Integrative TaiJiQuan & Medical Qi Gong Series. Michael Frost, PhD., ND.

Transcription

1 Integrative TaiJiQuan & Medical Qi Gong Series Michael Frost, PhD., ND.

2 THE THREE LEVELS OF TRAINING There are three grades, or levels of training in Integrative TaiJiQuan. These three basic grades, which enable one to refine all three categories of energy, consist of the division of both Nei-Dan (internal elixir training), and Wai-Dan (external elixir training). These practices help in the process of building an Immortal body (eternal self). The first style is called the Style of Wisdom, or the Earth Style, in which the energy is concentrated in the lower Tan Tien (bio-electric elixir field) below the navel. This style corresponds with the physical and emotional plane. The movements show similarity to the popular Yang Style of TaiJiQuan, which exemplifies the same principles as The Earth Style. This style refines the energy from the food we eat and the air we breathe and transforms it into the physical essence. The Earth Style is suitable to be performed by either the beginner or the long trained practitioner as a means of energy adjustment. This style is appropriate to practice at any stage of one s life. The spring or summer is an especially wonderful time to start doing this practice, which relates to the warmth gathered and radiated from the earth. The second style is called the Style of Harmony, or the Human Style. It is the genuine expression of this principle and also is illustrated by the ancient TaiJiQuan style of the Chen Family System. In this style, the energy corresponds with the mental plane and is concentrated in the middle Tan Tien. This style is suitable to be practiced any time also, but is especially good to learn during the autumn of one s life or during the autumn season. The third style is called the Style of Integration, or the Heaven Style. This style exemplifies the energy concentrated in the general Yang meridian running up the back and neck. This is the ancient Esoteric Style and martial arts training. In this style, the spirit enters the whole constitution of the being. This style accelerates the circulation, bodily secretions and excretions of toxins. It helps the metabolism of people of all ages, especially after middle age. However, this style requires quite a bit of training because it is the most difficult style to learn well. It is preferable that one begins to learn the style at a young age when the body is supple, but if the student is in good health, age should not inhibit the training proficiency if they are serious about the training. Through these styles, or levels, of TaiJiQuan, one can understand the body, mind, and spirit and bring about their reintegration. However, if one does not learn or develop the internal alchemy systems of these forms, they remain merely a superficial shell. Until just one generation ago, internal methods of TaiJiQuan were carefully guarded secrets, the essence of Chinese culture. These secrets were passed down only through family heritage or through esoteric traditions, with much devotion and under strict and precise instruction. This was the only way one could learn and master TaiJiQuan and benefit from these treasures of Chinese culture. TaiJiQuan is the ancient Chinese art of uniting the mind, body, and nature. It unleashes the body s instinctual vitality through beautiful movements designed after the behavior of such

3 animals as the snake, tiger, monkey, praying mantis, and the crane. These movements unblock the channels of energy (meridians) flowing through the body, and release deep, seated tension. TaiJi and Qi Gong also teaches the student to gain control over their attention and internal energy in order that one might becomes aware of the pattern of attention inside another person, thereby becoming an artist of their own life. It enables the student to become aware of the inner mechanisms of their body and to keep the body in balance in order that disease might be prevented. What is Integrative TaiJiQuan? Integrative TaiJi is called K ai-men Tien Tao Tai Ji Quan, which means, THE OPEN DOOR TO HEAVEN S WAY OF HARMONY, THROUGH UNIVERSAL MOVMENT PRINCIPLES. This ancient Taoist movement discipline reunites the individual with the source of life itself, heaven and earth become one. The first stage of Integrative spiritual cultivation is to become aware of the existence of Qi (bioelectric energy). Ordinarily people s nervous systems are not sensitive enough to feel the Qi, within or without. The energy within the human body exists in four stages and is constantly changing from one phase of evolution to another. The four states are: 1. Solid as bone and tissue. 2. Liquid as blood, lymph, etc. 3. Gas as vapor or ether. 4. Electrical occurring in sexuality, and electromagnetic sound waves. All four stages have both healthy and unhealthy manifestations. When all of these stages evolve and harmonize as one integrated and undifferentiated manifestation of energy, the Chinese refer to this as Qi. Qi is invisible, but through the phenomenon of life and death, its coming and going can be observed scientifically as or HZ. Through the practice of TaiJiQuan, an individual can develop their sensitivity to experience and control it within the meridians (or bioelectric system) of the body. The spiritual process is essentially a process of refining one s energy to subtler and subtler states. TaiJiQuan functions as a method by which this refinement can be accomplished so as to actualize the process of spiritualization. 1. The first is the refinement of physical essence, or sexual energy, into mental energy. 2. The second is refinement of mental energy into spiritual energy. 3. The third is the refinement of spiritual energy in order to unite oneself with the Subtle Origin of the Universe, or Infinite Intelligence. This constitutes the development of a highly refined human. TaiJiQuan is a very practical approach to achieving this goal.

