Qigong
Cultivating Life Energy 氣功
Qigong (also known as Chi Kung) is an ancient Chinese system of internal energy cultivation. The term itself means “life energy work,” and its primary focus is on developing and harnessing chi (氣)—the vital energy that flows through the body.
Unlike Western exercise, which often emphasizes muscular strength and fast, forceful movement, Qigong takes a gentler, more introspective approach. Movements are slow or even still, allowing the mind to turn inward and develop sensitivity and awareness. In Qigong, energy follows the mind’s intent—when the mind is calm and focused, internal energy begins to flow and strengthen.
Qigong exercises coordinate breath, movement, and intention. Practised regularly, they relax the mind, improve flexibility and suppleness, and nourish the spirit. Because it avoids strain and overexertion, Qigong is accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels.
There are many styles of Qigong practiced around the world, including Soaring Crane, Dragon and Tiger, and Five Animal Qigong. Within the Lee Style system, our focused Qigong practices are known as K’ai Men (开门 – “Open Door”) and Tao Yin (導引 – “Guiding and Leading Energy”).
K'AI MEN 开门
K’ai Men, which means “Open Gate” is a series of Chi generating stretching exercises following the Taoist principles found throughout the Lee Family System. Also known as Taoist Yoga it focuses aligning our muscular-skeletal system and associated meridians with breath work and movement. The energy gates of K’ai Men are spaces in the body where energy can flow or stagnate – spaces between joints or at the various energy centres in the body.
There are said to be over 400 K’ai Men exercises and each one has a focus on creating a ‘muscle change’ in a particular area of the body. Each K’ai Men is performed in two sequences. The first sequence co-ordinates deep breathing with movement, and through a gentle stretch begins to move the chi to the energy gates. The muscle group so prepared, relaxed and warmed up is then ready for the next sequence.
The second sequence extends the stretch, which in turn moves the chi (Qi) through the gates and revitalises the channels of the body. As well as unblocking and moving energy which has numerous benefits for health, K’ai Men also increases the bodies suppleness and flexibility. It soothes the muscles and tendons, releasing tension, and relaxes the mind and spirit.
As we harness our breath to our movements we flow smoothly through different positions. Extension and deepening of movements come as a result of relaxing into stretches rather than creating the tension that comes from trying to achieve change. We allow natural development leading to more flexibility and connection with ourselves and our bodies, with no danger of overextension and injury. This is a more Taoist way of working, encouraging change through conscious relaxation rather than striving to progress.
Image : Greg Goldsworthy
Image : Greg Goldsworthy
TAO YIN 導引
Tao Yin literally translates as ‘guide and pull’ or ‘guide and stretch’. Tao Yin exercises differ from the K'ai Men exercises, as the focus is on co-ordinating deep breathing and soft stretching through one sequence and no extension. Each Tao Yin also has a memorable name such as ‘the flying fox’, ‘the eagle stretches’, ‘beware the bear’ to name a few.
The emphasis of Tao Yin is on the sinew channels or muscle tendon channels. These sinew channels in Chinese medicine follow the 12 primary energy meridians – the lung, stomach, heart, lung, spleen, small intestine, bladder, kidney, pericardium, gall bladder, sanjioa (triple burner). They are broader than the meridians, sitting more superficially at the bodies surface and provide the first line of protective chi (Qi). They originate where each particular meridian starts whether it be at the toes or finger tips and finishes either at the main body or head. For instance, the lung meridian sinew starts at the thumb tip and traverses up the arm to the shoulder, before dropping down the upper chest covering the lung and finishes at the diaphragm point on the lower chest.
Tao Yin focus on each particular sinew - guiding, stretching and so lengthening and improving the sinews flexibility. This strengthens and nourishes the sinew improving improving chi (Qi) flow along the channel.
The Taoist principles of non-force are applied to every aspect of the Lee Style arts whether executing a move in the Feng Shou or stretching in Tao Yin or performing Tai Chi Flying Hands. As well as working on the muscles each Qigong exercise is designed to contract and expand our internal organs in order to unblock and free the movement of Chi throughout the body. This, in turn, improves the flow of internal energy through the body's intricate network of nerves, blood vessels, and energy meridians. Thus harmonising yin with yang and the inner and outer energies of the body.