LFIAA Lishi Taiji Whirling Hands ( Taiji Lun Shou)

Today many people only take up the practice of taijiquan mainly to improve their relaxation levels and to maintain health and wellbeing. But within the practice of the taijiquan forms there exits  the expression of Taiji eight energies or techniques which are Ward Off ( Peng), Rollback ( Lu), Pressing ( An), Squeezing ( Ji), Splitting ( Lie), Elbow (Zhou), Bump (Kao) and Pluck ( Cai). These eight techniques (Ba Fa) are expressed within the practice of the  taijiquan form in a fixed training method to allow the individual to understand each techniques own particular energy, but within the practice of taijiquan sticking, pushing, coiling and whirling hands exercises these so called eight techniques are truly developed and expressed skilfully by the individuals in a vast amount countless changes.

The Whirling Hands exercise ( Taiji Lun Shou) is a tactile two-person training exercise that is practiced within the Li Style Taijiquan system, both training partners take hold of each other’s hands, standing with their right foot infront and alongside each other. They then both begin to move their hands around drawing different size circles in any direction, with the aim to touch and push each other off balance using their hands, elbows or shoulders. They cannot use strength against strength, if one partner attempts to push, the other partner must feel which hand the partner is going to use and then lead it into empty space. The practice of Taiji Whirling Hands is to develop each individuals sense of touch to immediately feel the change in their partners substantial and insubstantial movements, it develops each individuals timing, reactions, accuracy, balance, coordination and concentration.

Taiji Whirling Hands exercise can be practiced in a fixed position or as a moving step exercise, it mainly develops the techniques of Pressing (An), Elbowing (Zhou) and Bumping ( Kao) there are also joint locking techniques (Qin Na) plus kicking methods directed at the legs and feet of  the training partner. It is great fun and very enjoyable it can be practiced slowly or fast, it truly expresses the inter changing  principles of Yin and Yang in a multitude of transformations that movement is created from stillness.

Sadly today less and less individuals are practicing the tactile training exercises that the Li style taijiquan has to offer like the Whirling Hands exercise for example, which can help individuals to deepen their understanding and bring their taijiquan movements alive helping the individual to raise their skill level to a higher degree of proficiency. To some, simply learning to make contact with another individual can remove many barriers helping the individual to become more open and confident within themselves and around other people.

  

LFIAA Original Feng Shou-Gongfu ” Balancing the Four Techniques” (Si Fa)

Obviously when an individual begins to learn the Original Feng Shou-Gongfu system they will learn each of the four techniques (Si Fa) striking, kicking,wrestling and throwing  techniques individually for many months and years until they become more skilful, confident in each of the four techniques. But gradually through correct guidance from their teacher male or female (Shifu/Shimu) they must be encouraged through various training exercises to combine and balance their  four methods of  striking, kicking, wrestling and throwing techniques into circular, flowing movements that are endlessly changing and transforming.

One of the most difficult aspects to conforming  to the four techniques of striking, kicking, wrestling and throwing together in a skilful way by any practitioner of the Original Feng Shou-Gongfu is in the application of any of the wrestling joint locking methods (Qin Na).  To apply a successful Qin Na joint lock on an opponent who is striking or kicking with very fast strikes or kicks is an impossible thing to do, especially if you go into the confrontation with your opponent trying to mechanically apply a Qin Na joint lock. If your attempted Qin Na joint lock fails then quickly change to using a strike or kick this then might give you another opportunity to apply a Qin Na technique or even to throw your opponent. Any Qin Na joint locking technique must not be planned, you cannot go into any physical confrontation with an aggressive opponent and simply try applying  a planned Qin Na joint locking technique. Successful Qin Na joint locks must be  spontaneous, skilful and literally come out of nothing, as the practitioner must  seize the opportunity when it arrives.

When learning to balance the four techniques (Si Fa) together the practitioner of the Original Feng Shou-Gongfu must learn to notice the substantial from the insubstantial, true from the false, heavy from the light, fullness from emptyness all concealed within each other,the four techniques must move as one organic, comprehensive  whole  not even one of the four techniques must be neglected.

At the highest level of proficiency for any practitioner of the Original Feng Shou-Gongfu is that their movements must be flowing, round (circular), active. Their movement must be full of intrinsic power (Jin Li) the four techniques emphasis the substantial and insubstantial changing and transforming freely  and smoothly like that of running water. Everything is circular,continuous and alive there are no gaps,nothing is performed mechanically all actions are spontaneous and skilful adapting to the situation.in this way the workings of heaven and earth are actualised and one is following the Dao, the natural patterns of Yin and Yang  that exist within the world of living things.

