Introduction to Qi Gong and The 8 Treasures (Movement 1)

Welcome to learning and practicing Qi Gong with me! So happy you are here.

The Eight Treasures Qi Gong or Ba Dua Jin (also called Eight Silks Brocade) is a complete sequence of eight individual movements meant to be enjoyed in a continuous flow, but I wanted to offer a comprehensive teaching of it so you can experience the fullness of this simple yet effective practice that has its origins in ancient Taoism, Buddhism, Shamanism, Medical theories, dance and military drills. Similar to yoga, Qi Gong as we are privileged to know it today has a vast and interesting evolution story and adepts and master teachers throughout the  ages and I am eternally grateful to all my teachers for their dedication to keeping this teaching alive so I can share in my very very tiny humble way what I have come to continuously love as a path to wellness and vitality.

It is meant to be accessible for anyone at any stage of life with its gentle movements that facilitate flow, strengthen the body and relax tension for a healthier life. You can find master teachers showing their beautiful practices on youtube but many do not break down the movements or teach the foundational stuff that unlocks the magic of the movements so without being  to talkie, I am offering this series to beginners with useful tips and a prompt for those who have a regular practice that going back to the basics may hold many treasures too.

The benefits of Qi Gong vary to the practitioner but generally due to its tradition in honoring of the 3 Realms (Cosmos, Humanity and Earth), there is a particular attraction and joy that it brings that is similar to observing or being in  Nature. So   practicing in a beautiful area is really recommended.

MOVEMENT 1-STANDING : https://vimeo.com/557922222/bfa91e2f18 

If standing is difficult, please watch the beginning introduction talk from the Standing version and for the practice portion use link:

MOVEMENT 1- SEATED : https://vimeo.com/557951038/f10a51a03e 

The first movement is called Two Hands Pressing Up the Heavens. You will stretch your hands, wrists, shoulders, neck lats, trapezius muscles, abs and lubricate your organ fascia which will get energy moving through your whole body. Also, because of the emphasis on Qi (energy that is everywhere), your awareness will expand beyond ourselves, our limited awareness, bringing a possibility of feeling connected to the universe and all of life.

Here is some terminology to help you along this course:

Qi

(pronounced “Chee”)

Simple but incomplete definition:

Vital life force, energy that is present in all living and some not living things.

• Qi is also in food – cooked or raw

• Qi manifests and changes with thoughts

• Qi drives our actions and intentions

• Qi connects heaven and earth and is also translated as breath

Gong

Mastery, cultivation

Qi Gong

A self-mastery practice that brings awareness to self and the relationship we have with everything else. It is an external and internal healing artform that brings wellness and balance when the physical postures (body), intentions(mind)and breath (Qi) are in sync.

Lower Dan Tien

(pronounced “Dahn-Tea-En”)

Also known as “hara” in Japanese.

• It is our energy reservoir, our second brain (enteric nervous system) and power center. The mastery of this area is what allows martial artists, Tai Chi/Qi Gong practitioners and many Eastern meditations to be so extraordinary.

• For women, it is the energetic womb center.

• The point is generally 2-3 fingers widths below the navel – depends on the person.

• In the beginning you may feel any part near the navel or on the navel as you are finding your connection to lower DT.

Wuji

Formless and Holding Infinity.

• The Wuji state exists inside all of us. It is the state from which all creative impulses grow.

• Wuji is also known as the void, the source and the Mother of Yin and Yang

• Primary grounding practice in conjunction with Kidney 1 and Lower Dan Tien.

• Standing with your feet hip or shoulder width apart

• Bring awareness to Kidney 1 and lower Dan Tien

• Soften your jaw, heart, hands, and knees

• Sink back and down into your center (lower dantien)

Yin and Yang

Understanding relativity

Yin

Some examples: internal, involute, slow, cool, return, earthy, dark, water

Yang

Some examples: external, expand, fast, warm, growth, heavenly, light, fire

Kidney 1

Acupuncture point at the feet

• This is also known as Bubbling Well/Spring, “yongquan”

• Brings energy down from upper body, helps to release excessive thinking

• Our awareness and physical connection needs to be strong here for grounding.

Pericardium 8

Acupuncture point at the palm of hand

• Make a fist, the point just at or below where your middle finger is

• Increasing awareness of this point while practicing will help circulate the Qi and blood throughout the body

• This point releases anxiety and is also called the Palace of Toil, “laogong”

I  hope you find this information interesting and beneficial.  After you practice each movement, take a moment  to feel how you are doing and  perhaps make a note or if you want to engage in community, please share on this Patreon page what you experienced. It is helpful to remember how a little mindful movement can support you in just 10 minutes of your day.

If you are interested in receiving the complete Series, make sure you are enrolled in Tier 2 or above.

In  Support,

Rie