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The Beginner's Guide To Tai CH Qigong PDF
The Beginner's Guide To Tai CH Qigong PDF
Relieve Stress and Develop Chi in Just 20 Minutes a Day with the 'Chi' Secrets to Tai Chi and Qigong!
Go Chi i
Tai Chi Qigong
Some benefits of Go Chi i
* * * * * * * * Enables you to practise on your own Assists control of Weight gain/loss Reduces Stress Improves Concentration and Intuitive Abilities Improves overall Health Increases Energy, Agility and Flexibility Loosens and Strengthen Joints and Muscles Helps balance the emotions
Boz Odusanya
CAUTION
The techniques, ideas and suggestions in this e-book are not intended as a substitute for proper medical advice. Any applications of the techniques, ideas and suggestions in this e-book are at the readers sole discretion and risk.
Copyright 2010 Acu Media Books PDF Book Version - All Rights Reserved No Part of this publication may be used or produced without written premission from Amhed Odusanya (the Author)
Please note....
This e-book is best used as a study aid with the Online Tai Chi course or my workshops. However, it can also be used independently as a brief introductory guide to Go Chi-i. For information of the Online Tai Chi Course please visit: www.taichi-tuition.com/taichi
Contents
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 . 6 . 7 The Body Posture Shapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 . 9 . 10 . 11 The Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 The distribution of weight under the foot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Alignments of the Knee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 The Three Stages of Floating & Releasing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 . 16 Start of Go Chi - i . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 1. Beginning step and regulating breathing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 2. Opening the chest . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 3. Dancing with the rainbow . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 4. Separating the clouds with swinging arms . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 5. Step back and repulse monkey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 6. Rowing the boat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 7. Supporting a ball in front of the shoulder . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 8. Turning the body to gaze at the moon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 9. Turning waist & pushing palm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 10. Wave hands like clouds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Completion of the 10 exercises of Tai Chi Qigong . . . . . . . . 28 Chart of 10 movements . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Please read the following carefully in order to maximize the benefits of this qigong
Please read first the sections on: 1) The Body Posture Shapes 2) The Centre 3) Even weight distribution 4) Alignment of the knee 5) Floating and Releasing
Now you have read the above articles, start learning and practising the Go Chi i (Tai Chi Qi Gong) WHERE TO PRACTISE: This type of qigong can be practised indoors and outdoors. A quiet and peaceful environment should be chosen with good air circulation. Avoid practising outside at times of severe weather such as thunderstorms or days with high smog alerts and strong winds. BREATHING: We will be doing a variety of three types of breathing throughout these qigong exercises: 1) Natural breathing 2) Buddhist breathing (abdominal) 3) Taoist breathing (abdominal)
Please read the following carefully in order to maximize the benefits of this qigong
The best breathing to use with all these exercises is the natural breathing which is your normal cycle of breathing. You inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth, however, if you have a cold or blocked nose, breathe through the mouth as the breathing must always feel comfortable for you. Never strain the breathing by breathing in or out too much or holding the breath. If you force the breathing it will cause your chest to hurt, make you dizzy and make the exercises feel unpleasant. Over time the breathing will naturally extend its duration in length. Abdominal breathing is breathing using your diaphragm. CAUTION: Both the Buddhist and Taoist breathing are advanced techniques and should not be attempted unless supervised by a competent instructor. Abdominal breathing (Buddhist) is the movement of your diaphragm which will expand your lower abdomen during the inhale and deflate your lower abdomen during the exhale. The Taoist way is the reverse technique: the movement of your diaphragm which will expand your upper abdomen during the inhale and deflate your upper abdomen during the exhale. MENTAL ATTITUDE: Come to the session with a positive attitude. Before you begin the session try to close the mind down, as if going to sleep. This is to help you feel relaxed and with a calm mind. When practising the qigong use concentration on making the movement smooth and continuous, listening to the sensations produced by the movements, such as joint alignment, and pressures created in and around the body. However, over-concentration can lead to headaches. Remember you are in control of your own development within the practice. Remember the 70% rule. This is that you only put 70% of your overall physical exertion into the training. This is because if you physically exert yourself to the maximum your muscles will become tensed (contracted), you will distort the alignments of the body and also reduce efficient blood flow circulating around the body. Also, the required sensations produced from the qigong will be masked with the tension of the body.
