Cover: Master Si Douquan uring the Second World War, when and from time to time they got together Germany was invading the rest of and talked about the past. They always Qi Magazine is published by the Tse Qigong Centre. Its aim is to bring you information not Europe, Japan was attacking remembered the Abbot who had saved readily available in the West. D China. A group of Japanese soldiers were their lives and they knew they had to chasing three Chinese men who were thank him. Editor: Michael Tse Deputy Editor: Darryl Moy spying on the Japanese. So they all went to visit the temple Design Assistant: David Drennan The three men kept running until again. They saw the monks and thanked Assistants: Sarah Bloomfield they came across a Buddhist temple. the Abbot. Then one of the rich men John Hayes Martin Gale They went in and saw a group of monks said, “I would like to invite you all for who were in the middle of a Buddhist dinner at a restaurant.” This was quite Legal Adviser: Tony Walsh lesson. They asked the Abbot for help common and so the Abbot agreed, Proof Reading: Yvonne Dixon and explained that the although he did not expect any reward. Mike Stenson Japanese soldiers were It was nice to gather together, Marketing/Distribution: Jessica Blackwell trying to capture them. The particularly with those people who Sweden: Barbro Olsson Abbot took them into a had been fighting for their Consultants (Listed in alphabetical order): back room, and one by country and who had saved Grandmaster Chan Chi Ho one shaved their heads. so many lives. Grandmaster Chen Xiao Wang He then gave them The restaurant Grandmaster Ip Chun Grandmaster Yang Meijun monks’ robes and when was high class and very they had put them expensive. The monks Columnists: Glen Gossling J. Reynolds Nelson on, they looked sat down and the Dr. Shulan Tang exactly like the food was brought Sihn Kei rest of the out to the table. The Adam Wallace monks. dishes were chicken, Readers may contact any of our contributors c/o W h e n duck, and fish. All Qi Magazine. the Japanese of it was very good We encourage all our readers to contribute articles, letters or questions for possible inclusion in future issues of soldiers came food, however, the Qi Magazine. to the temple monks just looked Articles appearing in Qi Magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editor. Adverts appearing in the their comm- at it and did not magazine are not necessarily endorsed by it or the editor. Exercises appearing in Qi Magazine are for reference ander asked know what to do as purposes only. Thus anyone wishing to study should seek the Abbot, they were all qualified tuition. “Have you vegetarian. The Michael Tse 2001. seen three Abbot looked at the All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be young men food and then reproduced, stored or transmitted in any way without the written permission of Michael Tse. come past looked at the three here?” The men and realised Advertising: Qi Magazine hasprovedto be an effective way of reaching a wide variety of people. All enquiries Abbot replied, that they had not welcome. “No, I have not realised that they For UK call: 0161 929 4485 ForUSA call: (808)528 8501 seen anyone, all were vegetarian.

Subscription: Costs per year: our monks have They had just tried UK £20 inc p&p. been in here to get the best food USA $35 inc p&p studying the they could to show Europe £25 (airmail) inc p&p. Worldwide £35 (airmail) inc p&p. B u d d h i s t their appreciation For UK/Europe/Worldwide scriptures.” for saving their Please send payment in Pounds Sterling. Payment can be The soldiers lives. by Credit Card or Cheque, drawn on UK bank, payable to believed the monk, The Abbot Qi Magazine: as they also believed was first to pick up Qi Magazine PO Box 59 Altrincham, WA15 8FS, UK in Buddhism and a piece of chicken Tel:0161 929 4485 Fax: 0161 929 4489 knew that monks did and said, “Enjoy the email: [email protected] not lie. food!” and ate it. The rest For USA/Canada When the Japanese soldiers of the monks saw him do this Please send payment in USDollars. Payment can be by left, the three men were finally safe and and also started to eat the meat, Credit Card or Check payable to Qi Magazine: they were very pleased and thankful to although they did not eat too much. The Tse Qigong Centre the monks. After many years, the war hosts never realised what was going on. PO Box 15807, Honolulu HI 96830 was over and the three man went back At the end of the meal, the monks Tel: (808) 528 8501 Fax:(520) 441 6578 email [email protected] to their normal lives. Some of them went back to the temple. Some of them http://www.qimagazine.com became very successful business men, felt sick, but after a few days they ISSN 1358-3778 Continued on page 9

Qi Magazine Mar/Apr 2002 page 1 1 Editorial with Michael Tse.

3 PO Box

10 Pushing Hands part 3 Pushing hands is a vital part of Taijiquan training. Following on from our look at single hand Tui Shou, we go on to look at the two handed sequence. by Glenn Gossling 12 High Cholesterol and TCM With today’s fast food lifestyle high cholesterol is a major problem. It has severe implications for your 41 All You Need to Know health, and so many people are concerned with keeping People are often waiting for something to come along that their levels down. How does TCM tackle this problem? will make their lives easier or better. If they only looked by Dr Shulan Tang more carefully, they might find everything they need right in front of them. 13 True Feng Shui by Darryl Moy Feng Shui is very popular today. However the most common Feng Shui found is very simplistic and watered 42 Shaolin Green Dragon Sword down. To find the true skill is still quite difficult, but This is a unique skill that has never been taught openly in when you do it is worth it. the West. It is a perfect balance of Yin and Yang as the by Ian Wallace sword has a long tassel that balances the blade of the sword. 16 Creation in Stillness by Michael Tse Life is all about striking a balance. When we can achieve this then we are likely not only to enjoy ourselves more, 44 Daoist Wisdom for Healthy Living we can also be productive. So in this fast paced society, The Dao De Jing offers much wisdom it can relate to stillness, though often missed can be very beneficial. everyone’s lives if we know how to interpret it. The author by Sihn Kei has made comments to help the Qigong practitioner see the wisdom and use it to enhance their lives. 18 Everyone is Kung Fu Fighting! by Adam Wallace Learning Kung Fu requires commitment and dedication, but you also need to find a good teacher and a good 45 Feng Shui and Your Desk skill to learn. Not all styles will suit you, so it is good to The Feng Shui of where you work is very important. So you invest some time in finding the right one for you. must make sure that everything is in good order to help the by Peter Walfisz energy create good results for you. by Michael Tse 26 Snake & Turtle Qigong This is a rare Qigong method based on these two Cover Feature...Cover Feature...Cover Feature... animals. by Zhou Renfeng 22 The Origins of Taijiquan – Different Shades of Grey 30 Instructor Insight Taijiquan has a long history and A look at two instructors of the Tse Qigong Centre. most people know this. But there are differing views on how it came 35 Healthy Living Gong about and who actually created The Tse Qigong Centre has many different types of it. Some people say the Chen Qigong. Here we look at one of the forms that Michael family created it, some people say Tse has created to help beginners with their studies. it came from Wudang Mountain by Michael Tse and others have a different view. Perhaps this is a debate that will 39 Basic Self Defence Training never be solved, but still, the More techniques that can be practised with a partner. debate will go on and on. by Xia Bai Hwa CoverBy Michael Feature...Cover Tse Feature...Cover Feature... page 2 Qi Magazine Mar/Apr 2002 POBox POBox POBox... New Publishing Rules from Beijing In the wake of recent events in China an announcement was made in Beijing setting out new regulations for the printing industry. The new regulations are largely based around what the government terms as cults. They restrict any content that relates to cults and superstition and any material they suspect is likely to disturb social order and destroy social stability. These new regulations came into effect from the 1st of Feb 2002.

Tse Qigong Centre UK PO Box 59 Blossoming Altrincham WA15 8FS 0845 838 2285 Down Under +44 161 929 4485 Two instructors of the Tse Qigong Centre, Jane Pollard and Vera [email protected] Externest, recently made a huge step and relocated from Bristol in the UK to Queensland, Australia. Staying On Since their arrival they have been wasting no Due to popular demand the USA office of the Tse Qigong time and have Centre will remain open. Thus anyone wishing to contact the set up class in office in the USA can do so by contacting: their new home. Tse Qigong Centre Already they have been PO Box 15807 attracting attention from the local Honolulu HI 96830 press and have a good number of USA people signing up for their courses. Tel (808) 528 8501 Fax (520) 441 6578 It just goes to show that a good skill can take you anywhere in the email [email protected] world!