  

LFIAA Practical Qigong “Efficent Natural Body Movement”

Over the years that I have taught qigong  to thousands of people it always amazes me that they simply think that’s it’s practice is all about learning to relax (Song). Well In actual fact there is a lot more to it than just relaxation as there is the harmonising of our internal and external worlds that greatly effects our health. Externally one of the most important aspects to its practice is aligning the individuals posture and teaching them to use the whole body as one complete unit and not to isolate any action or movement to conserve their energy and vitality levels. Many individuals carry a tremendous amount of tension and stiffness within their bodies which can be caused by many contributing  factors like poor working conditions,  or exercising in a poor way that causes more damage to their body than good, bad posture when relaxing at home or serious illnesses.

One of the best benefits that the regular practice of qigong can help individuals externally with,  is allowing them to release muscular tension within their body that has caused mis-alignment in their posture. For example some people suffer with bad backs which can cause them to have a slight limb or a strange gait when they walk, this can sometimes be caused by the muscles of the back becoming so tense that they mis-align the individuals pelvis making one hip slightly higher than the other. Through the gentle stretching movements of qigong which can help to release the muscle tension within the back the individuals pelvis will slot back into place as the tension in the back which is pulling on the hips is released, allowing for the individuals back to become more relaxed and realigning their hips,the releasing of the back muscle tension will also boost their vitality levels and over-al range of mobility.

Another aspects that is also very beneficial to any individual who takes up the regular practice of qigong is that it teaches the individual to fully connect and move the whole body as one complete unit. In the practice of qigong there are no movements where the arms or legs move on there own independent of the rest of the body, as this causes the individual to use more muscular strength which cause more tension to be trapped into the body. Learning to connect and move the whole body in any direction allows the body to remain loose and relaxed (Fang Song) and it develops more power and strength in the body’s actions as more body parts are used and combined together leaving nothing isolated.

Learning to move the whole body in a relaxed natural and well connected unit actually conserves energy. Whereas, using various actions of the body which are isolated can cause the individual to use up more energy as greater strength is needed to perform the individual action. Learning and practicing qigong  teaches the individual to move their body in a natural and efficent manner that is correctly aligned, loose and relaxed with a body full of unobstructed energy (Qi) and blood (Xue) to help maintain the functioning of the internal organs (Zangfu) prolonging good health and wellbeing.

  

LFIAA Sunshi Baguazhang (Sun Style EIght Trigram Palms)

One of the most beneficial traditional Chinese internal arts that I have practiced and I can say it is properly my favourite  is the Chinese mind, body, spirit system known as the “Eight Trigram Palms” (Baguazhang). I personally practice Baguazhang most mornings as it maintains my flexibility, balance, concentration, fitness and relaxation levels ready to take on the rest of the day. What I like about the practice of Baguazhang is that you can practice it within a small confined area and unlike the practice of taijiquan form work which mainly involves a long sequence of movements performed moving along laterally, the practice of Baguazhang involves walking around in a circle constantly changing direction as you perform coordinated whole body actions.

Sun style Baguazhang involves the practice of many forms,these particular forms are short in their duration, but are practiced on both sides of the body so as to develop a well coordinated and agile individual. Regular Baguazhang practice greatly improves the tendon, ligament, muscle and joint flexibility of the whole body, increasing both blood (Xue) and energy (Qi) circulation which boosts and strengthens the immune system, flushes the lymphatic system, soothes and calms the nervous system. 

Because Baguazhang involves short movement forms which can be each practiced individually or all linked together in a long sequential form that involves the turning, rotating, spiralling, twisting, coiling, stretching, walking, opening and closing of the whole body.  It is the walking of the circle that allows the practice of Baguazhang to become a form of “Moving Meditation” (Dong Ming Xiang)  as the practitioner can walk the circle as many times as they wish before they change the direction. For the cultivating of the vital energy it is emphasised that the practitioner walks around in the circle more, before they change the direction. Whereas, if the individual  practices the movements more by changing direction more and walking the circle less they will develop their flexibility and general fitness more.

Like with the practice of taijiquan which can be used to greatly improve your health and wellbeing it can also be used as a martial art, and so it is the same with the practice of Baguazhang. Each of the Baguazhang forms involve the four fighting ranges of striking, kicking, wrestling and throwing techniques. All of these techniques are hidden within the strange dance like movements. To an ordinary individual watching someone practice their Baguazhang it would be hard to believe that what they are watching is a powerful Chinese internal martial art, as its deadly methods are hidden within the soft, snake like supple movements that are constantly changing  direction.