Please read the following carefully in order to maximize the benefits of this qigong
DISCOMFORT AND PAIN: At first you might feel a bit of discomfort when doing the exercises if you are not used to exercising. However if the discomfort is too much then build up the exercises slowly (such as 3-4 repetitions, or shorten the practice session). A session lasts for approx 10 -25 minutes. If you feel pain while doing any of the exercises STOP doing it. The exercises are very gentle and should not produce any pain. THINK: are you overdoing the exercise; such as wrong alignment of posture/joint, over stretching, over breathing, tensing the muscles too much? GETTING STARTED: This qigong is very effective and easy to learn. Practise each exercise in succession; add a new exercise at least every 2-3 sessions. Over time you will refine the exercises and feel and understand them more clearly. You can repeat the amount of repetitions of each exercise as much as you want, time permitting. If you are able to practise on a daily basis or every other day you will see good results over time. If you are a busy person, then try and fit some of the qigong in whenever you can. When practised regularly, most people will be able to do the exercises with a basic understanding of all 10 movements within three weeks. You should start to see some results if you practice this qigong exercise on a daily basis for three months. After finishing a session you should feel relaxed and ready to take on the day.
When one of the sides is in this position we call it the Half Upright. Therefore a half upright can be joined on the other side of the body with the Bow, Canoe, How etc.
B A
G - When the pelvis rotates under fully the spine is opened (Therefore the back over time appears straight from the neck to the sacrum). When the pelvis rotates the knees will bend slightly forward (remember do not let the knees go beyond the toes). When the pelvis is rotated under, you should feel an increase of weight felt under the feet evenly distributed.
Please note: These posture alignments are guidelines for the beginner. In some parts of the Tai chi and Qigong the alignment appear not to be adhered to, this is because later in ones development the alignment works clearly and effectively in the background, so therefore the body starts to work with the stretches of the muscles (like a suspension bridge).
All Illustrations and text on page Copyright 2010 Acu Media Books
fig 1
Half Bow
All movement is around the vertical central line (usually spirals). Never stray too far from centre line. (This is to maximise the intensity of the deep sensations of the body).
When one of the sides is in this position we call it the Half Bow. Therefore a half bow can be joined on the other side of the body with the Canoe, How, Upright etc.
The outside of each foot is parallel with each other . Looking from above feet appear to be turned inwards.
Legs never straighten completely, always a slight bend. Knees slight outward deviation. Knees should never extend beyond toes
Centre line
fig 2
The arms are no higher than the shoulder height of the body (fig 1), the arms always have a slight bend at the elbows. Ideally, both of the hands should be at the same height. The bow seen from above looks like the shape of a bow (fig 2).
centre line
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fig 3
Half Canoe
centre-line
When one of the sides is in this position we call it the Half Canoe. Therefore a half canoe can be joined on the other side of the body with the Bow, How, Upright etc.
cen
treli
ne
tre-
line
10
Half How
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The Yi (mind) initiates the centre to move first in all movements of Tai chi or Tai chi Qigong. The centre is the hips and waist (within that region).
Skeletal region
ANALOGY: A length of wood with a mark in the centre, move the wood in any direction from the centre - the wood will move as a complete unit. Now - Imagine the piece of wood is a piece of flexible rubber, when the centre is moved the rest of the rubber will move, however it will have a bit of a time lapse, because the rubber will stretch and distort. This is how we want the human body to move, so that it can produce waves going through the body. REMEMBER the main component to assist waves in the body is the Centre initiating all movement.
Body region
The intermediate level of Tai chi is when the person is able to make the centre the initiator of all movements in Tai chi (up; down; left; right; sidewards; twisting etc. In any three dimensional situation)
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Feet flat on ground - Both feet (the pads under the foot) are flat on the ground, try to feel for the pads under the foot (fig. 2)
fig. 2
In practice of any Tai Chi/Qigong, always look for the foot to have even contact under the foot. This takes a focused concentration on the practitioner. This develops the mind to be able to identify (become sensitive) to the small changes of the muscles and alignments of the skeletal bones. Constant practice of this method will influence the mind to move to the foot before a muscular/skeletal movement has been initiated.