Qi Magazine Mar/Apr 2002 page 3 I just want to email and thank books about Taiji. A lot of the time in the Captivated you for publishing such a helpful West, people think that to strighten the medium. It’s helping me to understand joints means we have to use strength. by Wing Chun many aspects of Wing Chun plus it However, both straight and bent are Dear Sifu Michael Tse, answers a lot of the questions that I normal positions as long as you do not My name is Patrick Nicastro, I’m have. use muscle tension. So bending the joints 31 years old and I’ve been studying Wing I read your book all the time, it’s does not mean they are relaxed and Chun for only 3 weeks and I love it. I very hard to put down because I enjoy it holding them straight does not mean they find this art very interesting and so much. are stiff. Also as you go through the form beneficial because whenever I perform Anyways, thanks again for the postures will change and the position Wing Chun my mind feels peaceful. It publishing such a great book, it’s been and shape of your hands will change. makes me forget about all the things in inspiring. The best thing to do is follow your life which stress me out and I find that Yours sincerely, teacher and bear this in mind. incredible. Pat Nicastro Michael Tse I’m a member of a Wing Chun school which is located 15 km from my home and I’m currently training 5 days Benefits of Outdoors a week for an hour each time but I wish Empty Force? Sifu, I could train full-time because I’d love Dear Sir I have heard often that those to become a Wing Chun teacher Do you teach Kong Jing or “Empty practising Taiji do so outside, early in someday. Force”? Is this real? I have seen several the morning. In Wing Chun is there an I’m seriously videos of Richard Mooney who claims to advantage to performing Siu Lim Tao thinking of quitting my job have such abilities. outside? of 11 years and Mark Baker Also what is the best way to moving inter-state to benefit from using the form to build up Sydney because that’s Dear Mark Qi and balance ourselves? where Sifu Jim Fung has a Thank your for your letter. I think Best wishes full-time Wing Chun what you are referring to is the ability to Richard Academy. I get a lot of use your Qi to knock people over and satisfaction from Wing push them away as a martial art skill. It is Dear Richard Chun, so I’ll be more than possible for a Qigong master to transmit Thank you for your email. happy to leave my job his or her Qi to affect another person and People generally practise Taiji because in the end I even make them move, but this movement outside for the fresh air, and also as they would have spent my is usually quite gradual and gentle. To use havemore space. It isnot a fixed rulethat energy towards an art this ability as self defence you would have they have to practise in the morning, but that really means to make the person move very suddenly the air tends to be fresher and a little something to me. and with a lot of force. I personally have cooler, also people tend to have other Apparently, never seen anyone do this and never commitments during the day time. The the Wing Chun experienced this myself, but I am not best thing to do is fix the time for practising Academy in Sydney is familiar with Richard Mooney and his at the same time everyday. This way your supposed to be a good place of learning, videos so I cannot make any comment on body will be more settled. so I’ll be checking it out before I take this. For Wing Chun, you can practise the big plunge. Best wishes, Siu Lim Tao outside and you will get the It’s a big step for me but it’s a Michael Tse same benefits of the fresh air and Qi. direction I’m really interested in pursuing However, as Siu Lim Tao is very stationary, because its a dream of mine. I wish I you might feel cold, especially now during could stay in Melbourne but full-time Fingers and Forms the Winter. So as long as you can stand training is very expensive here plus its Hi there, the weather, then this is not a problem. hard to find a competent teacher. Can you tell I have not long The best way to develop your Qi My Wing Chun instructors are started tai chi and I have been told to with Siu Lim Tao is to relax as much as great and very friendly but unfortunately keep the hands straight with the fingers you can and do it as slowly as you can. the classes are too big so it’s very hard together. However since reading Hope this is of help. for them to allocate quality time for different books, some say bend the wrists Michael Tse every single student. and keep the fingers slightly open. Can I find myself lost and confused at you tell me the correct way, so I can times whilst I try to keep up with the rest further my training. Reaction to of the class but hopefully with a lot of I look forward to hearing from Black Belt Sale hard work and determination I’ll get you. there. Sally Thomson Hello, I’ve just recently purchased your I would like to give a reaction on Book titled Wing Chun, The traditional Dear Sally the article mentioned in the last Qi Chinese Kung Fu for Self-Defence and Thank you for your letter. It can be magazine about the email with the Kung Health and I reckon it’s fantastic. quite confusing when you read different fu 1st dan proposition. As a Shaolin Kung page 4 Qi Magazine Mar/Apr 2002 fu and internal arts instructor I am Also although I practise Siu Lim talking about developing power. To do this ashamed of these kinds of acts but I know Tao and Chi Sau regularly, my energy you need to practise Siu Lim Tao for a long it exists. I too received in the past emails does not seem to be developing further. time. Chi Sau develops sensitivity and like this and people advertise all the way Are there any Qigong techniques, which teaches you how to apply the techniques on the internet in the same manner. Like could help with this? Also, would Taiji you have learnt properly. that person stated if you perform these be beneficial for helping with Chi Sau Taijiquan is very different training. five stances (tiger, dragon, snake, sensitivity as well as in its own right? I Although Taiji has a training method leopard and crane), what is that? First notice that one of your teachers is based called Tui Shou (Pushing Hands) it is quite of all what stances are they ? These are in Sheffield and I would be happy to different to Chi Sau (Sticking Hands). I do just the basic wuxingquan animals, could combine my current Wing Chun training not suggest that people learn both at the be of any style or method and they with Taiji and Qigong if contain tons of stances and diversity in it will be beneficial. I forms (taolu), weapons, chin na, have been cautious breathing, etc... And if you can do these about learning Taiji then you are 1st dan or duan in kung as when I tried it “The more people fu? These tests are becoming easier and previously I was easier. But again these people make taught by a very you Chi Sau with martial arts like a toy and just to make experienced teacher profit out of it. And what was the deal who had a high level. with that certificate signed by a world Best wishes the better you will champion? That is my opinion as a Anonymous serious and traditional instructor. I wish get.” Sifu Michael Tse all the best with his Thank you for teachings and work and of course the your email. I am happy you enjoy what same time if their foundation in one skill good magazine. Greetings from you are learning. If you are interested in is not good enough. Belgium, a mi tou fou. studying Bagauzhang you might like to If you want to develop a good level Sifu Snoeck Chris 5th dan – duan contact Arvo Tucker as I hear he has a of sensitivity in Chi Sau, then it is better to Founder/Head Instructor Shaolin Union good reputation and has a clear practise with more people. The more Europe background. He might be able to help you people you Chi Sau with the better you All Europe President IBBF Int.Black Belt as I do not know Bagua and so cannot will get. Federation help you. If you would like to study Qigong IBBF Senior Executive Council Kungfu With regard to the injuries with with one of the Centre’s instructors in Member International University of your hands, any soft martial art or Qigong Sheffield, you can contact John Spinetto Martial Arts IUMA should help. on: 0114 286 3285 http://www.maxpages.com/shaolinunion When you ask about developing Michael Tse energy in Wing Chun, I think you are Baguazhang Dear Mr Tse For the last four years or so I have been learning under a qualified AA Lighter Lighter Body Body instructor in Sheffield. The instruction is of a very high standard and I am very happy with my experience, development I have heard reference to the term “Light Body”. This is mentioned as a and my teacher who is extremely result of high level training in Hard Qigong. I have also heard that Hung Gar accomplished and helpful. Kung Fu training can lead to developing a Light Body. I would be grateful if However I have a few questions, you could tell me more about it, and where I can find out more about it. which my instructor has been unable to Thomas Bradley answer relating to other martial arts. For quite some time I have been Dear Thomas interested in trying to learn You arequite correct. High level Hard Qigong training does create a “light Baguazhang. As one of the three major body”. However this does not mean that the body weighs less. internal martial arts it has always struck Hard Qigong training uses the Qi to train both the internal body and the me as very practical for self-defence but outer body i.e. bones, muscles and skin become strong. First of all you we make also fascinating in its movements and the internal body healthy as in any Qigong training this is the most important its emphasis on palm techniques. (I thing. Then the Qi is directed to the muscles, skin and then the bones. The training suffered a hand injury when young and makes the body healthy, strong and then light. Some high level masters are able struggle with fist techniques with my left to stand on balloons without bursting them and also on a sheet of paper supported hand). So far I have been unable to find at the edges in a frame. any instructors based in the North of Unfortunately I do not know about Hung Gar training, but perhaps some England. Do you know of any and is it a of our readers may be able to help you with this. martial art which would be beneficial Best wishes to learn at the same time as Wing Chun? Michael Tse

Qi Magazine Mar/Apr 2002 page 5 News:::::News::::: Demos Demos & & Seminars Seminars students ask me, “When you go to see good standard and I was very happy to Visiting your teacher does she teach you more see this. skill?” I just laugh and reply that I don’t, In the Wing Chun class, I did Chi I go to pay my respects and we talk and Sau (Sticking Hands) with everyone, Grandmaster enjoy seeing each other. from beginners to seniors. It was very Of course I study with my teacher good training with them all. and learn Qigong from her, but this is One student asked me, “Are we Yang Meijun not the reason I go to see her each time. doing the original Wing Chun?” This is We are like family and there is a lot a very interesting more than just question. My answer Qigong skill I was “yes.” The skill can learn from was passed down her. She is a from Ip Man to his treasure from son Ip Chun who in the old time turn taught me. We and when I am are doing the same with her I am as he and his father. happy. However any W h e n type of skill in the my Taiji teacher world will change as Grandmaster we try to make it Chen Xiaowang better and better, so asked me “How in certain is your Qigong circumstances it will change, but the teacher?” I principle never changes. replied, “She is Before Ip Man, the skill might fine and have been slightly different. This is h e a l t h y . because in those days, people did not Everyday is a do Sticking Hands with people from the Every time I go to visit my teacher, bonus for her and she enjoys everyday.” West. Western people are generally Grandmaster Yang Meijun I am very His face broke in to a large warm smile bigger and stronger than Chinese excited. For me it is like going home to that came straight from his heart. people. So in the old times in Foshan, see my mother. I don’t mean that I just I also went to see another of my China, the Wing Chun skill was only used go and see my Mother because it makes teachers Grandmaster Wu Chun Yuen. against Chinese people, those people me feel like child again. I sit down with He teaches me Shaolin Kung Fu. His spirit who did not know Wing Chun, or just her and listen to her and she shows me is still high and very strong. Although practised with other Wing Chun brothers how much she cares and loves me, just sometimes he find he is a little stiffer, and sisters. like when I was young, so I feel like a but at 74 years old he still practises Today, there are more than one child again. everyday. million people practising Wing Chun. So Today my teacher is 105 years Today I practise and teach skills the skill has to be able to deal with much old. Although she is still healthy, it is like Damo Staff, Great Sadness Gong, bigger and stronger people. However the hard for me to see her getting older. Five Tiger Broadsword and other skill is still simple and direct and uses as Her eating habits are sometimes a little dynamic exercises that come from him. little energy as possible to defeat the irregular and sometimes she eats 5 times A lot of things he has taught me I still opponent. Therefore Wing Chun is a day. Her favourite is dumplings “Jiao cannot reach his standard and so I need suitable for all kinds of people, not just Zi”. She still sleeps very well and does a to keep practising more. those who are muscular and big. The lot of meditation, she also likes to talk skill is moving forward in this direction. to her students. This is the same as technology. It In the past, one of my Qigong Wimbledon should become more advanced and brothers, Cai Gui Jiang took care of her. Visiting the Wimbledon class gave better, but it should not go off the Now some of my other Qigong brothers, me a very warm feeling. The instructor principle. Wang Tai LI, Da Hong and Xiao Hong here is John Hayes. John is my earliest take care of her. I am very pleased that student and he has been studying with they are there to help as I live so far me for over 13 years. We are very close, Leeds away, just like her eldest son Da Shu. like family. Martin Gale is registered blind. Every two weeks I call her on the During the Qigong class we went He has only 40% vision in one eye and telephone and every year I go and see through the Balancing Gong exercises the other is completely blind, however her to pay my respects. Often my own together. All the students had a very this does not stop him and he has been page 6 Qi Magazine Mar/Apr 2002 studying with me for over seven years. does not matter, but I do not think this, He is now an instructor and teaches a and I am sure most other people and class in Leeds. He is very happy running cultures believe that when a person dies, New Courses his own class and enjoys it a lot. All his they still feel certain things and it takes students are very nice and their level of time for a person to realise that they In addition to the previously skill is coming along well. When I went are no longer living. They need to go announced seminar timetable for to see them recently, we all through a certain 2002, the Tse Qigong Centre has sat down and they had a lot procedure to end it. added a number of additional courses of questions that they For example, when to the list. Many of the exercises to wanted to ask me. One you finish work you be taught have never been taught in question in particular was cannot just turn off public before and have only ever been about “Shou Gong” and your computer shown in demonstrations. The new why it was so important to without going course are: do. My answer was, that through a certain having a good beginning routine. If we go was not as important as through this, then Wing Chun Chi Sau having a good ending. we make sure 17 March 2002 Therefore Shou Gong is very everything is all 18/19 May 2002 important as it comes at the right before we turn end of all the exercise. If you off. It is the same The secret to having good Wing have a good ending, then when we die. I Chun skill is to Chi Sau with as when the next thing begins, cannot believe that many different people as you can. this will also be good because everything we just turn off and do not feel anything. These course are ideal for all levels. is connected. A good ending is like dying This is probably why many religions and under good circumstances, for example, cultures do not allow a body to be moved Yang Family Spear when you are sleeping peacefully, quietly for a certain time after death, some for 13/14 April 2002 sitting, standing or even during a about three days, to let the person do conversation. There are old people in what they have to do, so they can have 12/13 October 2002 China I have come across who know a good ending. A dynamic and beautiful form that when they are going to die. They make During the Wing Chun class combines staff techniques together preparations and take care of someone asked, “How does Wing Chun with those unique to the spear. everything, go and see all their friends deal with grappling on the floor?” and relatives they need to see, and then When we study Wing Chun we Never before taught in public. within a week go so they go peacefully. do not expect to go to the floor. Wing This is a good ending, unlike others who Chun is good for close distance, standing FiveTiger Broadsword have a problem and cannot cope with fighting and dealing with more than one 15/16 June 2002 the thought of death. opponent. If you concentrate on pulling Today many people die in a person to the floor, what would Green Dragon Sword hospital. Once you stop breathing and happen if he had friends with him, they 27/28 July 2002 your heart has stopped beating they would easily kick you. So in this situation pronounce you are dead. Then standing up is better. Once you are close One of the most spectacular sword according to some accounts, they treat and touch hands, then this is your area forms. Not only does one have to you like a piece of meat and move your and you should be able to control it. So master the sword, but also there is a body about without any thought or the Wing Chun practitioner needs to be long tassel, which must be controlled feeling. Some people might think that it good at Chi Sau. and used to great effect. A stunning form, never before taught in public. Everyday we receive many letters from people all over the world, sometimes asking for advice, sometimes just sharing their experience. Unless specifically asked otherwise, we will consider these Hard Qigong letters for possible publication in Qi Magazine. In this way, we all come together like a family and share and help each other. That is the reason I began Qi Magazine and particularly the PO Box. Level I - Michael Tse 19/20 October 2002 If there is anything you wish to share with others, any news or any announcements you would like to By popular demand, the first level of make, send them to us. We also welcome articles (800 - 1000 words in length) on topics Hard Qigong, for those who want to appropriate. develop strong and powerful Qi. Please write to:

UK USA For information on any of these Qi Magazine Tse Qigong Centre courses, please contact the Tse PO Box 59, PO Box 15807, Qigong Centre: 0161 929 4485 Altrincham WA15 8FS. UK. Honolulu, HI 96830. USA. email [email protected] email [email protected]

