Taichi Qigong
Attain stillness in motion
Attain motion in stillness
— Taichi Proverb
Body
The foundation of qigong practice begins with gentle and easy to learn movements which help to open the tissues, nourish the joints, and improve balance & whole-body coordination.
Breath
Integral to all of the qigong practices are the oscillating motions of breathing and the subtle vibrations of our bio-electric bodies. Through our 'vital' breathing we connect into all of the pulsing rhythms of our body-mind.
Mind
Mind emerges from Life and expands to the ends of our horizon. Taichi Qigong engages and infuses this spectrum of mind into every element of our practice, unifying body, breath, and mind into one fluid whole.
The practice of Qigong cultivates
Vitality, Tranquility & Stability
of Body, Breath & Mind
— in Movement & Stillness.
This is accomplished through a dynamic synthesis of Physical, Breathing & Mental practices,
guided by methods Ancient & Modern.
Taichi Qigong
Level One:
Foundations Program
Lessons I thru III Foundation Set
Level I Standing Qigong Practice
Dynamic Warm-Up Set
Practice Sets
Simple Practices = Profound Results
*Currently, only the Optimal Breathing Program is available*
Level I: Foundation Program
Taichi Qigong Foundation Set
The foundation of the entire Taichi Qigong Program centers around the Taichi Qigong Foundation Set, a collection of twelve gentle and repetitive movements coordinated with slow breathing, drawn from the taijiquan long-form.
Level I covers the entire set with (3) classes (25 mins each), focusing on first learning the movements, coordinating our breathing, understanding the basic elements of whole-body connection, and feeling the different "energies/intentions" of each movement.
Level I: Foundation Program
Taichi Qigong Stationary Training
The Taichi Qigong Stationary Training, also known as zhàn zhuang 'post training', is an excellent means for cultivating "inner power", as well as inner stillness and deep relaxation. For as the Taichi Proverb states: "Attain motion in stillness. Attain stillness in motion." And nothing helps you attain "motion in stillness" like standing still.
The Foundations Program covers the first set of postures, known as "Holding the Circle of Strength", commonly known as "Embracing the Moon".
Level I: Foundation Program
Qigong Warm-Up Set
The Taichi Qigong Warm-Up Set is a unique collection of range-of-motion exercises gathered from numerous martial artists over the years, organized into a continuously flowing set of movements that warms-up and mobilizes all of the joints.
Designed to prepare you for any physical activity, it can be practiced quickly, so as to also energize the nervous system. And it can also be practiced slowly and gently, such as on a recovery day, as a warm-up for other qigong practices, or just as a qigong set on its own. Both energizing and calming practice versions will be presented.
These dynamic motions help develop whole-body motion and coordination, while also conditioning the muscles, joints, and connective-tissues.
In motion the whole body should be light and agile, with all parts of the body linked as if threaded together.
Taijiquan Jing 太極拳
'The Taijiquan Classics'
Taichi Qigong Level I
Program Overview
This Taichi Qigong Program is structured, first and foremost, for online learning. A competent student can achieve profound health benefits and a high level of mind-body skill through the simple practices in this program.
All lessons are movement based, with minimal theory used only to explain how to safely and effectively perform each movement. Also included are practice sessions for each lesson to use daily, along with reference videos for every movement, so that you can easily review the specifics of each one.
n.b. It is not necessary to purchase the Optimal Breathing Program to begin the Taichi Qigong Foundations Program, as some basics of breathing will be covered; but it is highly recommended, as the two program profoundly compliment each other.
Breath-Spine-Core is a Modern Approach to Taiji Qigong & Breath Training,
rooted in
Cognitive & Movement Sciences,
based on
Naturalistic Principles & Systems Theory
Taichi Qigong Level II
Program Overview
Taichi Qigong Level II Naturalistic Neigong Program offers a traditional and scientific-based Medical & Movement Qigong System developed for a lifetime of learning and practice.
The practices and definitions of Meditation & Neigong 内功 (inner power) are quite varied, and this program takes a naturalistic and scientific approach to these truly unique and profound mind-body technologies.
The Naturalistic Neigong Program layers and grounds these advanced practices-concepts into all of the Taichi Qigong practices learned thus far, while also presenting more advanced and vigorous movements.
Level II is deeply interwoven with the Optimal Breathing Program, especially the more advanced techniques of Core Breathing & Taichi Spinal Breathing. Therefore, completion of the entire Optimal Breathing Program is a prerequisite for Taichi Qigong Level II.
Breath-Spine-Core Training Pyramid
Following the traditional training formula of Jing - Qi- Shen, or Physical - Subtle - Luminous, the Naturalistic Neigong approach layers this formula into a method known by many names throughout history, but which I humbly call
"The Way of Inner Cultivation"
Level II 'Naturalistic Neigong'
Jing 精 Physical
Subject and lesson descriptions coming soon.
Level II 'Naturalistic Neigong'
Qi 氣 Subtle
Subject and lesson descriptions coming soon.
Level II 'Naturalistic Neigong'
Shen 神 Luminous
Subject and lesson descriptions coming soon.
“All motions in life are related through fluid dynamics; thus, so are my pleasures, practices, and training.”
Clay Germano
BREATH-SPINE-CORE