Qigong Forms

There are a lot of qigong forms. Seventy five ancient forms have been found in Chinese literature and from them many contemporary forms have been developed by people who had recovered from their illness after qigong practice.

In 2003, the Chinese Health Qigong Association officially recognized four health qigong forms. Here are some of the forms that I teach to my classes:

Deep Breathing Morning Qi Gong

Muscle-Tendon Change Classic (Yì Jīn Jīng 易筋经).

Standing Pole Qigong (Xing Yi Zhuang Gong)

Five Animals (Wu Qin Xi 五禽戲).

Six Healing Sounds (Liu Zi Jue 六字訣)

Eight Pieces of Brocade (Ba Duan Jin 八段錦)

Yang Sheng Gong 12 Method 导引养生功十二法

Good Qigong Technique

Whether viewed from the perspective of exercise, health, philosophy, or martial arts training, several main principles emerge concerning the practice of qigong:

Intentional movement: careful, flowing balanced style Rhythmic breathing: slow, deep, coordinated with fluid movement

Awareness: calm, focused meditative state Visualization: of qi flow, philosophical tenets, aesthetics

Chanting/Sound: use of sound as a focal point

Softness: soft gaze, expressionless face

Solid Stance: firm footing, erect spine

Relaxation: relaxed muscles, slightly bent joints

Balance and Counterbalance: motion over the center of gravity

Advanced goals:

The most advanced practice is generally considered to be with little or no motion. An advanced practicioner aims for:

Equanimity: more fluid, more relaxed

Tranquility: empty mind, high awareness

Stillness: smaller and smaller movements, eventually to complete stillness