Qi Magazine Mar/Apr 2002 page 7 recovered and went back to their normal all animals are equal and so it is not Julian Wilde, invited me for a Chinese monks lives. The three men never knew good to kill them. dinner with all the other students. He what had happened. However, in this situation, the knew that I ate meat, and so all the In the last editorial I wrote about animals were already dead and the Dim Sum he ordered were meat dishes. honesty and said that this was one of three men had invited them to thank We all ate them together and I did not the fundamental elements for a person. them for saving their lives. If the Abbot know he was a vegetarian, I only found I think to be a decent person, you should had refused to eat and told them they out later. This made me think about the be honest. However, if your honesty will were vegetarian, the three men would Abbot. cause others Today we have so many laws to suffer or and rules in our society. Until we know even cause how to behave and think about our them to die, actions and what problems they might then your “When we know how cause for other people we will always honest has a have them. When we know how to problem. If behave, all these laws and rules will you lie to save to behave, rules are no longer be important. This is a s o m e o n e ’ s Confucian philosophy, “Things that life, then this you do not like to happen to yourself, is good. not important.” you should not do them to others.” So, the A lot of the time in the West it outcome for is like one big party. Everyone is other people is the most important thing, have felt very guilty and they next time, thinking about having a good time. But not whether you are being honest or they would have tried to do even more only a few people will think about who lying. So long as what you do is not for for the monks. prepared the party and who is going to yourself, and the outcome is good, then So the Abbot preferred to sacrifice clean up the mess after the party has this is good. If the outcome is bad, then their rules and let the monks suffer a finished. Not many people like to be it is wrong. little, to make the smooth over situation. responsible and take care of the rest. I This is what the Abbot knew. He This is very high level and this hope that one day this will change and lied to save the three men’s life. So even behaviour has nothing to do with we will all be better off. though he lied which is against Buddhist religion. It is about how to be a better teaching, he was thinking helping about person, to always think about others first other people. He also knew he should and the outcome of your actions. not eat meat, as this also breaks the I remember I once taught a rules of Buddhism as Buddhist believe seminar in Norwich and my student,

Tse Qigong Centre UK PO Box 59 Altrincham WA15 8FS 0845 838 2285 +44 161 929 4485 [email protected]

page 8 Qi Magazine Mar/Apr 2002 Once the static single handed push hands has become familiar most students will want to move relatively quickly onto the static double handed push hands, as this sequence is central to most of the push hands work that comes later. PushingPushing Hands Hands 3 3 he two hands sequence is a than the single handed set and there is Meanwhile person “B” is: development from the one hand a clear relationship between the two, • Stance - back stance, weight 70% T sequence. Much that is learnt in but if you do not start slowly and break the one hand sequence has direct it down until all the details are fixed it in the back leg relevance for the two handed sequence. may seem too complex. It is well worth • Direction - diagonal, 45º to the right The basic stances and the the time and effort of drilling this • Right arm - the right hand is holding movements of the body are almost the sequence by numbers until it is firmly person “A’s” right hand or wrist. The same. It is important that turning waist ingrained. It will be the basis of most hand is over “A’s” and the palm is is well grounded from the single handed other push hands work. down. The elbow is down set and one should not move on from this set unless it is. This is because the • Left arm - the left wrist is against complexity of the two hand sequence can Step 1 “A’s” right elbow. The palm is facing hide the absence of this fundamental right with the fingers pointing up. Person “A” pushes forward and skill. Without the waist turn no one ever Back of the hand against “A’s” left person “B” moves their weight into their develops to a high level. hand back leg while pulling person “A” in. At

The static double handed push C the start of the push person “A” has the • Energy - lu

hands sequence starts in exactly the h initiative but as the move extends person As “B” pulls “A” in they should same way as the single handed set. “B” takes control and begins pulling in. feel when “A’s” left arm reinforces the e Partners stand, feet together, facing each Person “B’s” left arm twines against “A’s” right elbow protecting it from being n other and set the distance. The arms are broken, when this happens they should elbow, threatening to lock or break it. extended forward so that they are T As person “A” feels themselves losing the abandon the pull in and move on to the knuckle to knuckle or palm to palm. At a initiative their left hand should twine next step. full extension partners are literally at i

from person “B’s” elbow to their own, j arms reach from each other. Both i

this should be soon enough to prevent q partners turn their right feet 60º to the “B” from seriously threatening the elbow. Step 2 u side and then step their left feet forwards Once the lock/break of “A’s” right and slightly to the left. The feet should arm is blocked “B” turns to the left, a be shoulder width apart and the left feet releases “A’s” right hand and brings their n of the partners should be parallel to each right hand to “A’s” left elbow ready to other. The weighting should be equal. push. As “B” does this “A” turns their Now the hands are raised. As waist and twines their right arm to the with the single hand set the right hands right, rolling it under “B’s” left arm, are raised and placed wrist to wrist at bringing their hand to “B’s” left elbow. the centre point. Now the left wrists are placed on the partners’ right elbows. Person “A” will now be: The arms should form a yin yang symbol, • Stance - front stance, weight forward, with the left arms and the upper right 70% in front leg arms forming the outer circle and the • Direction - square on, facing person right fore-arms forming the elliptical “B” division of the circle. At this point both • Right arm - straight forward with the partners are in balance 50% yin and 50% Person “A” will now be: palm facing up and cupping “B’s” yang. This point of balance will be • Stance - front stance, weight forward, left elbow passed through again in the movement 70% in front leg • Left arm - the upper arm is forward of the sequence but as with the single • Direction - diagonal, facing 45º to and the fore-arm is angled across handed set each partner takes it in turn the left the front of the body so that the left to be yin and then yang as they move • Right arm - forward with the palm hand rests on the inside of the right through the sequence. facing back elbow. The palm of the left hand is The static double handed • Left arm - tucked inside with the wrist up and the ridge of the thumb sequence can be broken down into four tucked into the elbow and the palm knuckle should hook over “B’s” right moves. Each of these should have very facing back and slightly up. The ridge wrist clearly defined stances, directions and of the left thumb knuckle should • Energy - peng hand positions. If you take the sequence hook over person “B’s” left hand • Person “B” is: step by step, it is not much more complex • Energy - ji

Qi Magazine Mar/Apr 2002 page 9 Person “A” is: the left, rolling it under “A’s” right arm, • Stance - back stance, weight 70% bringing their hand to “A’s” right elbow. in the back leg Person “A” is: • Direction - diagonal, 45º to the left • Stance - back stance, weight 70% • Right arm - the left wrist is against in the back leg “B’s” right elbow. The palm is facing • Direction - square on, facing person left with the fingers pointing up. Back “B” of the hand against “B’s” right hand • Right arm - the right arm is forward • Left arm - the left hand is holding with the elbow down and the wrist is person “B’s” left hand or wrist. The against “B’s” right wrist. The palm is facing left and slightly down with the fingers pointing slightly forwards and up • Left arm - the left arm is forward, with the elbow down and the hand on top of “B’s” right elbow. The palm is to the right and slightly down with the fingers pointing slightly forward • Stance - back stance, weight 70% and up in the back leg • Direction - square on, facing person • Energy - an “A” Person “B” will now be: • Right arm - the right arm is forward, with the elbow down and the hand • Stance - front stance, weight forward, on top of “A’s” left elbow. The palm 70% in front leg is to the left and slightly down with hand is over “B’s” and the palm is the fingers pointing slightly forward down. The elbow is down and up • Left arm - the left arm is forward • Energy - lu with the elbow down and the wrist is Person “B” is: against “A’s” left wrist. The palm is facing right and slightly down with • Stance - front stance, weight forward, the fingers pointing slightly forwards 70% in front leg and up • Direction - diagonal, facing 45º to • Energy - an the right Person “B” is now in a position to • Right arm - tucked inside with the begin pushing forwards. Person “A” wrist tucked into the elbow and the should wait for “B” to start pushing palm facing back and slightly up. forwards. As “B” pushes forwards the The ridge of the left thumb knuckle two partners pass through the starting • Direction - square on, facing person should hook over person “A’s” right position but this time person “B” has the “A” hand initiative until “A” begins to pull. • Right arm - the upper arm is forward The sequence now repeats but • Left arm - forward with the palm facing back and the fore-arm is angled across with “A” and “B” in opposite roles. the front of the body so that the right • Energy - ji hand rests on the inside of the left As “A” pulls “B” in they should elbow. The palm of the right hand is Step 3 feel when “B’s” right arm reinforces the up and the ridge of the thumb Person “B” pushes forward and left elbow protecting it from being knuckle should hook over “A’s” left person “A” moves into their back leg broken, when this happens they should wrist abandon the pull in and move on to the while pulling person “B” in. At the start • Left arm - straight forward with the of the push person “B” has the initiative next step. palm facing up and cupping “A’s” but as it extends person “A” takes control right elbow and begins pulling “B” in. Person “A’s” left arm twines against “B’s” elbow, Step 4 • Energy - peng threatening to lock or break it. As person Once the lock/break of “B’s” left Person “A” is now in a position to “B” feels themselves losing the initiative arm is blocked “A” takes the initiative to begin pushing forwards. Person “B” their right hand should twine from move on to the next move. “A” turns to should wait for “A” to start pushing person “B’s” elbow to their own left the right, releases “A’s” left hand and forwards. As “A” pushes forwards the two elbow, this should be soon enough to brings their left hand to “B’s” right elbow partners pass through the starting prevent “A” from seriously threatening ready to push. As “A” does this “B” turns position and the sequence repeats the elbow. their waist and twines their left arm to by Glenn Gossling [email protected] page 10 Qi Magazine Mar/Apr 2002 High cholesterol levels have been a concern of a lot of people for many years. It seems as though this is a modern day problem caused by modern day living. However, there are old treatments that can help today. High Cholesterol & TCM he heart and cardiovascular system respectively. These statistics will remain Ning Hong and Tian Yan Losing is one of the largest and most unless every individual takes charge of Weight tea is also good for lowering Timportant of our body. This system’s his/ her health by examining his/her diet cholesterol. major function is to deliver oxygen and and lifestyle. Some herbal patents are also vital nutrients to cells throughout the A major cause of heart disease is good for keeping cholesterol at normal, body, while helping to remove waste high cholesterol levels in the blood. This healthy levels: products from the cells. We obviously happens when there is too much 1. Shou Wu Wan (8 pills 3 need healthy hearts to maintain healthy cholesterol in the diet, as well as other times a day): These pills also nourish the bodies. Unfortunately, in this country we factors such as high stress levels, smoking Liver and Kidney, and if they are taken are doing a very poor job of keeping cigarettes and drinking lots of coffee and long term, they also nourish the hair. our hearts healthy. Heart disease and refined sugar. 2. Dan Shen Pian: These help strokes are this country’s number-one Chinese herbs and remedies are to keep blood flowing smoothly, while

e and number-three good for preventing heart problems by helping to clean any fat and stasis from

n leading killers, reducing cholesterol, lowering high the blood vessel walls. They are also i good for treating c i varicose veins. d e “A major cause of Case M History:

e A 68 year s heart disease is high old lady first e came to my clinic n in July 2000 with i high cholesterol h cholesterol levels due