4 Integrative TaiJiQuan is a system beyond the form. One of the purposes of this handout is to say more and to break the tradition of silence about the lost art of TaiJiQuan. It is well known that TaiJiQuan is on the upswing, but what few realize is that with each new generation comes the further deterioration of the previously possessed art in detail and essence. The original reason for organizing this information was to help improve a new student s TaiJiQuan practice. Regardless of your experience, this handout will help clarify the instructional organization of the system. Everyone assumes length of time equals expertise. Nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, time in the art is a factor, but there are other equally important factors. The following questions are important for understanding where you stand in relation to your own art. Did your teacher know what they were doing? Did you understand what you were taught? What percentage of the teachings did you comprehend and retain? Did you practice or just run through your material as a student? Did your teacher care about when you were learning? Was your teacher trying to reproduce him/herself? Is your system real? And yes, how many years have you been in the art? You might not be able to find the answers to all these questions, but you must look. The answers to those questions will have an important influence on your level of achievement now, and in the future. THE FIVE CATEGORIES OF TRAINING 1. The Mind Body Relationship concentrates on what the mind is doing and the body is secondary. 2. The Body Mind Relationship concentrates on what the body is doing and the mind is secondary. 3. Endurance Training is very physical and possibly somewhat grueling, highly repetitious, simple, and practical. 4. Structure Training concentrates of general body mechanics (static postures, dynamic tension). 5. Corrective Resilience Training concentrates on more specific details using high repetitions, but not as grueling as endurance training (i.e. proper position of the pelvis, pulling the supporting knee out, slight bowing of the spine). SPECIALIZED PRACTICES Foundations and Fundamentals LEVEL 1 THE WAKE-UP PROCEDURE Body/Mind Relationship and Corrective Resilience Training. Integrative TaiJi Self Massage This wake up procedure consists of twenty-five methods of vital energy massage for activating, rejuvenating, and strengthening the sense organs, teeth, and internal organs. These methods also prepare one for the vivifying influence of vital energy, or

5 Qi. These wake-up procedures belong to the medical school of Qi Gong and were developed to give and maintain the strength of those undergoing Qi Gong therapy. From ancient times to the present, TaiJi masters have been remarkably youthful in appearance, functioning as if they were at least twenty years younger than their actual ages. One source of their vitality has been the practice of Self Massage Rejuvenation, or Integrative TaiJi Self Massage. This practice uses one s internal energy, or Qi, to strengthen and rejuvenate the sense organs. These techniques are about 5,000 years old and until now were closely guarded secrets passed on from one master to a small group of select students. Even so, each master often knew only part of the method. Based on the recent popularity and upsurge of interest in the ancient healing art concepts the Americans Association of Taoist Studies has been able to piece together the entire method and organize the material into a logical and easy to practice method. By practicing the routine ten to fifteen minutes daily, one can enhance his or her health in many areas, including overall complexion, vision, hearing, sinuses, gums, teeth, tongue, and general stamina. LEVEL 2 QI-ROBICS Endurance Training, Structure Training, and Corrective Resilience. Internal aerobic exercises, or natural body sculpting, are designed to add lean body tissue while eliminating fat. Western aerobic exercises and calorie counting diets, in contrast, cause people to lose both lean and fat tissue. Westerners try to counteract this unbalanced condition with resistance exercises like weight lifting which can be costly, time consuming, and dangerous to your musculo-skeletal system and internal organs. Qi-Robics add lean tissue while eliminating fat. Some people become more slender and well toned without actually losing much weight. The exercises work by nourishing the body s fat regulating process. A healthy body keeps fat and lean tissue in proper balance. If our cells do not produce enough energy, these balancing processes become less efficient. Like an un-maintained car, less work will be accomplished with the available energy. Studies show that obese people produce on the average of about 20% less cell energy than normal people. This leaves them less able to regulate fat so that they store more of it and eliminate less. Qi-Robics also teaches one universal movement dynamics, enabling one to develop cat-like suppleness and agility, and if needed explosive power. With regular practice, the body s fat regulative processes become extremely efficient, empowering them with more energy and allowing them to operate as natural fitness regimes. One eventually develops effortless mastery of any physical movement, whether it be sport, work, self-defense, etc. Qi- Robics and its effects are enhanced, of course, by taking care to eat wholesome, balanced meals.

