Ba Duan Jin (8 treasures)

This is an ancient method with many variations.  It is one the four oldest and most famous Qigong methods in China. This form dates back to the early 12th century where it evolved as a popular folk healing practice. It was originally developed for monks practicing meditation to address the joint problems they developed after long years of sitting meditation practice.

The routines of this form are designed to build strong bones, increase tendon and joint flexibility, awaken/stimulate the energetic function of our organ-energy systems and helps to heal the seven emotions. This form is often used in the treatment of osteoporosis. In addition to addressing the physical body, when you move your focus from the external to the internal you engage calmness in the body-mind creating an internal harmony that exudes outward. Tendons are related to our Liver organ and Spring is the optimal time to work them.

A standing form consisting of 8 different movements.

Dai Mai

This is a unique form that focuses on the Dai Mai or Belt Channel. This channel circulates around our waist and is the only channel that travels in this direction. Once the Belt Channel is activated, Qi starts to flow freely and expands. The highlight of this form occurs as the Dai Mai’s energy builds and spirals out, forming an energetic cocoon that provides protection from diseases and radiation that constantly bombard us throughout our modern lives and helps to move the Qi down and up the body.

This Qigong medical form helps conditions such as: constipation, low back and hip pain, weight control, fibrocystic breasts, and all gynecological and digestive issues.

A standing form consisting of 6 different movements.

Celestial Pillar

This form helps to strengthen and boost your Zheng Qi (upright Yang Qi). Strong Yang Qi gives you the foundation for a strong and vibrant life. In our fast paced modern society, we drain and consume our Yang Qi on a daily basis. When our Yang Qi begins to diminish, we have the potential to become ill. When all of our Yang Qi is depleted our life ends. The universal Yang Qi is represented by the sun and illuminates the entire universe and generates energy for the earth. This warming of the earth controls and allows for 10,000 things to be born and become activated. The Sun controls the temperature for everything to survive.

In this form we will work on two types of Yang Qi, Shao Yang (Younger Yang) and Tai Yang (Supreme Yang). Shao Yang helps slow down aging, lifts chronic fatigue, supports liver and gallbladder function, harmonizes gynecology functions, supports healthy erections, addresses Parkinson’s symptoms, and stabilizes emotions. Tai Yang helps with osteoporosis, moving qi and blood, reducing edema, cancer prevention, clarification of the mind (Alzheimer’s, and dementia). Celestial Pillar also helps to take off excess weight, burdens, negative emotions, and thought patterns that don’t serve you.

This is a standing form that consists of 6 different movements, with a 7^th repeated in between them.

Great White Crane

With our modern stressful life and exposure to fast paced technology, we tend to hold our breath. This easily creates stagnation and confusion of Qi in the lungs, resulting in a reduction of the lungs capacity and function. Disharmony of the lungs can lead to many problems such as low immunity, allergies, pneumonia, asthma, lungs disease, urination difficulty, issues with bowel movements, and negative emotions.

Is a graceful walking form that works primarily on the lungs. The lungs, through breathing, are the first of the body’s organs to have contact with the universe. The lungs not only take in and distribute the breath to the whole body, they also lie above the other organs and act as their protection. By strengthening the lung energy, this form greatly benefits the symptoms listed above.

This is a short standing form that consists of 7 movements and some chanting.

HuLu Gong

Translated as Squash Qigong, this is a form designed to boost and maintain defensive energy (the immune system) in the body. The oldest Taoist name for qigong is “Bao Qi Ping – conserve the Qi in a bottle.” In ancient China, dried gourds were used as containers for hot water, tea, or hot wine during the winter. Because they retained the taste and temperature of what they held, gourds were also used in Chinese medicine to hold herbs. This vegetable became a metaphor for the body since the gourd’s form and function are similar to the form and function of the human body as it practices qigong. The concept of “Squash Qigong” originated in the Liu family as well as with other Taoists.

In this Qigong form, students also learn to walk on the Ba Gua (eight trigrams), which symbolizes different elements of spirit energy and smooth transitions. The regular practice of this form is beneficial especially during the cold and damp winter months. Practicing Squash Qigong supports your Wei Qi “defensive Qi or immune system” while increasing and maintaining your body’s energy, recharging your vitality, and protecting you from the cold damp winter wind that causes us to catch cold easily.

This is a standing form consisting of 5 movements (the last one is walking the Ba Gua).

Magic Square

Within Taoist Medicine, all diseases and emotional issues are rooted in the abdomen. Scientists have proven that we have more neurons in our “gut brain” than our head brain. By using our abdominal brain, you only use 20% of your energy to do the same “ thinking”. In turn, you store and save more energy for your body, healing, and overall health. The Stomach is the 2^nd brain and it is really more powerful and smarter, then the brain in the head.   The head brain is the consumer and the gut brain is the producer. Learn how to train your second brain (abdomen) for energy saving. Then you can sleep at night peacefully and happily.

This is a standing form consisting of 10 movements for each element of nature.