C levels. Apart

from this, she was l g e n e r a l l y a

n to diet & high stress healthy. Due to

o the lack of i symptoms and in t i levels.” light of her age, d I felt that her a problem was r related to weak Liver and Kidney T blood pressure, and can even help in losing weight. We use the following essence. I therefore prescribed a month’s herbs and preparations in our clinic: supply of Shou Wu Wan for her, as well Dan Shen: This comes as a as some Dan Shen powder. concentrated herbal powder, of which When she came back, she 2-3 teaspoons is made in the same way reported that her cholesterol levels were that you would make coffee. This is slightly down, and that she had noticed especially useful for those who are that her hair, which had been falling generally tired and stressed in addition out prior to taking the medicine, had to high cholesterol levels. stopped falling out. As she was travelling Shan Zha: A tea may be made long distances to come to the clinic, I with 5-6 pieces of this herbs; it is suitable prescribed another 2 months of for people who have high cholesterol medicine. At the end of the 2 months, and digestive problems. she returned and described with Yi Yi Ren: This is made up as you happiness how her cholesterol levels would make rice pudding and is good were back to normal. An added bonus for people who have high cholesterol was that her grey hair had become and are overweight. darker! by Dr. Shulan Tang. [email protected]

page 12 Qi Magazine Mar/Apr 2002 TrueTrue Feng Feng Shui Shui

the world is in a constant state of Classical Chinese Feng Shui is a metaphysical science change but that it was not changing originating in China thousands of years ago. It is used to draw at random. In fact it was changing according to a regular pattern. in the energy of our living environment and make the best Time, in fact, is a part of what possible use of this energy to our advantage. we call change. It is through this that we begin to see that both time and space are extremely important in ubtle energy exists in everything everywhere. This Feng Shui. (In other words, being in the right place at the invisible energy is real. Think of energy waves that right time!) Objects can fill a once empty space of a room, belong to radios, mobile phones, televisions, the the proportion of a room then distorts the space of a house Internet. These energy waves produce moving pictures and the house distorts the space of a street and so on. So on a screen, give people the ability to communicate space becomes just as important too. This exists everywhere, Sat great distances, and to hear music, etc. surrounding and interacting with all matter. Good Feng Shui can create opportunities, attract Physical shape becomes important, as does the energy goodwill to the home, give careers a boost but more or life force. The effect of direction, position and the importantly, deal with health. Bad Feng Shui of a property whereabouts of a hill, a tree, a tall building or water all can cause illness, unhappiness and can result in tragic become important. consequences for people who dwell in the building. The West has lost its capacity to perceive and feel this Geographical Direction 360° universal energy (Qi or life force), since the industrial and Each degree carries its own influence and strength. scientific revolution has created a materialistic bias which looks Imagine yourself tuning in a radio or TV to a particular station. at and interprets the world in terms of matter and ”building By doing this you want to gain the optimum reception and blocks”. In short - money and possessions. This has led to signal. Feng Shui being divided into different schools of thought, It was the Chinese who actually invented the compass, which has created confusion for many beginners to the subject. not for sea faring but to measure direction and the nature of The Feng Shui I study and practise is the most advanced Qi. Using a Chinese lo-pan (compass) stresses the importance style and is taught by Master Chan Kun Wah, who himself of a precise measurement of a direction. The reading that is has been studying and researching his work for 40 years taken then explains the relationship of the five elements to now, and is one of the top five Imperial Yuen Hom Masters in the property and how they relate to each other and of course the world. The information passed from Master to student is the occupants themselves. highly complex and specialised. Precise mathematical calculations are worked out and Genuine and authentic Feng Shui has its origins in the this determines how a person’s life is affected. Yijing (a Chinese classic – ”Book of Changes”). To the ancient The lo-pan is in effect a miniature computer packed Chinese everything in the world was governed by the law of with information. Just like a DNA blueprint of life. Incidentally, yin and yang and the five elements. The belief existed that

Qi Magazine Mar/Apr 2002 page 13 the DNA is made up of 64 parts. Interestingly, the Yijing Having looked at the Feng Shui of the house and consists of 64 hexagrams! Feng Shui has its origins in the making certain calculations from my lo- pan, I realised that Yijing. Julie’s room was in a particular sector that carried some strong energy. Too powerful even for some adults. Looking out at A Feng Shui Consultation An urban myth that has built up around Feng Shui in recent years is that the interior of a house or flat has areas that are given names according to an aspect of life e.g. career, relationships, etc. and that a set formula of tips will provide the desired result. This approach has more to do with creative visualisation and western ideal than authentic Chinese medical science. In actual fact it is the outside of a property that influences the power and weight of a Feng Shui consultation. (About 70% of a consultation concerns the exterior of a property). How the energy flows and how it enters the building determines how the interior will be affected. Also each property is unique and will have its very own Feng Shui. No two properties will be the same whatever the circumstances, and as such, each property will have its own unique feel and its own set of calculations and recommendations according to Feng Shui. One other point to make, and this is something of extreme importance - the people. How the property interacts with the occupants will also give it a unique feel because every property has different occupants. Chue Style Feng Shui has its origins in the Yijing and its essence and ability lies in the understanding of the physics and metaphysics of the planet. Energy - It is a science, a medical science. Feng Shui interprets the energies of a property exactly as a Chinese doctor will tend to a patient by taking their pulse and looking at their tongue and facial appearance for a diagnosis. A Feng Shui practitioner will do exactly the same kind of diagnosis with a house. Through observation of the property and its surroundings and through the use of a lo-pan, a practitioner will assess the health of the property. It must be emphasised that the property has a the view from her window, in the next door neighbour’s tremendous influence over the occupants who live there. In garden, there was an ominous looking tree which had an whatever shape health wise and energetically the house is in, unusual branch which grew horizontally and then bent round then this will be reflected in the occupants’ lives. slightly in the direction of Julie’s bedroom window. In effect it Human beings are extremely good receivers and looked like the tree was pointing at the window! conductors of energy. Each human being is made up of 60- I explained that if it were possible for Julie to use 70 trillion cells. Each cell is like a powerful miniature satellite another room, this would be more beneficial. The parents dish. (Place your finger on a radio antenna when there is were quick to agree to this and in actual fact gave Julie their interference and you’ll see what I mean!) Therefore genuine room while they moved into Julie’s room. and authentic Feng Shui is an important and serious Something quite remarkable happened at breakfast consideration. the next morning. Without any prompting and with the usual morning routine going quite smoothly, Julie piped up quite True Stories cheerfully, ”My bad dreams flew out of the window this The property I lived in in Brockley, southeast London, morning”. From that time on she became more comfortable had a particularly yin quality about it and was quite dimly lit and happy by simply being in a new room. Ironically the even when the lighting was on. father himself began to have more vivid dreams. I was lodging there at the time and living with a couple Normally after having a consultation and carrying out and their young daughter Julie aged 4. Julie appeared to the recommendations, a time span of approximately three have a weak constitution, catching colds, etc. At bedtime she months is usual for the energy to settle and the re-balanced would have difficulty in accepting this and would be influence to begin to have an effect. particularly clingy to her mother. Most young children can be A story of my Master’s concerns a lady who owns a like this but Julie suffered from this acutely. She did not like management company in Edinburgh. This lady had worked her bedroom and suffered from nightmares. This compounded in Hong Kong where she worked in a building that was opposite the problem. the Bank of China tower with one of its sharp angles pointing at her desk. The Chinese staff refused to sit there and for

Qipage Magazine 14 Qi Magazine 14 Mar/Apr 2002 some reason the job never went smoothly for her. This made the open plan office where there were 24 desks arranged. He her aware of Feng Shui. pointed out four desks and said, ”Those four desks account Back in Scotland sometime later and having built up a for bringing in 60 per cent of your business”. successful business there was a year where things had started Anthony was amazed because he was spot on. to go wrong. She decided to call in Master Chan Kun Wah. Apparently the way the desks were arranged only four were Certain recommendations were simply based on common getting the benefits of the energy. He was asked to put a fish sense e.g. tightening loose door handles. The front door was tank into the office, pot plants on the desks, re-hang the painted yellow based on five-element theory and how the front door so it opened differently and put a water feature in colour related to the building. Two basement areas were the reception area. As for the previous month of hardship, identified as the company’s treasure chest but the decor and Master Chan put that down to two pictures of waves that clutter were not good. One room became a pleasant reception Anthony had recently put up in the entrance hall, the way the room and the other with a new colour became the lady’s pictures were positioned showed the water, which represents office. wealth, flowing out of the door. A gourd, which had been brought in a second hand Anthony did the work that was recommended and shop in Hong Kong, was painted gold and hung up on a things got better and it was no longer the people at the four particular day of support for the lady. (A gourd carries much desks that were bringing in the bulk of the work. However, significance in China, relating to health). The year following there was still something that worried Anthony about his legal the consultation was extremely successful for the company, department. gaining some big contracts and with profits increasing five Having approached Master Chan with this he was fold. reminded that he had not done everything he had been told. This story concerns how a business can be improved. He hadn’t changed the side on which the women’s toilet door Anthony Tomkins, a founding director of Charles Fellowes was hung. ”I hadn’t done it because it was in the corridor Partnership, called in Master Chan. Anthony runs a recruitment outside the office and therefore belonged to the landlord. I consultancy based in Birmingham. It specialises in recruiting got it changed that weekend.” lawyers, surveyors, accountants and teachers. On the Monday morning three people handed in their He had decided that something was not quite right in notice from the law recruitment team. Anthony panicked. He his company. There was nothing tangible that he could put was criticised over his use of Feng Shui. However, looking at his finger on, but he felt his staff were not happy and the the overall picture and with the benefit of hindsight he has staff turnover was also quite high. He had tried more since realised that sometimes things will get worse before conventional ways of retaining his staff like introducing they get better. Indeed, the people who left have been replaced by people who Anthony describes as stars! Now the company is operating financially much better than before and the spark that Anthony thought was lacking is back. Anthony believes that Feng Shui works, ”But you don’t have to believe in it for it to work either. It’s a very pragmatic thing”, he said. He is looking to expand the partnership – but “You don’t have not without a Feng Shui consultation first. As we can see there are benefits to be had in whatever form they take. Things that are connected in unexpected ways to believe in it for or coincidences Carl Jung called ”synchronicity”. (When you think of someone and they phone or something you might be seeking and the answer is in a newspaper or magazine). it to work.” Genuine, authentic Feng Shui can introduce experiences into your life associated with synchronicity. This is not a form of symbolic decoration or superstition but an ancient art form, a martial art, of choosing the best way to orient yourself with pension schemes, private health schemes and water machines nature and its energies so as to tread a more fortuitous path. in the office. However, there was still a niggling feeling that something was not right. Choosing A Practitioner Having researched the subject of Feng Shui by asking It is only natural to know of someone’s qualifications various companies who had had consultations, the best and credentials especially in the alternative field of health recommendation he had was for Master Chan Kun Wah. He practitioners. was generally impressed with his consultation. Find out who the person has studied with and for how ”It was very hard to put down what the problem in the long. What style of Feng Shui? Has the person taken an exam? company was. It just lacked spark so I thought that Feng Shui Does the person belong to a governing body (i.e. Overseas might be a good way of dealing with it”. Chinese Horoscopes and Feng Shui Research Association). ”It was like feeling run down but without specific Can the person read the lo- pan ring by ring and explain symptoms, so deciding to go to a homoeopath rather than a what each character means and what it can be used for. Ask doctor”. about qualifications and references In the month before the consultation the company had By Ian Wallace been through a terrible time financially. Ian is a qualified graduate of Master Chan Kun Wah and is a member of the Master Chan did a thorough assessment of the Overseas Chinese Horoscopes and Feng Shui Research Association. He can be company. Anthony explained that Master Chan walked into contacted on: 020 8744 1339 0773 3460 347

Qi Magazine Mar/Apr 2002 page 15 I used to work for an American…that sounds funny coming from an American, but it was o . t when I lived in London and there were fewer of us about. He was a high energy ‘mover and shaker’. s He knew how to bring up people’s excitement for an idea or a project and had some of the biggest firmsd agreeing to support the plans of our little company. I learned to work hard with him. Hours g and hours of hard work, always doing something. o u

o F l

e CreationC in Stillness

h He was using his pre-natal life energy ooking back, though, I wonder how Stillness does not mean t e and exhausting himself. Illness was his much of that was moving forward ineffectual nor does stillness mean body’s only defence mechanism to force or just splashingh about in one place introverted or closed. It is a quiet time L him to stillness. and creatingt a fuss to be noticed. It to let things happen internally so that g If we balance both internal and seems to be society’s mantra…’do the body and mind can act with clarity external, then we can have stillness even something,n ber busy.’ when the time for movement comes. This when we are moving. We just have to i Many people confuse stillness is why meditation is so important. Most o let go and focus fully on that present witht weakness and think of power only of us find it one of the more difficult f moment, instead of thinking of the past as movinga and doing. Creation is fine parts of our practice to maintain or even or planning for the future. My neighbour andr also necessary, but to give birth to build, myself included. I just get set on once came upon me watering the garden anything, therek has to be a time of a schedule and then travel somewhere a and startled me as I was so intent on gestation, a time of nurturing and and find myself thrown off. This what I was doing. She apologised and protecting. Ifo we are constantly moving, readjustment takes its time and toll as I p a b asked,c “Is watering the garden some kind our energy nevero has time to settle and find myself losing some of the harmony e of meditation to you?” I had never there is little time for reflection forward, I had gathered. I believe the high level thought about it before, but it was backwardS orL even sideways. Without is to carry that harmony with you no because I was totally there, using that stillness, there will no time for measuring matter where or what you do. quiet time to relax and enjoy. Often our how far we have gone or That means you have to find time minds are not where our bodies are. whether have we to be still no matter A student once asked me in a done it in a good who way. More seminar about walking meditation. I was g importantly, with perhaps a bit too narrow-minded in my n answer and said that this was not really i c o n s t a n t meditation in Qigong terms as it did not n movement, there i is no time for gather Qi. Now I think that this can be a a type of meditation, it just means

r resting the soul. broadening the definition of meditation.