13
When the knees and feet are in the correct alignment, this will nullify the forces exerted on the body. Therefore, the forces transfer safely through the bones and are routed into the ground. If the alignments are accurate and precise, the practitioner will start to become aware of pressure building slowly under the feet, and then around the waist. Shortly afterwards an awareness of the muscles (stretching) in the lower body will become clearly felt.
outward intent with the knees. Feet are flat on the ground. ? ? Knees never go beyond the toes (fig b). However, the knees are correct as long as the knees do not lock. Therefore, if there is a little bend in the knees this is allowable when practitioner is on level two (Intermediate).
USEFUL TIP: When doing a movement such as swing arms, Touching the rainbow etc Image that your feet above to the knees is set in concrete. Therefore the knees do not move. HOWEVER .. The knees can move slightly, do not lock the knees.
(either on one side or both in the upright posture) (fig c) the feet are also incorrect when slanted too far inwards. weight on uneven parts of the foot, for example, on the side of the foot, or on the heel.
c
Knees are locked straight Knees extend too far over the toes
? Knees are incorrect when they go beyond the toes (fig e), the knees are also incorrect when
they are lock and the legs are straight (fig f). - - - It is wise to practice daily - - 14
The three stages of floating & releasing within the Tai Chi
(Beginners Stage)
These are the fundamental instructions for developing the internal forces within the body. We can call these the 1 - 2 - 3 stages (There are 5 stages in total, but to avoid confusion it is better initially to get a concrete understanding of the first three stages). The three stages are: Stage 1: Body floats - The lower body pushes into the upper body, the upper body floats. Inhalation of the breath initiates the beginning of stage one. Stage 2: Releasing of the lower body. The lower body separates from the upper body. Let gravity allow the lower body to drop. Exhalation of breath accompanies stage 2. (Remember NOT to force and elongate the breath) Stage 3: Releasing of the upper body onto the lower body, gravity assists. This completes the full compression of the body. Usually at this point the breath goes into natural breathing, which means forget about the breathing and breath normally. (Do NOT hold the breath at any time). The three stages are used within all exercises, Qigong, Tai chi form, Pushing hands etc. CENTRE CENTRE A LINE LINE
A. Body upright (like head being suspended from a string above):
STAGE 3
UPPER
Breathe OUT for as long as is comfortable STAGE 2: Release and sink LOWER body down. Pelvis rotates under - with knees slightly bent
Pelvis rotate
STAGE 2
LOWER
Continue by breathing NORMALLY STAGE 3: Release and sink UPPER body down on top of LOWER body, Release shoulders - chest etc. Normal breathing, remain in this position for a while - Body in a fully compressed state.
The outside of each foot is parallel with each other . Looking from above the feet appear to be turned inwards.
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The three stages of floating & releasing within the Tai Chi
B. Breathe IN for as long as is comfortable STAGE 1: Raise/push the LOWER body upwards, into the UPPER body (upper body does not move) Raise (float) the UPPER body - (feel as though you are floating upwards).
Hints: When practicing, build up slowly from 1 minute up to 5 minutes. Do not force the breathing - always be gentle and non forceful on the breath. The exercise should not feel too strained - it is to feel relaxed, however, at the same time putting effort into: a) turning the pelvis, aligning knees outwards with the foot so that the knees are not collapsing inwards: b) the compressing of the upper body on the lower body, c) feeling the upper body float. This exercise can be done while waiting at the bus stop, waiting in queues etc
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STAGE ONE
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Go Chi i
Tai Chi Qigong
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(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(A) Raise arms to shoulder height: breathing IN raise body draw arms up to shoulder height and width (i) (ii) (iii) palms face down remember sequence - shoulders, elbows then wrists
(B) Return arms to sides: breathing OUT sink body down with knees slightly bent drop shoulders, elbows then wrists (iii) (ii) (i) palms face downwards
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(i)
(A) Raise hands to shoulder height: breathing IN raise body draw hands up to shoulder height and width (make the BOW shape posture (i) (ii) palms face down. remember sequence - shoulders, elbows then wrists
Arms lower than shoulder height
(ii)
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Raise arms : fig (i) breathing IN raise body draw arms straight up fully extended palms facing upwards
HIP
rotate hips as much as comfortable. REMEMBER.. to keep the alignment.
