Qigong
What is Qigong?
Qigong (pronounced “chi gong,”) involves slow, gentle physical exercises as well as breathing techniques to work with the practitioner’s body, mind, and life-force energy (or qi). Qigong’s mind/body discipline focuses on improving and maintaining one’s health and well-being.
Suzann Duquette (photo: Jan Enthoven)
Qigong for Relaxation, Prevention & Health
Qigong was developed in China thousands of years ago as part of traditional Chinese medicine. Its self-message techniques are relaxing and meditative, but the exercises are also used as preventative medicine to improve health. Some of its benefits include:
- Improving bone health by stimulating bone marrow growth
- Working with flexibility in the tendons and ligaments
- Helping the mobility in knees and hips
- Aligning the spine
- Strengthening the qi stored in the internal organs
- Working with increasing subtlety with the body, energy and consciousness through progressive levels
- And much more
Dr. Eva Wong – Daoist Qigong Lineage Holder
Daoist Qigong is what is taught at Sky Lake through Dr. Eva Wong. Daoist qigong is a spiritual discipline that cultivates body and mind simultaneously. Dr. Eva Wong is a traditional qigong lineage holder handing down Outer and Inner Qigong from two systems: the Pre-celestial Limitless Gate School (Xiantianwujimen) and the Yiquan School.
Xiantianwujimen was founded in the Song dynasty (circa 10th to 12th centuries) by Daoist sage Chen Xiyi, who is recognized as “the father of qigong.” Eva Wong is the 19th-generation carrier (quanren) of this lineage.
The Yiquan School was founded by Wang Xiangzhai in the early 20th century. Yiquan is best known for its standing qigong postures called Zhangzhuan. One of Master Wang’s students was the Luhe Bafa master Sun Di. Eva Wong is a student of Sun Di and carries the direct transmission of Wang Xiangzhai’s Yiquan.
For an international schedule of Daoist Qigong programs, visit the Limitless Gate website.
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The Qigong of Xiantianwujimen Taoism
Xiantianwujimen is a Taoist lineage founded by Chen Xiyi in 10th century China. “Xiantian” means primordial, “wuji” means limitless, and “men” means gate. The translated name of the lineage is Primordial Limitless Gate.
This lineage specializes in using qigong to simultaneously cultivate and transform body and mind. A hermit and household tradition, Xiantianwujimen has been transmitted uninterrupted for over a thousand years. Qigong techniques favored by this lineage include self-massage, tendon-changing, calisthenics, marrowwashing, and breath regulation.
Instruction of Xiantianwjimen qigong is offered by Eva Wong, a 19th generation carrier of the lineage, and by instructors authorized by the lineage.
For more information of the teachings and programs offered by Xiantianwujimen Taoism please go to limitlessgate.com.
Qigong 1 and 2 – Peaceful Body, Peaceful Mind
When body is relaxed and peaceful, energy will flow. When mind is still, it will embrace qi and strengthen the body. In the Chinese arts of health and longevity, qigong simultaneously cultivates a peaceful body and a peaceful mind. Physical health and mental well-being are closely aligned.
Begin your journey of health and well-being in Qigong l 1 by learning six classic qigong techniques that relax the body and two postures of standing qigong that gather internal energy. Continue in Qigong 2 by learning how to guide energy through the body using the Nine Self-Massage. Complete the program by
learning Twelve Devas Tendon Changing – the most effective form of qigong used in repairing physical injuries and enhancing muscular-skeletal strength.
There are no requirements. If you wish to get started on improving your physical health and mental well-being, this program is for you.
Qigong 3 – The Gourd and Cauldron: Chinese Medicine and Qigong
Requirement: Qigong 1 and 2
Click here to Register for April 26-30
Chinese Medicine and Qigong enjoy a long history of relationship, mutually influencing each other in their approach to health and longevity. The Gourd is the symbol of Chinese medicine, and the cauldron is the symbol of the Taoist arts of health and longevity.
Your introduction to the Gourd and the Cauldron begins with Hua Tu Five Animals Qigong, one of the most well-known systems of health practices. Hua Tu was the founder of Chinese medicine, and his animal qigong forms are designed to enhance both physical and energetic health. In this qigong, the tiger trains tendon strength, the bear trains bone strength, the deer focuses on preserving generative energy, the monkey trains agility, and the bird sends energy from the base of the spine to the head.
As you continue to explore the Gourd and the Cauldron, you will enter the world of Immortals’ Guide to Self Massage and Breath Regulation and the Red Phoenix Calisthenics. Here, you will learn how to use techniques of breath regulation to work on specific health needs such as improving knee and hip mobility, introducing flexibility into tendons and ligaments, aligning the spine, stimulating bone marrow growth, and strengthening qi stored in the internal organs.