T A mountain is a If meditation means letting go of the e mind and relaxing the body, then with

f symbol of great i strength and is a the right intent, you can have walking L guidepost on the meditation. It will be a different landscape. It is meditation than one in which you are also a spiritual standing or sitting for the purpose of symbol of being cultivating and storing Qi. This is close to heaven. because when we move, we both release In Feng Shui, the and gather Qi. Like breathe in, breathe out. For Qigong, we want to store the ancient Chinese you Qi from our practice so that it can heal skill of energy study, the are or what you our illness and open the channels in the mountain is a protector and can support do. It is only in stillness that we can body. a home, a business and even protect reflect and find understanding of Sometimes because of our lack the lineage of an emperor if his ourselves and the world around us. It is of attention, a task can take three times ancestors are buried in the right place. only in stillness that there can be as long to complete and hence drain As such, it is a thing to be creation, creation of Qi and the creation our energy. If instead we try to plan, respected both for its stability and innate of ideas and plans. If we do not have ‘these two hours I will concentrate for power. The mountain is showy just by its the time for resting our minds and work and these next two hours I will use sheer immovability and of secrets still bodies, then when the time comes for for enjoyment or cultivation’, then we hidden from mere humans. The action, we will easily be exhausted. Like will probably be twice as productive in mountains were where Daoists and my former American boss; we would both activities. Buddhist alike went for refuge and work like mad people until a deadline Like the Daoists say, everything cultivation. They are still where was met or a holiday came. At that time, in life is both Yin and Yang, both remaining Tibetans will pilgrimage for more often than not, he would end up supporting and taking from each other. a spiritual journey. Although a mountain in the hospital with a kidney complaint We cannot have one without the other seems to be still, it too is growing and or ill in bed with a very bad cold or flu. changing and adapting. by Sihnkei [email protected]

page 16 Qi Magazine Mar/Apr 2002 page 18 Qi Magazine Mar/Apr 2002 Everyone’sEveryone’s KungKung Fu Fu Fighting!Fighting!

Martial arts attract people from all walks of life. This means that there is something universally appealing about them. However, the drop out rate is very high, so does this mean the classes people attend do not fulfil their expectations , or maybe being a martial artist is not quite as easy as they thought it would be?

hy do people take up martial arts? There are and strength will lessen. Just a fact of life I am afraid! many reasons; health, fitness, the ability to However, if you study a high level martial art you will be able defend one’s self, etc. Many people say they defend yourself well in to your autumn years. Why, because want to learn how to fight! Actually, anyone high level martial arts, like Wing Chun, rely on skill rather can learn how to fight: you do not need to than muscle and rapier like reactions. Wstudy a martial art! You could just go in to a dodgy bar, etc., I studied a number of martial arts at various schools and pick a fight with someone! When people say they want before I finally found Wing Chun. Most involved sparring. In to learn to fight they really mean they want to learn not to many cases sparring ended up being closer to fighting. So get beaten up! Very few people really want to inflict pain skill tended to get marred by fear and aggression. This did and suffering on other people. not suit me, as I always knew that there would be someone With many ‘martial’ arts, you effectively learn by getting faster, stronger, and more aggressive than me. Also, I did hurt! If you train very hard your body will take a lot of damage. not want to invest my time in something that I could not You are less likely to get this much damage if you get mugged! enjoy when I was older. Eventually, I found Wing Chun, which Many fighting arts (and martial artists) only concentrate on after eight years still impresses me with its simplicity and external fitness - running, push ups, etc. Many people injure profoundness. Every year I find myself on a continuing journey themselves by training in this way! of discovery, always learning something new. So if your goal is to be healthy then getting beaten A high level Wing Chun practitioner can easily defend repeatedly each week will not help. Also, if you get hurt each himself or herself against a much stronger opponent. For week then you will be scared, which leads to anxiety, which example, I weigh about 45 lbs. more than my Sifu (teacher), again is not healthy, as you will be tense. Martial arts that Michael Tse, and am several inches taller. He is over a decade depend on strength and speed only work for people that are older than I am, but I still cannot touch him! So it has to be young, healthy, and strong. As you get older, your speed skill. To emphasise the point further; my Sigong (teacher’s

Qi Magazine Mar/Apr 2002 page 19 do before they do it), footwork, and positioning, through Chi Sau. Hence, when they move you have already repositioned yourself, so as to neutralise the threat and give yourself the better position. This is why many people believe that Wing Chun practitioners are so fast. We are not! It is just that we can sense what the other person is going to do before they do it and that we are relaxed. So, we have already moved, before the other person has completed their movement. Some people will say that a lifetime of studying martial arts will give you lightening reflexes. This may be true, but I would argue that it gives you more in the way of skill and the ability to stay calm and relaxed than physical speed. My Sigong is almost eighty. You cannot tell me now that he is quicker and stronger than he was at 18. No, he has attained greater skill. He sees and knows more. He has Chi Sau’ed with thousands of people, hence it is highly unlikely that anything an opponent does Grandmaster Ip Chun strikes Peter’s chest will be something that he has not “Being a seen, or dealt with before! This is why when he gives fighter means seminars he is not afraid to Chi Sau with anyone. This brings that you do not me back to the point about the difference between mind hurting being a fighter and learning a martial art. At people.” one of his seminars my Sigong was asked if learning Peter attempts to counter.. Wing Chun would teach them to fight. He answered the gentleman by saying that ‘being a fighter means that you do not mind hurting people and you do not mind getting hurt’. At another seminar he was asked ‘have you ever used your skill in a fight?’. Sigong laughed and then said ‘when I was growing up I was the son of Yip Man, so nobody would start a fight with me. Then I went to work and did not take up Wing Chun again until my mid-thirties. What kind of a person gets in a fight at thirty? So to answer your question, no I have never been in a fight. So you tell me if I am any good?’. No one had been able to touch Sigong at the seminar, so there was no question of his skill! If there are points that I hope people will take away from reading this article they are:

· Any martial art you study should make you healthier and not injure you. · A good martial art should be usable well in to old age, and should not rely solely on strength and speed. · Being a fighter and being a martial artist is not the same Only to find that he has been beaten to it. thing! teacher), Ip Chun, is half my size, and over twice my age. My I hope like me that whatever martial art you study you wrist is bigger than his bicep. However, I cannot touch him get more than just the ability to defend yourself, and that you when we do Chi Sau (sticking hands). This proves one thing: can continually improve your knowledge and understanding. Wing Chun relies on skill. Most importantly you should enjoy yourself and keep studying The Wing Chun system relies on building up the person’s until a ripe old age sensitivity (being able to tell what your opponent is going to By Peter Walfisz page 20 Qi Magazine Mar/Apr 2002 Qi Magazine 20 Taijiquan is one of the most popular Chinese exercises and many people know that it is good for your health and also a high level martial art.

any people like to practise Taijiquan, because in both the east and west, most exercise and martial arts training is based on vigorous movement, strength and speed. Taijiquan is just the opposite of this. We do the movements slowly, and when you come to the end of the form, your breathing is gentle and you are not tired and panting for breath. When we move slowly the body becomes warm, the Qi flows through all the channels and the internal organs receive enough Menergy. So then people suffering from chronic diseases find they get a lot of benefit from practising Taijiquan. However, Taijiquan is not just for health. It is also a very profound martial art as well. Many people think that when fighting, you should use a lot of energy and that you have to train your body to be very strong before you can fight. In Taijiquan, you try to use as little energy to defeat your opponent as you can. How we do this is all based on the principle of Yin and Yang. When someone is strong, we avoid their strength and go to their weak area. So if your opponent is strong, Yang, you should be soft, (Yin) and if your opponent is soft, then you should be strong. So this way you can avoid confronting him directly.

The Origins of Taijiquan Shades of Grey

page 22 Qi Magazine Mar/Apr 2002 Qi Magazine Mar/Apr 2002 page 23 A Taiji master once explained the principle of Taijiquan to me and said, “practising Taijiquan is to make our bodies like a ball. No matter what angle the opponent attacks you at we can turn to avoid him. If the attack comes from the top, go to the bottom. If the attack comes from the left, go to the right and if the attack comes to the centre, then you can turn either way.” This is a very clear explanation of the Taijiquan principle. When you practise a lot of Taijiquan you can develop the rooting power and everything turns about the waist which is the centre, this is like the wheel of a car. So you can turn any way you want to go when your opponent attacks you. Then you can absorb his or her power and bounce them away with your own power. This is what Taijiquan calls “Fang Ren” (releasing a person) and you may have seen people pushing or bouncing people away.

