FAQ's
Tai Chi & Qigong related Frequently Asked Questions
Click on your question and find out more....Last update: 01/10/2007
Q1. When is the best time of day to practice Tai Chi and Qigong movements?
A. Practice anytime of the day to suit your way of life. However early mornig practice is always best because the air is clean and the ambience is calm.
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Q2. Should I practice either Tai Chi or Qigqng or both ?
A. Always try to start your practice session with a set of warm ups, then chosen Qigong set followed by your Tai Chi form.
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Q3. Should I meditate before tai chi practice ?
A. It is always good practice to meditate every day and if possible before your practice; this helps to calm the mind in preparation to your tai chi or qigong practice.
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Q4. Because of my workload would it be OK to practice once a
month ?
A.You should practice every day or at least every other day especially when you are learning. Try to change your work load so you can find an appropriate daytime slot.
TCQHC
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Q5. Should I practice in bare feet, trainers or just shoes?
A. Try never to practice in trainers; there is no contact with the floor. Ideally practice in bare feet or flat soled shoes (no heels) the last two encourage foot, ankle and leg exercise.
TCQHC
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Q6. Are the Eight Strands of the Silk Brocade the same as the following sequence of exercises: Hold up the Sky, The Archer, Heaven and Earth, Cow Looks at Moon, Bend to the Sides, Dive in the River, Punch the Tiger's Eye and Turn the Head. I'm not sure of the name of this sequence and it it is this that I wish to practise.
A. Broadly speaking is yes although the names are different to our Eight Strands of Silk Brocade also known as Baduanjin in Chinese.
Names of posture sequence will always differ from school to school, even though the instructor may call themselves a master or whatever, there will always be variations in the sequence names. The important thing is to derive benefits from the movements what ever the posture is called.
This sort of confusion on names commonly occurs throughout the Tai Chi and Qigong world this is mainly because there is no ‘one' governing body to say what is what and subsequently things change through time, perhaps a little like ‘Chinese whispers'.
To help please find our named posture sequence below and you may see some similarity. We always start with two movements called the inner and outer orbit breath this is to open the tantien in preparation for the set of movements; then the sequence starts, this advice is incorporated on our DVD but also enclosed in the DVD case.
The Eight Strands of Silk Brocade quick reference
00. Open with the Inner & Outer Orbit Breath
01. Two Hands Push the Sky
02. Separate Heaven & Earth
03. Holding the Energy Ball & Looking Behind You
04. Archer Draws Bow
05. Search the Horizon & the Clouds (Parts 1&2)
06. Scooping Clear Water from the Stream
07. Offering the Birds Egg
08. Revitalizing Qi
00. Close
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Q7.Question of Qigong validity (A & B)
Q7a. Can I do other forms of qigong if I also do fragrant chi gong level one forms at another time? I read that you shouldn't.
A(a). As far as we are concerned there is no problem with practicing the Fragrant Buddha with any other Qigong set. At the TCQHC all students mix Qigong sets which include the 8 Strands of Silk Brocade, Fragrant Buddha, 18 TaiChi Qigong set of movements with Standing Zhang Zhong and the Dayan Wild Goose Qigong movements.
Q7b. Is fragrant Qigong a real form of Qigong, but rather a modern one that is really only an exercise. Is this correct?
A(b). The Fragrant Buddha Qigong was developed by a Buddhist monk 2000 years ago for the purpose of self healing, so it's been around for some time. Grand Master Tien Rui-Sheng practiced this Qigong for 50 years before introducing the movements to the world in 1988. Our DVD on this Qigong gives a short appraisal on its origination. It is by no means a modern day set of movements purely for exercise, but a set of movements to meet the needs of the modern world.
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Q8.
I do not do tai chi as a profession but I have been taking classes. I was taught by my instructor that the elbow must touch the knee on the golden rooster move in the yang style as shown in your online tuition photo. Is this incorrect or correct?
Kind regards
Matt Cooper. UK
A. Showing is the basic Golden Rooster stands on one leg from the original Yang Cheng-fu form. if you can touch the elbow on the knee then go for it, not every tai chi player can, if you can't don't worry you can always work up to the finer points as your practice progresses.
A good instructor wouldn't expect a 70 year old newcomer to do a move that they are not clearly capable of, however most able people should be able to reach this standard of competence. (If only we were all as agile as we were at 25 years)
It may be just as well to remember the application which is a deflection with the left hand followed by a knee strike or kick to the opponents’ body, then of course these movements are repeated on the opposite side as per the form sequence.
When training it is always good to touch the knee with the elbow as this will improve individual balance and posture allowing you to apply the application to its extreme i.e. high if necessary. When using this application in a real situation i.e. the knee or foot can connect at any height depending on what distance you are from the opponent.
TCQHC
Q9. How many movements does your long form have? I am currently studying the Yang 85 form.
