stretched out position. Definitely requires much twisting, some strength and some skills |
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Exactly what they sound like, these exercises are geared toward evacuating the bowels and combined rubbing actions and breathing/postural controls to accomplish this.
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The old saying is that the tortoise lives for such a long time because he is constantly stretching his neck. Here are a number of Taoist neck exercises. They rely essentially on circling the head and turning it in different directions. If you have a neck problem care and consideration should be given with these. Also included are a number of self massages, patting and "whisking" motions and the ever popular back pounding.
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This series is said to originated with that prolific and semi-mythical figure, Chang San Feng. These are a series of self-massage and palpations which might be considered the essence of folk remedies. Many are well known such as Beating the Heavenly Drum, and Wash the Teeth with Saliva. This is one of the most complete versions of the series we have seen.
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DVD#18081
DVD#18092