In training Taijiquan, you also need to develop standing exercises (Zhan Zhuang). These develop the power of your legs. Your “Who created such legs are your root, and when they are strong you will have more power to be able to push your opponent away. Taijiquan practitioners practise their a good skill? What forms a lot so they can develop the correct attitude for Taijiquan and at the same time develop sensitivity of the body and move is the history following the principle of Taijiquan. The principle of Taijiquan’s movement is that everything moves from the centre (Dantian) and forms circular movements and the joints behind it?” are never locked up. If your Taijiquan is good, then even in old age, you will still be able to defend yourself and push your opponent away. Most martial arts are only good when you are young and strong, but with Taijiquan, if you keep practising, when you are older you will just keep getting better. Practising Taijiquan has so many benefits, so who created such a good skill? What is the history behind it? There are many opinions about this and every style of Taijiquan has it own story. There is a book called “Chen Style Taijiquan” which mentions a few different stories which the authors do not believe. These are: 1. Taijiquan was created by Zhang Sanfeng an itinerant Daoist priest, of Mount Wudang, in the 15th century around the time of the conquest of the Yuan Dynasty by the Ming. 2. Zhang Sanfeng (a different person to above) a Daoist priest and alchemist from Wudang Mountain created Taijiquan during the reign of Emperor Huizong, of the Song Dynasty in the 12th century. 3. Xu Xuanping an explorer of mysterious powers was the creator of Taijiquan, in the Tang dynasty in the middle of the 8th century. The book believes that Taijiquan was created by Chen Wangting. A martial artist named Tang Hou (1897 – 1959) did some research in 1930. During this time he visited Qipage Magazine 24 Qi Magazine 24 Mar/Apr 2002 Chenjiagou (Chen Village) three different times and discovered Sun Lutang was several documents that gave evidence to who created a martial artist Taijiquan. They all pointed to the 9th generation of the Chen famous for family, Chen Wangting. Xingyiquan and Tang Hou’s beliefs are based on four pieces of evidence: Baguazhang. He 1. Chen Wangting’s 5 sets of Taijiquan, 108 learnt Taijiquan movement Long Fist and one Pao Choi (Cannon fist). The Pao from Hao Choi was adapted from the from the 32 movements of the Weizheng. After Ming Dynasty general Qi Jiguang (1528-1587). Chen the Qing Dynasty Wangting took 29 movements from them. was over, Hao 2. The book “32 Movement Cannon Fist” by Qi studied Taijiquan Jiguang was a collection of 16 different styles of martial art. from Liyegu (1852 None of these mention Taijiquan and so Qi Jiguang did not – 1892) who in turn create Taijiquan or learn it. Chen Wangting also adopted the had studied from names of his movements from Qi Jiguang. Wu Yuxiang. Hao 3. Qi Jiguang’s martial art starts with the Weizheng taught movements “lazily tying the clothes” and “Single Whip”. Chen Sun Luntang five Wangting’s 5 sets of Taijiquan, 108 Movement Long Fist and different times. Cannon Fist all start with these two movements. This means Eventually Sun that Chen Wangting’s martial art is connected to Qi Jiguang’s Lutang combined all martial art. his knowledge of 4. The Genealogy of the Chen Families of Xingyiquan, Bagua- Chenjiagou (Chen Village) has a description of Chen zhang and Wu Wangting, “Wanting, alias Zhouting, was a knight at the end Yixiang’s Wu Style of the Ming Dynasty and a scholar in the early years of the Taijiquan, to create Qing Dynasty. Known in Shandong province as a master of Sun Style Taijiquan. Today martial arts, defeating more than 100 bandits, he was the his daughter Sun Jianyun still lives in Beijing. originator of the bare hand and armed combat of the Chen These are the five major schools of Taijiquan, Chen, Yang, School of martial art. He was a born warrior as can be proved Wu, Wu and Sun. by the big sword he used in combat” (This genealogy of the However, there are many people who say that it is Chen Family is still kept, by the Chinese government in Beijing.) possible that Taijiquan was created by either Zhang Sanfeng, 5. The song poem written by Chen Wangting also Chen Wangting, Wang Zongyue, Jiang Fa, but everyone takes some of Qi Jiguang’s martial art poem. This means agrees that Chen Style Taijiquan is the oldest. that Chen Wangting was influenced by Qi Jiguang’s skill. However, there are some people in Chen Village who 6. The first two phrases of Chen Wangting’s poem believe that Taijiquan began in Hong County, Shanxi Province are, “Changes of actions such as extending and bending are as Chen Bu, the 1st generation of the Chen family came so unexpected as to be totally unpredictable. I rely on all from there to Chen Village. kinds of subtle body movements such as twisting and swirling.” Originally Chen Village was not called Chen Village This is a very unusual description of martial arts training. it was named Zhan Yang Village. However, after the Chen Tang Hou believed that it was a description of Pushing Hands. family had settled there and grew people started to call it Other high level martial artists of the time, Yu Dayu, Qi Chen Village and the old name was forgotten. Jiguang, Tang Shunzhi and Cheng Chongdu, did not have In Beijing today, there is a 79 year old Taiji master this kind of training. So Tang Hou believed that Chen Wangting called Si Douquan. He practises in the park everyday with made this poem to explain pushing hands training he created. his students and started when he was 11 year old in Shan 7. Having created these martial art and Pushing Xi. He remembers when he was a little boy going to an old Hands it was passed down for the next five generations until school. There was a Buddhist temple and in half of the Chen Changxing (1771- 1853) taught Yang Luchan (1799 - room people were educated in the old style of Chinese, 1872) who was from Yongnian County, Heibei Province. Later, mainly Confucianism (Ru Jia). When he finished his lessons, Yang Luchan created Yang Style Taijiquan. From Yang Style he wanted to go to the other side to study martial arts, came Wu Style Taijiquan. Wu Yuxiang (1812 – 1880) from which was Taijiquan. Yonqing County learnt the Chen Style from Yang Luchan and People called that Taiji Shanxi Taijiquan. Master Si Chen Qingping, who practised the Small Frame (Xiao Jia) of believes that when Chen Wangting developed his Taijiquan Chen Tajiiquan (Chen Changxing’s style was the Old Frame – he needed to go back to Shanxi to gather knowledge as Laojia). Wu Yuxiang then created his Wu Style Taijiquan. this was the original birthplace of Taijiquan. A Manchurian named Quan You learnt Taijiquan from Yang Master Si’s teacher is a Buddhist monk called We Luchan’s second son, Yang Banhou (1837 – 1892) [In the Shou who is today is 99 years old. He teaches Taijiquan to Qing Dynasty the Manchurian people governed China. Later help the new generation and give them a good direction in after the Qing Dynasty had fallen all the Manchurian people life. changed their names and took Han names.] Quan You passed This is the most important thing. Whatever the real what he had learnt to Wu Jianquan (1870- 1942) and this story about origins of Taijiquan the most important thing is became anther Wu Style Taijiquan (this Wu Style is different that through practising Taijiquan you will receive good health to Wu Yuxiang’s style. In Chinese the writing is different, and understand the philosophy of life though the pronunciation is the same). By Michael Tse

Qi Magazine Mar/Apr 2002 page 25 TurtleTurtle and and SnakeSnake QigongQigong

5. Red Snake Winds Up the Tree

i. Bring your left hand up behind your head and your right hand to your lower back. Fig 1 ii. Turn to the right side and look down, but keep your upper body and back straight. Fig 2 iii. Perform the movement to the left side, but swop the position of the hands over. Repeat the movement on alternate sides. This is very good for the spine, neck, shoulders and arms. It is also good for Fig 1 Fig 2 the internal organs.

6. Python Turns its Body

i. PlaceFig both 1 hands behind yourFig head. 2 ii. Bend forwards and try to touch your head to your left knee. Fig 3 iii. Straighten up and try to do the same to the right knee. Fig 4 iv. Alternate on both sides. This is good for stretching the lower back and making it looser.

Fig 3

Fig 4 Fig 3

Qipage Magazine 26 Qi Magazine 26 Mar/Apr 2002 7. Spiritual Turtle Swallows Qi

Fig 6 Fig 4

Fig 5

i. Rest your hands at your Dantian and sit straight. Fig 5 ii. Lean forwards and breathe out. Fig 6 iii. Slightly lift up your head. Fig 7 iv. Straighten up, but keep your head slightly back. Breathe in as you come up. Fig 8 v. Return to the original position in part i. vi. Repeat the exercise Thisis very good for the circulation and helping with headaches. People with high blood pressure should be a little careful and not Fig 6 bend too far down. Just bend a little. Fig 5 Fig 7 Fig 8

8. Spiritual Turtle Swimming

i. Lift up both hands. One hand should be up and the other down. Move the hands up and down i.e. the upper hand goes down and the lower hand goes up. Continue to move the hands this way. Allow your body to follow the movement of the hands. Fig 9 This movement is very good for your lungs and also relaxing your back.

Fig 9

Fig 8 Fig 7 9. Combing Qi with the Turtle and Snake

i. Keep your back straight and look forwards, but do not focus on anything. Rest both of your hands on your Dantian and keep your elbows open, so there is space at the armpits. Fig 10 This is repeating the first movement (see last issue) again and this is Shou Gong, Fig 9 “Closing Exercise” to settle your Qi. You should always Shou Gong before finishing.

This set of Qigong exercises is very simple and easy to do. You can do the movements at home or at the office. If you practise daily, you will find your back and your circulation will Fig 10 improve. By Zhou Renfeng Fig 10

Qi Magazine Mar/AprQi Magazine2002 page 27 27 Every morning in China the parks are full of people practising their Qigong, Taiji and other exercises. People tend to practise in groups and each group has its own identity. The parks in Shanghai are very typical of this. This issue we have an insight into some of these groups. Shanghai - Park Life

ost readers of this magazine are conservative, and train together for a stability. The expectations of the familiar with teaching methods great many years. individual sublimated to the needs of all. Min the west. While it is often The second category of teaching The final and I believe the rarest difficult to locate a legitimate, qualified method is by far the most common type form of learning environment I have seen Master of Qigong, Taijiquan, or other of class I have witnessed. A great many has to be where there is a convergence Chinese Martial Art, once successful in of the Qigong and Taiji groups operate of different styles and interests, while finding a good teacher students often in this manner where all participants are sharing the common interface of Tui have completely different expectations equal contributors towards leading the Shou (push hands). At both Cao Yang from their counterparts in the east. It is session. Different individuals will lead Park and Renmin Park as well as on these expectations which may hinder different segments of the class based on Nanjing Xi Lu (Bubbling Well Road) there your study should you ever wish to study their expertise, ranking in the group, or are Tui Shou groups that gather, try their in China. requirements of the day. These groups skill, share their knowledge, teachers

l Around Shanghai, on the streets tend to be more socially oriented, loose share their students, and all peacefully and in the parks, there is a huge variety coexist. After some time you see a in topics to study. However of all the that everyone knows n classes I have observed, teaching everyone else, they r methods fall into three broad attend different u categories. There are the classes led groups, the o by a single traditional Master, teachers know J

there are the classes that the abilities of i operate by communal consent, each other, and

a and there are classes where the students if many Masters, some of not respect h differing disciplines, mix each other g and share ideas as well then know by n as students. touch one a In the classes led another’s level

h by a single traditional of ability.

S Master it is not Attending unusual for the a class like this it Master to delegate seems as if the teaching to the everyone is your older, more “If you expect to teacher, everyone experienced brothers or sharing their sisters. In fact if you expect to see the ideas rather than Master demonstrate the entire form you see the Master techniques, which may be very disappointed. In over a year underpin their and a half here studying every day I have amazing abilities. yet to see more than bits and pieces from perform you may be To rise to the level any of the high level Masters. In these of Grand master classes you may be shown the segment very disappointed.” in this arena you are to learn perhaps only once or one’s talents must twice. It could be the piece was shown gatherings with a solid core of regular be truly extraordinary. Here one’s words to someone else and you need to follow participants. There are no teachers or must be backed by clear demonstration along. It maybe months before you focus on learning per se, rather one of ability to gain any face. receive any personal attention, yet you learns the body of knowledge over a As I write this piece I sadly advise must be very diligent and attentive to long period of regular participation. that Grandmaster Wang Hao Da is in gain face enough for any recognition. Curiously enough these groups may be hospital. All his friends and students While questions on application and form more outwardly harmonious than we wish him long life and good health for are always answered, the answer may can conceive of in the west. Often the the New Year. at times be more than you expected. content of these classes is oriented to by J. Reynolds Nelson [email protected] These groups tend to be tight knit, physical well being as well as social

page 28 Qi Magazine Mar/Apr 2002 Instructor Insight Jane Pollard One day about five years ago I spotted a copy of Qi Magazine in a shop in London. I had seen it before in some of London’s Chinese Medicine outlets but hadn’t looked in it. This time I did take a look and found to my delight that there was a Wild Goose Qigong class in London. I had been shown (very badly) a tiny part of the 1st 64, but I was intrigued and so I bought a copy of Yang Sigong’s little book published in China. I didn’t know that there was someone in London who had studied with Sigong directly and who was also teaching, not until that day in the shop. Sifu said: “Hello, I’m Michael Tse” and shook my hand. Then he showed me the first movement of the 1st 64. “Just follow me”, he said. After trying a few times he told me to watch him while he showed me, then he got me to do it with him again. This is the pattern of Sifu’s teaching and it has become the familiar and much-loved pattern of my learning, and now my own teaching. My partner Vera started coming to class a couple of weeks later. Some years after that first encounter Sifu said one day we should become instructors. We have now been to two instructor courses, and again, these have become part of the pattern of our lives. We are hooked; our health, stamina and general well-being have improved out of all recognition, not instantaneously but steadily. I feel better and fitter than I did in my twenties. The friendships we have made through the Centre and the sense of community Sifu fosters have been a wonderful bonus. We had our first taste of this at our first Tse Qigong Centre Xmas dinner in Chinatown, when Vera had to stand on her head and I had to follow someone doing Old Frame Chen Taijiquan, which I don’t know. We laughed a lot that night and we have laughed lots more since. Now Vera and I have moved out to Australia. It’s summer and thirty degrees most days. We practise early in the morning before it gets too hot. Sifu said to us: “I’ll give you two years, then I’ll come”. So that’s what we’re working towards, getting Sifu out here in 2003 and having some aspiring Wild Geese to join his flock. You may need a glossary (at end) for this next bit: have a dinky di ripper of a time and a bonzer 2002 and don’t forget to cooee if headed out this way. We’re only a short way West of Brisbane in Queensland, not woop-woop: Glossary: dinky di: really; ripper: jolly good; bonzer: see ripper; cooee: get in touch; woop-woop: the back of beyond. Vera Externest When I attended my first Wild Goose Instructor Course I felt like a child that had inadvertently stumbled into a class of highschool students while belonging to Kindergarten. It was a great honour being asked to attend and being given a vote of confidence to teach even a small part of this great skill. I had started to attend class in London a few years before after watching my partner Jane practise the first few movements of the 1st 64 form. It looked so beautiful and different from anything I had ever seen. Though I had heard the word Qigong I did not know anything about it and anything Jane had told Jane & Vera are qualified to teach the me went in one ear and out the other. I had practised yoga for many years but Dayan Qigong syllabus. They can be I had slowly drifted away from it and was on the look-out for less stationary contacted on :61 7 4632 0828. exercises which combined gentle with more vigorous movements. Over the years E-mail: [email protected] and Jane had bought many books about Qigong and other aspects of Chinese [email protected]. culture and heritage but somehow I never got around to reading any of them. Since starting to learn Dayan Qigong I have found to my relief that it is not necessary to be steeped in theory. Slowly and step by small step Sifu has been teaching us about Chinese culture and values through his articles in Qi Magazine, through his books, through small talks he gives from time to time and through his living example. I have found that it is more important to practise one small lesson in everyday life than to know so many things in theory. The Qigong works in a similar way. When I need clarity and a strong feeling of the Qi I go back to the very first and simple exercises, then the more advanced forms become easier to do. After I attended the first instructor course my practice intensified and I got a greater desire to do more and more Qigong. Even just being there, studying and practising with Sifu and all the other instructors and aspiring instructors for several days made such a difference. My Qigong practice is the lightest and most precious baggage I have taken to Australia. Queensland, Australia

