Windflower Tai Chi

09/22/2022

09/01/2022

Or as we like to say, “Opening the Flow.”

07/24/2022

It really is.

06/21/2022

05/11/2022

Mostly healed and prepping to teach a new Qigong class soon. Check your energy!

The key to a long and healthy life is a combination of movement and stillness, cultivating life by guiding the Qi (Life-force Energy) in the body through the practice of Qigong.

qigongisawayofbeing.com

05/07/2022

Animal Symbolism

In China, the Tiger is the king of the beasts. For the Chinese reader, it appears that the character 王 (king) appears on its forehead.

1. Categorized as Yang in relationship to the Dragon (yin) it is the symbol of Shaolin Temple. The Tiger is physical reality (Earthy, born of Water) and the Dragon is Spiritual reality (Heavenly, born of Fire).

2. According to Wu Xing Theory (5 Element) the White Tiger is associated with West and the season of Autumn.

3. The Tiger is the body, specifically the bone*. Chinese medicine classifies external as; skin, muscle, sinew (ligament, tendon, cartilage) bone, hair, and nail.

4. As a means of protection, little boys are traditionally dressed in a tiger head hat and tiger face shoes.

5. Tiger Kung Fu is a grappling style (controlling locks), where specialized training strengthens the fingers. Often the finger nails are sharpened too. Possessing fingers like steel, this hand grabs tightly, while the other hand strikes, ripping out a chunk of flesh. This style relies on 力 Li; muscular strength. It is classified as an external hard style.

6. The Tiger is associated with 心 Xin; the emotional "heart-mind". When the Tiger is afraid, it instinctively displays anger as a means of intimidation.

7. A brave soldier who proves himself in battle fighting courageously is called a Tiger Warrior.

8. As a big cat, the Tiger is graceful, agile, fast, and powerful. It enormous mass combined with its ability to generate speed is used to its advantage. The weightless empty step in Tai Chi Chuan is rendered as "Walk like the Cat".

*Tiger bone is still used in traditional Chinese medicine. This is regrettable due to its endangered status today.

Image:
The Descending Tiger is Yangyang. Young, strong and courageous, this Tiger is a dangerous force to be reckoned with as it leaves its mountain liar and is on the prowl for prey.
The ascending Tiger is Yangyin. Complementing the descending tiger, this is the Yinyang aspect of returning back into seclusion. Experienced, but no longer alpha dominant, this older Tiger looks back at his accomplishments and seeks to take its well earned rest.

04/26/2022

Great to find out in a recent interview that rock n roll survivor Iggy Pop is an aficionado of qigong. With a real Lust for Life.

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR FITNESS REGIMEN.
The root of it is a series of exercises called qigong, which form the basis of tai chi. I learned it from a Korean tai chi master named Don Ahn, who had a place in Soho. You don't need a funny suit. You don't need to go to a gym. You don't build no muscle. It just gives you a good energy, good flexibility and good circulation.

04/03/2022

[Lee answers] Difference between Yin and Yang movements?

About a month ago, a student asked us about Yin and Yang movements.

Here's their question to Lee:

"I'm new to Qi Gong, but I'm learning some movements are more Yin and some are more Yang. There are times I want peace and calm, and other times I need to be energized. Is it possible I can find movements that are Yin to calm me down and movements that are Yang to energize me?"

Lee's answer:

"Absolutely! We can easily break up exercises that are good for Yang and Yin by our day. Usually, we all want more energy in the morning and we all want something to calm us down in the evening. The Yang movements help invigorate your mind and body. They include exercises like Knocking on the Door of Life and Swimming Dragon. Those are great for energizing your energy system, getting Qi moving, and feeling good about the day ahead.

The Yin exercises are all about calming, balancing, and cultivating inner peace. They are the more gentle flows, like Moon Over the Lake or The Fountain. These flows will be deeply relaxing with a lot of focus on synchronizing breathing. These are perfect to do before bed to promote deep sleep."

If you're new to Qi Gong and want help balancing your Yin and Yang energies so you have more energy in the morning and more calm at night, we recommend getting the popular AM/PM Qi Gong Program.

In this program, Lee will teach you simple Qi Gong routines to give you a "lightning flash of vitality" each morning (Yang) and a "relaxing infusion of calm" at night (Yin).

Click here to learn more: https://qigo.ng/qi-workout-am-pm-020722

Talk soon,

The Holden QiGong Team
www.HoldenQiGong.com

P.S. There are also complimentary 20-minute AM/PM routines inside our Video Class Subscription that are different from the routine mentioned above. Subscribers have access to these routines through the Subscription.

Not a Subscriber? Check out our free two-week trial (no credit card required) and get instant access to the AM/PM routines: https://qigo.ng/vcs-trial-020722