6 Possible benefits of these exercises are: natural slenderness, increased muscle tone, increased flexibility, increased alertness and energy, increased bone mass, decreased craving for sugar, restoration of normal mechanisms of appetite regulation, increased ability of blood sugar level, and increased overall movement mechanics efficiency. LEVEL 3 THE SIX HEALING SOUNDS Body/Mind relationship and Structure Training. Thousands of years ago, the Ancients discovered in their meditations the six healing sounds. The sounds were vibrations at the correct frequencies to keep the organs in their optimum condition by preventing alleviating illness. They discovered that a healthy organ vibrates at a particular frequency. Emotional problems, pollution, dehydration, poor food, injuries, and sudden or overly strenuous exercise can over heat one or more organs and cause illness. The six healing sounds and postures cool and cleanse the vital organs and stimulate the flow of Qi energy to the individual organs, as well as to the whole body. Increased health, strength, and calmness are the results. There are specific positions that can be assumed to help liberate any heat that may be trapped within the cooling sacks surrounding each organ. A specific method has been developed to effectively circulate the heat of overactive organs so that it is eventually distributed throughout the body. The accompanying postures were developed to activate the acupuncture, or energy channels of the organs. Daily practice of the six healing sounds will restore and maintain calmness and good health, more efficient elimination, and improved digestion will occur. Minor ailments, such as colds, flu, and sore throats can be prevented or thrown off easily. Many practitioners of this method of healing overcome their long-standing dependence on sleeping pills, tranquilizers, aspirin, and antacids. Heart attack victims have prevented further attacks. Several psychologists have taught some of their patients to use the Six Healing Sounds to relieve depression, anxiety, or anger. Bodywork, or massage-oriented healers have used the Six healing Sounds to help speed up healing, resulting in the healer spending less of their own life force energy. LEVEL 4 THREE TREASURES Body/Mind Relationship, Structure Training, and Corrective Resilience Training. This highly fluid exercise synchronizes body, breath, and mind while balancing both yin and yang energies throughout the body s systems. It is one of the best breathing exercises in the entire Integrative Medical Qi Gong system. Most breathing exercises concentrate energy in three elixir fields or Tan Tiens, and the microcosmic orbit which connects them. Three Treasures does the same thing, and sends energy coursing throughout the channels of the macrocosmic orbit (which includes the legs, arms, and all the internal organs) giving the entire system a complete Qi workout.

7 Three Treasures balances the various polar aspects of yin and yang, the upper and lower, left and right, inner and outer, hot and cold, etc. It clears obstructions in the energy channels and thereby produces an equitable energy distribution. It also opens up the rib cage and expands the chest cavity, which benefits all breathing exercises. It is a powerful exercise for assimilating Qi from the atmosphere. In winter this series is a great way to warm up the organs, muscles, and energy systems in even the coldest weather. Three Treasures harmonizes body, breath, and mind and coordinates the movements of limbs with the rhythms of breath. To receive the most benefit: stay natural, round, and soft. That means breathing should be as natural as possible, not forced. The joints and muscles should be kept as loose and soft as possible. And the arms must inscribe a wide, round arc. LEVEL 5 TALL QI GONG Body mind Relationship, Endurance Training, and Corrective Resilience Training. This set of exercises is combined with the previously learned Three Treasures and is an excellent warm-up. This set systematically exercises the spine and aids in the circulation of Qi to balance all major energy centers and internal organs in the body. It will also strengthen abdominal muscles and the lower back. These practices strengthen the nervous system so that one s behavior is constant and direct. It is an excellent set for strengthening the digestive system. These exercises are from the Medical Qi Gong Internal Method and will nourish, and awaken Qi in a short period of time. With the use of mental control, muscular force, and respiratory techniques, one achieves the same results that would take much longer with inactive forms of meditation. This is an excellent preparation for beginners to flow with ease into the deep meditative practices. The positive effects on health will be noticed almost immediately and are long term. In general, Medical Qi Gong exercises, which are part of our Integrative TaiJi Foundation Practice, prepares one for the circulation of Qi through the microcosmic and macrocosmic orbit circuitry (meridian system). Many illnesses related to gastrointestinal problems will begin to lessen as blood and Qi clean out the impurities. Increased efficiency in digestion and elimination will be the natural result as the internal organs are strengthened and are rejuvenated. This series of exercises also purifies the blood and expands the lung capacity, which stimulates the circulatory system. The thyroid and parathyroid secretions are added to the increased circulation, and the upper magnetic field of the body is enlarged. These exercises awaken the Qi that can be used to strengthen the body, still the mind, and gain awareness.