Thanks
John (no location given)
A. Traditionally there should be 108 moves in the Yang Cheng-fu long form; however that doesn’t include repetitive moves. The TCQHC syllabus has 164 moves prescribed in the sequence for detailed learning guidance, this doesn’t mean we are practicing more moves but detailing and refining the traditional ones to simplify teaching.
TCQHC
Q.10 Is the practice of Baduanjin Qigong (Eight Strands of Silk Brocade) is only suitable for beginners?
A. This Qigong is not just for beginners. However it’s a good one to start with. These Qigong movements are the first Qigong set my students learn when they join the TCQHC. I also think they are a good warm up prior to your Tai Chi form practice.
TCQHC
Q.11 Some good questions on the Fragrant Buddha Qigong set of movements:
11a. Which areas of the energy system will particularly benefit or be developed using this routine?
11b. Is the routine directed at or through any specific meridians?
11c. Can practitioners expect to experience any particular health or well being benefits?
11d. Do you have any experience of using this routine in a formal way with elderly or disabled groups? If so, do you have any particular advice that would be useful in those areas of instruction?
Any help would be much appreciated.
Pete Horsley UK
A. Our collective broad answer to all four questions is as follows:
I am a great believer that the general practice of Qigong heals the ‘whole’ body and not necessary specific areas. The practice is to maintain a good flow of Qi throughout the body unblocking ‘all meridians and channels’ maintaining the immune system to a high level of wellness.
The above should answer 11a & 11b questions from my point of view. From the grand master’s (Tian Rui-sheng) point of view this Qigong is self healing, there are three levels: one, two and advanced. There has been a great deal said about this Qigong and its master. Try searching the Internet on this particular form there's pleny of info out there.
In anwser to 11c: You should always experience health and wellbeing benefits, if after a prolonged period of practice you do not experience improvements a practitioner should try another Qigong set such as the Wild Goose Dayan Qigong or Three Circle.
In answer to 11d: As a teacher use your teaching skills and experience with whatever tools you have. Our teaching encompasses; senior citizens, physically disabled, ME and Cardiovascular patients and patients with blood disorders, the Fragrant Buddha set of movements has proven beneficial along with other elements of our program which include various other Qigong, Tai Chi and Relaxation.
TCQHC
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Q 12. To raise or not to raise the heel in the Shibashi Qigong set?
I have purchased a copy of your 18 Tai Chi Qigong instructional DVD. I have a couple of questions that I would like to ask you relating to the movements.
With the lifting the ball and turn and gaze at the moon movements I noticed that you came up on your back heel as you turned , just as you do when you demo numbers 12 and 13. You do not mention this for the first two movements but you do for 12 and 13, therefore am I right in assuming that you do come up on the heel for those movements?
The reason that I am asking is because I am doing my teacher training with the Tai Chi and Chi Kung Forum for health and feel that the set would be wonderful for non mainstream and people with learning difficulties to practice, this is the area that I am very interested in so I would like to make sure that my techniques are correct. Also would you consider that it would be possible to adapt the moves to sitting postures for students who are disabled?
Kind regards
A. Howlings
Buckinghamshire
A. Raising the heel on No: 7 Lifting the Ball and No: 8 Looking at the Moon is optional, I have kept these movement in original sequence and I have always felt that this type of back stretch is strenuous in the lumber region especially for beginners, by raising the heel it takes the tension away and helps the student to relaxed as he/she should be when practicing Qigong. Also although I do not show in Lifting the Ball I recommend newcomers and anybody who suffers with a lower back problem to place the back of the spare hand in the small of the back to support that area when turning, this support and the lifting of the heel can always be left out once the student gains experienced in these moves. We have adapted these movements for chair bound patients in hospital when for instants the student only need to lift and turn their body 45 degrees either side of the front centre. The important aspect is slow coordinated breathe and when ever required concentrate on the laogong point at palm centre, sending Qi to this point.
Re: numbers 11 Scooping the Sea and 12 Closing the Door. When practicing No: 11 take the weight off or raise the back heel (yin) when transferring the weight forward, then when transferring the weight back the leading toes raise becoming (yin). Once again this can be modified once the practitioner becomes more experienced by keeping the feet flat on the floor. No: 12 should be practiced as the movement should be done in the Tai Chi form 'Closing the Door' where the feet remain flat on the floor (no heel raising) This is purely a forward and back upright body weight shift.
By all means adapt these movements to suite handicaped persons, I gave a couple of examples with 7 & 8 but what ever you teach retain coordinated slow breath with movement using the minds eye to circulate the Qi. For interest the Fragrant Buddha Qigong can be practiced either standing or sitting and is suitable for chair bound persons, another adaptable Qigong is the Eight Strands of Silk Brocade this set can be easily practiced sitting aswell as standing. Most static Qigong are flexible enough for sitting or standing practice.
TCQHC
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Creatrix Impigritas - Creative Energy |