I honestly believe that Baguazhang is the only true complete Daoist mind, body, spirit art that is still alive and being practiced today in our fast modern world. Unlike the practice of taijiquan which over the many years as been watered down by individuals simply  turning it into a “relaxation exercise”. Baguazhang as managed to remain intact and this I think is because it is not as popular like taijiquan and I hope it remains and is studied by as many people as possible to help keep it alive.

  

LFIAA Energy Bodywork Massage “Rubbing Technique” (Rou Fa)

Within the Li Family’s ( Tui Na Qigong) Energy Bodywork Massage system as passed onto the LFIAA by Master Chee Soo for which he taught over numerous amount of massage techniques. One of the most easiest, flexible and beneficial techniques to learn is the “Rubbing” technique (Rou Fa), this particular massage technique can be used to treat many types of ailments and there is no part of the patients body that you cannot use this technique on. It can be used on the musculoskeletal system as well as on the acupuncture meridians, channels (Jing Mai) and energy points (Qixue) to tonify or disperse any blood stasis or blocked energy.

The actual use of the “Rubbing” technique can involve individual parts of the hand such as the use of the fingers, Palm, hypertheanar mound (little finger edge) or the theanar mound ( thumb edge of palm) or you can use the whole hand as one unit. The “Rubbing” technique means that it covers the same area of the body in a forwards,backwards direction or in a side to side direction. It can be directed in a straight line or in a circular motion repeatedly covering the same surface area of the body, “Rubbing” uses a friction action that generates a lot of heat between the practitioners hand and patients body.

When the practitioner begins to use their “Rubbing” technique they must learn to immediately connect to the patients own energy and then be able to guide and lead (Daoyin) it any direction on tpatients body to either rise, lower,disperse or enter their energy to help with various ailments. The practitioner when using the “Rubbing”technique must make sure that they start  using a light to heavy pressure that has the feeling of kneading/rubbing the patient must have a  feeling of relaxing  into the massage, as this helps with the treatment.

“Rubbing” produces heat and warmth that can be used  against coldness or attack by wind to treat cold limbs, poor circulation, arthritis, influenza, stiff neck, frozen shoulder etc, the elderly especially like the “Rubbing”  technique as they are more than likely to suffer with coldness, poor circulation and arthritis. Like all of the Energy Bodywork Massage techniques they can be used through the clothing of the patient which means that they can be used anywhere and at any time as a first aid treatment. It is vitally important that the practitioner regularly practice their Daoyin/Qigong exercises to cultivate an abundance of their own energy (Qi) to maintain their own health and wellbeing, but to be able to tangibly connect and move the patients own energy and to feel the sensations of energy as it moves through the patients body so that the practitioner has full control.

  

LFIAA Taiji Qigong ” Controlling Slowness”

One of the most difficult aspects of practicing  any of the taiji  qigong exercises by any individual is to maintain control of the correct speed that each taiji qigong exercise is performed. It is very easy to control a very slow speed when you are simply practicing one exercise, it is more difficult when you link more than one  taiji qigong exercises together in a long sequence. Moving slowly forces the individual to concentrate on maintaining a smooth, even speed. Coordinating their breathing and movements together in time stopping the individual from allowing their mind to wonder off into the future or past, but remain in the present.

The practitioner must approach every individual taiji qigong exercise as a “Moving Meditation” (Dong  Ming Xiang)  practice allowing their mind and body to connect. This can only be achieved by the practitioner moving as slowly as possible,they must not speed up or pause at anytime their movements must be continuous, controlled, slow and even. The ultimate aim of each practitioner as they perform their taiji qigong exercises is to achieve a feeling of deep inner “Stillness in Motion”. The body is kept relaxed and disciplined in its accuracy to its precise movements,while the mind is very ” Still” and focused on controlling the mechanics of the body, the slow, long, deep, smooth breathing in coordination with the  slow, even and continuous body movements.

Overtime the practitioner will enter into what is known as the “Empty State” (Wuji)  they are fully  engrossed with their practice that time does not exist for them. As the practitioner enters the ” Empty State Posture” (Wuji Shi) heir mind is able to look and feel deep inside themselves so that they can tangibly feel their blood and qi circulate smoothly into their extremities and body. Taiji qigong exercise can greatly benefit each individuals health especially with such ailments as Asthma, Arthritis, Osteoporosis, Hypertension,  Anxieties, Depression, Stress, Falls Syndrome, Back Pain Problems, Poor Circulation, Weak Leg Strength etc.