page 30 Qi Magazine Mar/Apr 2002 Healthy Living Gong Continuing this introduction to a series of Qigong exercises from the Tse Qigong Centre called Healthy Living Gong. 3. Catching Fish by the Side of the Pond

a b c

a. Bend forwards keeping both legs straight. b. Move your right hand in a clockwise circle, with the palm facing the ground. Keep your left hand down by your side. c. As your right hand pushes out to the side, bring it round behind your right leg to touch the Weizhong point with your finger tips. d. As your right hand is about to touch the Weizhong point, start to circle the left hand in an anticlockwise circle. Continue the movement, with the left hand making an anticlockwise circle and the right hand making a clockwise circle. Remember to make the movement continuous, so as one hand is coming to the back, the other is pushing out. Each time you circle your hand, it should come to rest at the Weizhong point. Breathing When the one hand is making a circle breathe in and when the ii iii other makes its circle breathe out. Breathe naturally, and do not think c c about it.

Concentration Concentrate and look at the hand that is going out, not the one coming to touch the Weizhong point. Benefits This is good for the lower back, waist and the kidneys. Your back is very importantfor theflowof your energy. If your backis stiff,then it means you aregetting old. You mustfix this by making the back more flexible again. If you allow your back to become stiff, then all your movements will become stiff. If your back becomes stiff, then you will have back problems and kidney problems. You will also have problems with your shoulders and neck. So the back is very important for all the joints in the body. The waist is like the steering wheel of a car. If you have a problem d e with the steering wheel, then you can easily have an accident.

Qi Magazine Mar/Apr 2002 page 35 Catching Fish by the Side of the Pond Bending forwards is good for easing headaches and for people with low blood pressure. When the head does not get enough blood Urinary Bladder Channel and Qi flowing to it, then this will cause headaches, even migraines. This is the same as having low blood pressure. If the circulation is poor,then of course we will not have enough blood flowing around the body, this is particularly true for ladies during their period as they lose a lot of blood. During this time they can easily have headaches,cold handsand feet and their emotions arealso affected. As welean forwards, thisbrings the Qiand blood tothe upper body. People with high blood pressure will find it difficult to bend forwards and people with low blood pressure might find it harder to stretch up with their hands up.

History/Background Weizhong Point This movement does not come from any other exercise that I have been practising. It comes from my childhood when my parents would take our family back to my mother’s village (Tong Ha) to visit our relatives. There they kept a lot of fish in a pond. When they wanted to eat fish, they would just go out to the pond and catch c some. So they would only ever eat very fresh fish, not like the things we eattoday thathave been standingaround for a long time (so it is not surprising that today we have many strange illnesses and diseases). They used a net to catch the fish and would bend over the edge of thepond to get them. I imagined standing in the pond (which was not so deep) and seeing all the fish swimming around. Then I bent over and tried to catch them with my hand. Of course I would never catch one, so I could keep doing the movement without hurting any of them. Having done a lot of standing exercises I know that bending down is a very useful movement which can keep the back flexible. The Weizhong point belongs to the Urinary Bladder channel. The Urinary Bladder is very close to the Kidneys and so this is good for the Kidneys as well. Acupoints

4 Golden Dragon Stretches it Claws

a. Stand with your left foot forwards and your right foot back. Your weight should be on the back leg, your left hand should be out in front of you and your right should be down by your side. All your joints should be relaxed. Both hands should be held like dragon’s claws with the fingers slightly bent. Make sure that you do not make the hands tense. Let the body turn 45 degrees to the right. b. Shift your weight forwards. As you do so, let your arms rotate so your right hands rolls up and a b c forwards and your left hand down and backwards. Keep the page 36 Qi Magazine Mar/Apr 2002 on oteban hs epecnesl eludrsrs.Other energy stress. under enough feel easily not can is people there These brain. that the cannot means to you going it If thing, brain. the one of than function more the do with do to is it muscles, more the people other developing Coordination notabout shortsighted. and is beso in willnot and are they circumstances the always will about and Those think minds important. clear have very also will also coordination However, is good healthy. with coordination them make your will that it forget flows, it they as long as that think Benefits forwards. moving is that hand the the at from look are come should you should you movement though and The waist as hand. is each it in time, ball the a all holding up. shape them relaxed close same or the out Keep them stretch Never fingers. the particularly Concentration good. also is this as naturally breathe just breathing, movement the and of coordination the get cannot you If in. breathe back Breathing c. hseecs svr odfryu oriain aypeople Many coordination. your for good very is exercise This time, the all bent hands and arms your in joints the all Keep moves it as and out breathe forwards moves weight your As exercise. this do front. you in while be joints also your should of hand any tense opposite not the Do front, in whichever is position, forwards leg the in that again remember Always good. and the feel in again you that movement to until same opposite your the is and position Repeat forwards the beginning. is so foot backwards, many right is your left as so arm weight feet, your the your Change like. rolling moving you and as times Repeat backwards claws. and dragons forwards as hands b. a. d o oc ihtepalms). the with touch stomach not the the (do of and so side liver either on the hands spleens touch the lightly you fingertips As separate legs. both step, on even weight be foot, the should and right bent your knees the with both keep side of the to front Step to in the points Dantian. together Allow Weiguan left. connect and the over Neiguan right have should Dantian. the ladies and your right the hand over of left your the have Cross should front Gentlemen it. in to next hands Have foot bent. right slightly left the knee your the on and weight leg your with Stand .OdTe ihWnigRoots Winding with Tree Old 5. a h ide oti yblsdta h meo a h eteof centre dragon. the a was was emperor he in the and the China that is symbolised Earth this the Elements, Five so is Yellow the middle, yellow. the In be Earth. element always the a would of have they colour always and would them to clothes just on emperor’s Earth the dragon to So down country. come the the had governed rule who who dragon matter a no were that they said was country of it leader past the the was who In emperor China. or all king the of symbol Chinese the The west. is the dragon in those from different are dragons Chinese History/Background your circulation. for and good joints not be will exercise do this you then problems, If these rheumatism. from or suffer arthritis with people for good is This anything whenever cope happens. can you and clearer brain, be enough will the to mind have your going Qi then they more have because you if is So brain. This next the future. to the going energy the about on think effect can the they or thing, step one than more do can people oeetadws hteeyn fu a eaCieedragon Chinese a be can energy. us strong with of everyone that wish and movement superstition. is this know we as was problem a else not is one this No today, though imprisoned, things. be would otherwisethey personal useit, to the allowed in other seen be and to allowed clothes only emperor’s was it all So world. and the Elements in Five directions the the symbolised claws The fingers. five with aeyuee endaig n anig fCieedragons? Chinese of paintings and drawings seen ever you Have them. to flow to Qi the allows this relaxed are joint the all As hnIrmmee h yblo h rgnIcetdthis created I dragon the of symbol the remembered I When claws had also wingsand flywithout also could Chinesedragons b iMgzn a/p 02pg 37 page 2002 Mar/Apr Magazine Qi

Golden Dragon Stretches it Claws c. Close the legs, by bringing the left leg to the right and placing your weight on your right leg and relaxing the left. Meanwhile, cross the hands in front of the Dantian as before. d. Repeat the stepping and closing, moving from left to right and right to left.

Breathing As you open the legs breathe in and as you close breathe out. Do not breath any other way. a b Concentration c The breathing is very important in this movement and it is “reverse breathing”. When you breathe in the Old Tree with Winding Roots Dantian goes in and when you breath outthe Dantian goes out. This movement will allow you to gather more Qi and the and famous people. But when does education tell us to respect our movementis slightlystronger asit makesyour body go up and down, parents who cared for you when you were little? Back then you did but make sure you do not go up and down too much. There are not even know how to eat and go to the toilet. Education does not people whose legs are weak so when they close the legs together teach people to respect their teachers who taught you so that you they will straighten the legs. If you do this then you will lose Qi. could make your living in the future, taught you how to read and write, or respect your boss who pays your wages so you can keep Benefit your finances in good order. These are your roots. Of course there are bad ones, but if everyone was educated to respect them, there This exercise is very good for the lungs. Many people today find would be less and less. You do not need to be bad to disrespect it difficult to breathe through the nose; this is because the lungs them. If someone else steals, it does not mean you should steal. This have not been exercised. When they breathe deeply, they find it is our root. Anyone who has many generations of their family is difficult to breath through the nose and have to breathe through the proof that their roots are strong and healthy and can grow fruits mouth. Our lungs are muscles, thesame as the leg muscles. If you and flowers. do not work them, they will be weak. When you need to run you will by Michael Tse... to be continued have no energy. Another benefit is this exercise helps strengthen the legs. The legs are your roots. A healthy person cannot live without strong Neiguan Point legs. It is the same as using a tripod for your camera. If the tripod is Waiguan too weak to support your camera, what will happen? Weall know Point what the result will be. Strong and balanced legs are very important. This movement also benefits the stomach, spleen and liver and so the internal organs will become strong and healthy.

History This exercise was inspired by my Chen Taijiquan training and how Chinese culture considers the root. Chen Taijiquan training is very much about the legs. They can bring you a lot of energy, make thebody warm and thefoundation strong. In Chinese culture, we always hear about the 10 generations of the Tang family, 20 generations of the Kong family. In the west we do not hear too much about these sorts of things, because in the West people are educated to make as much money as you can, to be asfamous asyou can,as theseare marksof success.I donot mean Acupoints that you should not be rich and famous. There are a lot of good rich

page 38 Qi Magazine Mar/Apr 2002 Basic Self Defence Training

Kick High and Low with One Leg

Fig 25 Fig 26

Fig 11 Fig 12

Fig 27 Fig 28 i. Start in the ready position. Fig 25 ii. Throw a front kick and your partner blocks you. Fig 26 iii. Withdraw your leg and then kick high towards your partner’s head. Fig 27 to 28. You can do this exercise with both legs. First kick low and then high, but the most important thing is to keep your balance.

Jumping Round Kick

i. Stand in the ready position. ii. Throw a low front kick towards your partner. Then quickly jump off the other leg and throw a round kick towards his head. Fig 29 to 30 You can again do this exercise on both sides, but remember, all the kicks need to be quick otherwise you will allow you opponent the opportunity to attack you back, and you will lose you balance. FigFig 13 29 Fig 30Fig 14

Qi Magazine Mar/Apr 2002 page 39 Jumping Straight Kick

i. Stand in the ready position. ii. Throw a low front kick towards your partner. Fig 31 iii. Jump and straight kick with the other leg towards your partner. Fig 32 You should practise on both sides.