Turn to left: fig (ii) Breathing OUT transfer body weight to right leg keep knees slightly bent extend left arm out to left side at shoulder height left palm up turn head to left eyes focus on extended left palm rotate waist (hip) horizontally curve right arm over head right palm faces down above center of head return to NORMAL breathing Turn to right, and do same movements as the left side.
(ii)
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(i)
(ii)
(iii)
Cross hands: fig (ii) turn palms so that they face up fingers facing front cross hands right over left at wrist Raise palms: breathing IN raise body slightly raise the arms until palms at chest level Turn palms: fig (iii) keep wrists crossed turn palms to face downwards raise arms above head Separate hands: fig (i) breathing OUT draw hands apart
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(ii)
Palms down Turn waist and breathing OUT moving weight onto right leg.
Left arm to make shape ('How' Red Indian's salute) fig (iii) Pull right arm back Left arm goes to the front. fig (iv)
(iii)
(iv)
Reverse routine to go on other side. draw hands apart arms fully extended up and out keep elbows slightly bent keep shoulders relaxed
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22
breathing OUT Arms drop while hands open. fig (iv) raise the arms until palms at chest level
(iv)
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23
Turn left: turn body from waist toward left breathing IN extend right arm up until shoulder height right palm face up raise the right heel Lower heels: lower heels to floor breathing OUT turn right palm downwards sink body down with knees slightly bent turn body from waist back to center draw right arm down to thigh
Turn right: turn body from waist toward right breathing IN extend left arm up until shoulder height left palm faces up raise the left heel. Lower heel: lower heel to floor breathing OUT turn left palm downwards sink body down with knees slightly bent turn body from waist back to center draw left arm down to thigh
Repeat 6 times
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24
Turn left: breathing IN raise body slightly turn body from waist towards the left fully extend both arms up and toward left keep elbows slightly bent relax shoulders, elbows and wrists turn head to look at left palm Face front from left: breathing OUT turn body from waist back to center sink body down with knees slightly bent draw arms down and front in line with thigh palms facing each other hip width apart
Turn right: breathing IN raise body slightly turn body from waist towards the right fully extend both arms up and toward right keep elbows slightly bent relax shoulders, elbows and wrists turn head to look at right palm Face front from right: breathing OUT turn body from waist back to center sink body down with knees slightly bent draw arms down and front in line with thigh palms facing each other hip width apart
Periarthritis - inflammation of tissues around a joint. Hyperosteogeny - excessive bone ddevelopment. Tracheitis - is a bacterial infection of the windpipe (trachea).
Repeat 6 times
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Repeat 6 times
Draw palms to the waist, making loose fists, facing upwards Push to left: turn right palm facing forwards turn body from waist toward left breathing OUT push right hand to left at 45 degree and up to chest level Return to center: turn right palm making into a fist, facing upwards turn body from waist back to center breathing IN draw right fist to waist at right side
Push to right: turn left palm facing forwards turn body from waist toward right breathing OUT push left hand to right at 45 degree and up to chest level Return to center: turn left palm making into a fist, facing upwards turn body from waist back to center breathing IN draw left fist to waist at left side
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Repeat 6 times
Raise left arm to chest level, palm facing body Drop right hand to waist level, palm facing body Turn to left: turn body from waist toward left breathing IN allow arms to follow turn Switch positions of your arms: raise right arm to chest level, palm facing body drop left hand to waist level, palm facing body keep elbows slightly curved
Turn to right: breathing OUT turn body from waist toward right allow arms to turn with waist Switch positions of your arms: raise left arm to chest level, palm facing body drop right hand to waist level, palm facing body turn to left again
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At this time stand upright and take a deep in breath while lifting the hands up to shoulder level, when breathing out let the arms/hands return to the side. Repeat 6 times. After the 6 times stand still for approximately 4 - 10 minutes listening for any bodily sensations produced by the exercises.
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The basics of releasing & floating within the Taiji (Beginning Stage)
(i)
UPPER
Pelvis rotate
LOWER
feet shoulder width apart
(i)
(iii)
(i)
(iii)
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Please visit www.tai-chi-world.com to purchase the complete Go Chi I (Taichi qigong) video DVD
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