The highlight of Qigong 3 is an evening practice that is designed to strengthen bones and increase bone marrow density. Minimizing the risk of bone fracture and breakage is an important part of preventative medicine. Our exploration of the world of the Gourd and the Cauldron ends with learning how to let qi that is circulated soak deep inside the body. After we have moved qi through the body, we rest in the relaxed stillness of four more standing qigong postures, allowing what we have practiced to have long lasting benefits.
Qigong 4 – Iron and Silk: Strengthening the Body, Cleansing the Internal Organs
Requirement: Qigong 3
Click here to Register for April 26-30
Iron has the quality of hardness, but tempered by fire, will become soft and flexible, ready to form limitless shapes. Silk has the quality of softness, but when the fibers are woven together, they form the strongest bonds.
Qigong 4 is the balance and integration of Iron and Silk. Enter the world of Wudangshan qigong to build the Iron of external strength. Continue your exploration of breath regulation to weave the Silk of internal strength.
Your introduction to Iron begins with the Tiger and Dragon forms of the Wudangshan Five Animals. Wudang means martial-art dominant, and its qigong is used to build the strength and flexibility required for martial arts training. The Tiger builds bone strength and the Dragon trains flexibility in the spine. When you practice these forms, the Iron of your muscles, tendons, and bones will become
strong yet soft and pliable.
Your experience of Silk is through the qigong of Immortals’ Guide and Red Phoenix, when you use breath to move qi through the muscles, tendons, and bones. Through breath regulation, the Silk of your muscular-skeletal system will become soft yet strong and firm.
The highlight of Qigong 4 is a special evening of practice devoted to Organ Cleansing. Toxins enter our organs daily, introducing impurities into qi that is stored in them. Learn how to strengthen your organs, cleanse them, and make them suitable vessels for holding qi.
This level ends with the final two postures of Standing Qigong, the culmination of
stabilizing the benefits of your Iron and Silk training.
Qigong 5 – Limitless Qi, Limitless Consciousness
Requirement: Qigong 4
Click here to register for August 2nd-4th
Qigong 5 is an important landmark in your journey into the Taoist arts of health and longevity. At the end of this level, you will have completed the 6 Basics forms of qigong, the Nine Self Massage Techniques, the Twelve Devas, Hua Tu Animals, the Immortals Guide to Self Massage and Breath Regulation, the Red Phoenix, The Wudangshan Five Animals, and the 8 postures of Standing Qigong.
Your training in Wudangshan Animal Qigong will be complete after learning the leopard, snake, and crane forms. The leopard trains speed and explosive power in tendon reaction, the snake trains finesse and elusive movement in the spine, and the crane channels energy from the base of the spine to the top of the head.
The completion of Immortals Guide and Red Phoenix Calisthenics culminates with forms that enhance memory and bring clarity to thinking by moving qi to the head.
The highlight of Qigong 5 is an evening practice that unites the limitless qi of the body with the limitless nature of our consciousness. In this union of breath, qi, and spirit, you will once again be open to the primordial life force of the Tao.
With the completion of Qigong 5, advanced methods of the Taoist Arts of Health and Longevity will be available to you. To learn more about them, visit www.limitlessgate.com and click on “Qigong Path”.
Qigong and Meditation Retreat
Requirement: Qigong 5
This program is a requirement for Qigong Level 6.
Click here to register for August 4th-9th
Meditation is an integral part of Taoist practice. The dual cultivation of body and consciousness forms the core of Xiantianwujimen Taoism. Internal alchemy, the cultivation of the physical and energetic body, builds the foundation of the cultivation of consciousness. Meditation, the cultivation of the limitless nature of consciousness, provides a vessel that is optimal and safe for the alchemical
transmutation of life energy, or qi.
In Taoist teachings, it is said that qi feeds whatever arises in consciousness. What arises – be it anger, kindness, fear, envy, generosity, and even wisdom – are all intensified by qi. It is therefore important for us not just to cultivate qi, but to be aware of what is arising in our consciousness every moment. Meditation is the technique that can help us become aware of what arises, understand how
thoughts and feelings emerge, and show us how to protect qi from being drained
by destructive attitudes and emotions.
In this program, you will be introduced to a number of meditation techniques from the Taoist traditions, and learn how to use them effectively and efficiently. The goal of this program is to train you to integrate qigong and meditation in order to optimize the gathering, conserving, and cultivation of life energy.