W Fig 31 Fig 32 Fig 15

Straight Punches and Straight Kick

Fig 16 Fig 17 Fig 18 Fig 33 Fig 34 Fig 35

i. Stand in the ready position. Fig 33 ii. Throw a left punch as your partner raises his right hand, then quickly throw a right punch. Fig 34 to 25 iii. Follow the punches with a straight kick to the stomach. Fig 36 Practise on both sides and try kicking with either leg. Your kick should follow the punches quickly otherwise your partner will avoid the kick.

Fig 36 Fig 19 Hook Punch andFig20 Round Kick Fig21

Fig 37 Fig 38 Fig 22 Fig 23 FigFig 39 24 i. Face your partner in the ready position. Fig 37 ii. As your partner raises his hands up, throw a straight punch with your left hand. Fig 38 iii. Follow this punch with a right hook punch. Fig 39 iv. Using the momentum from the hook punch, follow this with a round kick to the head. Fig 40 Once again the punches and kick should follow quickly and smoothly. Practise on both side until the sequence feels natural and comfortable. Fig 40 page 40 Qi Magazine Mar/Apr 2002 Chan and Ma were being taught by their Sifu. They were both hot and sweating a lot and Ma was finding it quite hard to keep going. After a while their Sifu said, “OK that’s enough, more practice.” And with a smile he strolled off. All you need to know

a flopped on the ground and had meant. If he sat and meditated With that he opened his gave a heavy sigh. “I can’t get then he would be able to see the path eyes, got up and left. this right,” he said. “That’s very clearly and this would lead him The third monk M heard him go. He too okay,” replied Chan, “just keep trying.” up. He sat down next to Ma and took a drink He opened his eyes and walked thought that this was a very of water. “But what if I never get it right?” to the base of the rocks. He looked up hard test, but unlike the last he said looking a bit deflated. “Sifu and saw the path he had seen in his monk, he trusted his Sifu. always says “more practice”, but he meditation. Slowly he began to climb He believed that his teacher never tells me exactly what to do.” up. It was hard work, but he climbed would never ask him to do anything “If he told you exactly what to higher and higher. He thought he must unreasonable. His teacher had always do, do you think you would succeed and be about half way up and looked treated them well. So what should he get it right?” asked Chan. “I think I would down. He was so high up it do? He thought about what his teacher have a better chance.” Said Ma frightened him. He suddenly had told them to do, “Listen carefully sit thoughtfully. here and meditate… without that peach

“He already did” said Chan. Ma you will never be immortal.” Then he C

realised, all his teacher had told them l

looked puzzled. “Let me tell you a story i and see if you get the message,”replied to do was sit and meditate! Nothing m else! So he settled his mind and sat very

Chan. b quietly.

There were once three Daoist i monks who were all training themselves Eventually he had forgotten how n to reach immortality. They were very long he had been sitting. Suddenly he g

heard a thud. He opened his eyes and lucky and had a very good teacher. They t had learnt a lot, but they still had a to his amazement, the peach had fallen h long way to go. One day the teacher from the tree and landed in front of him. e

Carefully he picked it up and took a

brought them to the foot of a cliff. Right M at the top was a magical peach tree and bite. hanging from it was a single peach. Suddenly his teacher appeared o “That tree is a very magical tree,” said smiling. The monk looked around and u the teacher, “people say a seed dropped he was still sitting on the ground where n he had been meditating. The other two t from heaven thousands of years ago and a monks were also still sitting in the same that tree grew from that seed. The fruit i is very special and like other peaches places. The teacher looked at them and n that grow in heaven, they are very they just put their heads down. They magical. If you eat it then you will knew they had failed this lesson.” become immortal. Many people have “So you see” said Chan, “the tried to get it and all of them have felt very teacher had told them all exactly what failed.” dizzy. His vision to do, but only one succeeded. One was Now I want you all to all listen blurred and his limbs not practical and wasted his energy very carefully. That peach can make you trembled. He could not hold on any going about things the wrong way. One immortal. Sit here and meditate. With longer, his strength gave out and he did not have the inner strength and faith that the teacher left. fell. in his teacher, even worse, because he The three monks looked up. The The second monk had heard the could not make it, then he turned the cliff was a sheer drop, they had no idea first monk start to climb up and also situation around to make out that it was how to get the peach right at the top. heard him fall. He could not believe the teacher who was not good enough, So they did what they were told and sat it. How could they get the peach? If not himself. Only the one who could down to meditate. he tried to climb up, then he too would think clearly and trusted his teacher The first monk emptied his mind, fall to his death. This test was too could see the answer” but visions of the peach kept appearing. severe. He thought his teacher was too “So you mean that Sifu has After a while he began to see the cliff cruel to do this to them. “I am not already told me exactly what to do – face very clearly. He made this one going to kill myself trying to climb up practise more.” Chan gave that knowing thought the most important thing and there. It is not my fault I cannot do it.” smile and got up. “Don’t worry, he said pushed away any others. Eventually, he He thought to himself, “Sifu is too cruel. the same thing to me as well!” And with could see a way up. It was a very tricky If I die it will be his fault. I am not that they began to practise again, climb, but he was sure he could do it. doing it! It means I will not succeed, though this time it seemed a little better This must have been what his teacher but that is also his fault and not mine”. By Darryl Moy [email protected]

Qi Magazine Mar/Apr 2002 page 41 Shaolin Green Dragon Sword The Green Dragon sword is unique skill that has been passed down by Grandmaster Wu Chun Yuen. Unlike most sword forms the tassel that is attached to the handle is not just for decoration, but it is a intergral part of the form. The tassel is should be as long as the sword. The blade of the sword is Yang (strong) while the tassel is Yin (soft). It takes a great deal of skill to control the blade and the tassel. Here we introduce the opening movements from the Green Dragon Sword.

Fig 1 Fig 2 Fig 3 Fig 4 Fig 5

Fig 6 Fig 7 Fig 8 Fig 9

page 42 Qi Magazine Mar/Apr 2002 Fig 10 Fig 11 Fig 12 Fig 13

Fig 14 Fig 15 Fig 16 Fig 17

The Green Dragon Sword will be taught in public for the very first time. The course will take place on the 27/28 July 2002. For more information contact the Tse Qigong Centre: 0161 929 4485. Fig 18 Fig 19 Fig 20 [email protected]

Qi Magazine Mar/Apr 2002 page 43 Qigong training not only encompasses breathing, movement, and meditation but should also include basic knowledge of Chinese medical theory and philosophy. ‘Dao De Jing’, written by Laozi over 2,400 years ago, is a source of wisdom, which when applied becomes high level Qigong skill. DaoistDaoist Wisdom Wisdom for for Healthy Healthy Living Living

he following is merely a sampling small and has not become too big to are few and you have everything you together with some personal control. Better still, practise Qigong and could want then you are richer than the Tcomments for clarification. prevent disease altogether. person who has has financial wealth but “When a person is born he is soft and “If your hall is filled with gold and jade, is never satisfied. supple. When he dies he is stiff and hard. All it cannot be protected. If you are wealthy “The fivecolours cause blindness. The things are soft and tender at birth and at and honoured pride follows which can five tones cause deafness. The five flavours death they are withered and dry”. attract mistakes and misfortune. When the cause the inability to taste. Racing about on When the body and mind are work is done retire; this is the Dao of horseback and hunting cause madness”. relaxed and soft the Qi flows properly heaven”. Overexposure to visual which is essential to health. A stiff body Many people are obsessed with stimulationJulian i.e Wilde television, with his teacher computers & his students etc. is caused by straining while working or collecting valuables. The more expends Qi and damages eyesight. When exercising and a stressful mental state. the eyes are tired rest them or meditate. Gentle movement and remaining Constantly listening to loud music mentally flexible aids longevity. impairs the hearing. Those who move “In concentrating the Qi to achieve to the countryside from the city and flexibility can you be like a baby?” find the quietude disturbing have already lost their balance with s In the womb babies r nature. Choose specific times in the breathe from the Dantian, which e day for silent contemplation. t stores Qi. Breathing with the lungs

t Perpetually eating rich or spicy food uses Qi. Dantian breathing saves

a damages the palate’s ability to much biophysical energy, which distinguish flavours. Those addicted to

M is then converted to True Qi,

high-speed thrills and dangerous i and serves as an internal situations who only feel ‘alive’ when

Q massage for the vital organs. adrenaline is pumping have also lost “Do not swerve from your balance. innate nature and return to the state “Rare commoditiescause mankind to do of infancy”. wrong, so the Sage concerns himself with The newly born are pure his abdomen and not his eyes”. of mind, without passions or Gold and rare jewels may seem ambitions etc, and can let go of substantial and worthwhile possessions their emotions. They cry and but you cannot take them with you after quickly forget. As adults we you die so they are ultimately worthless. internalise our problems, which Dantian Qi, on the other hand, may affects our Qi and health. Meditation appear intangible but it is more real and is the tool to enable us to return to the belongings you acquire the more valuable as it cultivates your health and peaceful state of infancy and transcend responsibilities and worries you have. In spirit, and bestows longevity. The eyes our emotions. the end, you no longer possess the generally look outwards and we are “A tall tree grows from a tiny sprout. A valuables they possess you. Throughout tempted by what we see. Hence, it is tower begins from the earth up. A journey life we need to let go of our attachments beneficial to routinely shut the eyes and starts with a single step”. so that we can truly be free. This includes look inwards. Sometimes the blind our emotional baggage. Everything grows from small to perceive more than the sighted. big. This is the way of nature. It is a “No disaster isgreater than not knowing “What is dearer, fame or health? What mistake to rush the natural process. what is sufficient. No crime is greater than is more valuable, health or wealth?”. avarice. One who knows sufficiency will Businesses collapse because owners miss Everyone should ask themselves this principle and expand too quickly. always have enough and avoid danger”. this question. You cannot enjoy your Qigong practice is no exception - to rush Desire is a disease. The more you wealth or fame in sickness. Health is also or take short cuts can be disastrous. With accumulate the more you want. ‘What the only factor over which you have regards to illness, listen to your body is a rich person? Someone who has complete control and catch any problem when it is still everything he or she needs. If your needs By Adam Wallace [email protected]

Qipage Magazine 44 Qi Magazine 44 Mar/Apr 2002 Feng Shui by Michael Tse better.” Qi Magazine Mar/Apr 2002 page 45 business If the plants in your officeIf grow on the other hand the plants If your office has two doors, you If you have plenty of fresh air, If your office is too cold, then you might haveproblems. breathing40. well, and then your business41. lung will be good. do not growwill well, have a then problem. 42. your business will not makeyour enough expenses money to cover 38. then you will be healthybetter. and You will work also much have good39. business. easier and your good location will “A good desk, in a make your work much If you can see a nice view from If your office feels empty, then you If your office has no windows, If there is not enough light in your If your office is too bright or

37. your office, you willand have good a business. good future 33. will be poorout. and you34. will soon move then you will beproblems. ill and have35. breathing office, you will make36. a lot of mistakes. affected by flashing lights yousuffer can easily from a nervous breakdown.

Many people have asked about how Feng Shui affects the desks in and so their income. their offices. This is very important as it directly affects their careers

Feng Shui & Your Desk Feng Shui & Your Desk If you have no space in your If the ceiling above you is too low If your office has a high ceiling, If there are When you sit at If on the other hand you have A desk that is balanced and even If the front of your desk is against If your desk is empty and does If your desk is tight on the left If your desk is tight on the right If your desk is full of clutter, it not get enough money. be high. 32. office, or you findthen that you it will is not feel enough, under stress and will work under other people. 31. then eventually your own position will 30. and whenpressure, this you means youtoo stand much will promotion and not you up will have always you feel behind you, thenwill you havegossip enemies about you. and people may 29. other chairsyou behind and peoplealways are passing by will support yougive and opportunities. you good 28. your desk, if your back is to themeans wall, that then your it boss you will havefinances a will good future alsogood. and be your in the future. You may also have problems with your finances. 27. enough space in front of your desk, then and female colleagues. 26. a wall, then you might have problems with female colleagues. 25. on both sides ishave good the relationships best. with both You male will also a problem with male24. colleagues. hand side, then you will have a problem will leave your work23. very soon. hand side,energy then is not it good and means you might that have your work and you will be22. tired and stressed. not have a single thing on it, then you Continuing from last issue21. ... means that you will never finish your