There are three levels to the practice of the taiji qigong exercises the first level is studying each of the individual exercises and developing your body mechanic skill in connecting the upper and lower portions of the body,so that the whole body moves as one smooth unit and no part of the body is working on its own in an isolated action. The second level is for the practitioner to link all of the 36  taiji qigong exercises together into a long continuous sequence or form, maintaining  a slow, even speed throughout. Most individuals and practitioners attain this level, but only a few are able to reach or attain the third level.

The third level of taiji qigong practice is where the practitioner now combines both their external mechanics (Wai Gong) and their internal  mechanics (Nei Gong) to guide their qi through the Small and Large Heavenly Circulation ( Xiao Zhou Tian Gong & Da Zhou Tian Gong). An understanding of the location of the acupuncture meridians,channels ( Jing Mai) and energy points (Qixue) that are used within the practice of every taiji qigong exercise is vitally needed at this third level.

  

Original Feng Shou-Gongfu “Lowline Kicking Methods”.

Within the system of the Original Feng Shou-Gongfu as taught by the LFIAA there are a numerous amount of kicking techniques taught and practiced in our classes.  As with most traditional Chinese internal martial arts the kicking methods are mainly aimed towards the attackers lower extremities, targeting their joints, muscles,nerves and energy points (Qixue). Unlike many modern martial arts that are used for competition their kicks are mainly used to target the opponents thigh or calf muscles and not their joints. Whereas, the practitioner of the Original Feng Shou-Gongfu would use such kicking methods as stamping, hooking, chopping and stomping to destroy the attackers legs immediately finishing the confrontation quickly.

Naturally all the kicking techniques that are practiced by the Feng Shou-Gongfu practitioner would also be combined with defensive or offensive hand techniques to help disguise their kicking techniques giving them a better chance to hit their intended targets. The practitioner would obviously start off learning to develop a single  kick, then they would progress to using a double kicking method off the same leg targeting the opponents both legs,  then they can move onto combining multiple kicking attack methods using their both legs in a vast amount of variations.

Just as much as the Feng Shou-Gongfu practitioner must learn offensive kicking techniques, they must then also learn how to defend against their attacker using Lowline kicking methods against themselves. Firstly the practitioner must learn to move their both legs to evade or dodge the attackers Lowline kicks, secondly they must then learn how to use various parts of their  lower extremities such as the sole of the foot, shins and knees to block or deflect the attacks Lowline kicking techniques and then counter attack back with another kick or strike.

Learning to practice using and defending against kicks aimed at the lower extremities develops the practitioners agility, coordination, concentration, reactions,timing, accuracy, precision and  fast footwork both in defence and offence. Obviously at anytime the practitioner can if they wish too, also direct their kicks high towards the attackers head or body, this can some times be a risky thing to do  as the attacker could seize their leg and they end up deeper in trouble. Whereas Lowline kicks are must faster and safer to perform.
  
   

 

Swimming Dragon Qigong “Reeling Silk Movements”( Chan Si Gong)

The Daoist Kunlun’s “Swimming Dragon Qigong” (You Long Gong) is a one thousand and eighty year old Chinese mind, body, spirit exercise that was created to maintain and improve the individuals health and wellbeing through both passive (Jing Gong) and active vigorous (Dong Gong) movements.  The Swimming  Dragon Qigong exercise is really beneficial for those certain individuals who suffer with joint stiffness, back muscle tension and rigid spinal columns as the actions of the Swimming Dragon Qigong will gently stretch open the joints, tendons and ligaments to help release muscle tension especially in the back muscles and hips to allow the individual to become more relaxed and loose, increasing their blood and qi circulation which will in turn raise their vitality levels.

Within the movements of the Swimming Dragon Qigong  exercise there is the skill known as “Reeling Silk Work” (Chan Si Gong). This is were the practitioner will use spiralling actions of their arms, torso and legs to stretch open their joints, tendons,ligaments and muscles increasing the individuals range of mobility, releasing blocked stagnant blood and energy (qi) that will help to balance the individuals emotions by releasing anxiety, tension, frustration, depression etc.

The ” Reeling Silk Work” (Chan Si Gong) movements that are performed in the practice of the Swimming Dragon Qigong exercise develops a supple, loose and relaxed body that invigorates the flow of qi to circulate strongly through the tendon muscular meridians (Jin Jing Mai) which in turn help the internal organs ( Zangfu)maintain their function in balancing our health. The actions of “Reeling Silk Work” are found throughout the entire Swimming Dragon Qigong exercise and are not just performed by the arms the legs are also used in the practice of “Reeling Silk Work” to increase blood and energy flow into the feet.plus it gently stretches the ligaments, muscles and joints of the hips, knees and ankles of the lower extremities to improve mobility.