Chi Gong - Core Techniques and Practices

Here's the syllabus Scott presented for the workshop, plus more pictures attached...

Chi Gong - Core Techniques and Practices

by Scott Wennergren

copyright 2007 

Chi gong is an ancient Taoist art devoted to the mastery of chi, or life force. This art has been practiced in China for thousands of years. Chi Gong literally translated means “the skillful manipulation of chi”. Chi gong training allows the practitioner to become fully aware of the energy flowing through the physical body. Through this awareness one learns to control internal chi. Chi gong techniques use the mind, breath and movement to guide chi. Mastery of internal chi allows the practitioner to expand awareness, develop the energy body, and maintain health. It is said that great masters of the art may even attain a state of spiritual immortality by developing the energy body to the degree that it may exist without physical form.

Chi gong is also extensively used in the martial arts. Through Chi Gong training the martial artist’s movements are guided by chi. This increases speed and improves reaction time.

Chi is also used to increase the power of strikes and blocks. In a martial capacity, one may disrupt an opponent’s energy flow, attack the energy centers, damage internal organs, and anticipate an opponent’s next move. Chi gong is also used to strengthen the body against attack. The meditations of chi gong allow the martial artist to remain in a state of calm during combat situations. 

INTERNAL ALCHEMY

Expelling Toxins

Movement: Arms held straight out in front of body, palms down. Move arms up on inhale, down on exhale.

Chi: Inhale as hands move up. On exhale expel energetic toxins through the breath & fingertips as hands move down.

Bellows Breathing

Movement: Hands held at Lower Tan Tien (at the abdomen just below the navel) palms facing each other, elbows bent. On inhale move palms apart, on exhale move palms together.

Chi: On inhale, breathe surrounding chi into your Lower Tan Tien. On exhale feel the chi intensify in the Lower Tan Tien.

Small Heavenly Circuit Circulation

Movement: Arms in a hoop palms facing up, at Lower Tan Tien. As arms move up body to midsection turn palms to face body, as arms move to top of head palms face down.From there, move arms back down to lower Tan Tien, palms facing down.

Chi: Feel chi intensify in the Lower Tan Tien, use the breath to move the chi up the spine. On inhale, feel the chi move up the Governor Channel (Du Mai) along the back of the body, on exhale feel the chi in the Lower Tan Tien intensify, pushing the chi further up the back. Pull the chi through the Governor Channel on inhale, push it through the channel on exhale. When the chi reaches the Middle Tan Tien (at the chest) feel the energy intensify in this chi center. Feel the Chi flow into and circulate within the Middle Tan Tien. Continue moving chi along the back to the Upper Tan Tien (at the head). Feel the Chi flow into and circulate within the Upper Tan Tien. Keep the tongue pressed against the upper palate to connect the Governor and Functional channel (Ren Mai). Move the chi down the Functional Channel along the front of the body. Circulate the chi through the Middle Tan Tien and back down to the Lower Tan Tien.

Large Heavenly Circuit Circulation

Drawing in Earth and Heavenly Chi

Movement: Palms facing down to earth, then up front turning skyward at head, then back to Tan Tien.

Chi: Pull earth chi up through the Yong Quan points at the soles of the feet. Move this chi up the back to the Upper Tan Tien. Move chi up through the Bai Hui point at the crown of the head. Feel heavenly chi flow down into the head. Move this chi down the front of the body to the Lower Tan Tien.

Drawing in Surrounding Chi

Movement: Draw palms up to chest level then push hands out from body palms facing forward. Draw in external chi. Move palms back to chest and continue moving hands up turning skyward at head, then back to Lower Tan Tien.

Chi: Extend chi to the Lao Gong points in the palms of the hands. Feel the surrounding chi. Draw the external chi through the arms back into the Middle Tan Tien. Continue to circulate the chi up to the head and back down to the Lower Tan Tien.

Wu Chi Meditation

Movement: Arms down at sides, raised slightly away from body palms facing each other.

Chi: Let chi flow naturally, circulating and drawing in upper, lower and surrounding chi.The chi will naturally flow to areas of the body where it is needed.

Cultivation

Movement: Palms covering Lower Tan Tien, left palm under right palm for males and vice versa for females.

Chi: Draw in earth, heavenly, and surrounding chi into the Lower Tan Tien. Feel the chi condense into the Lower Tan Tien becoming concentrated and powerful.

MARTIAL TRAINING

Iron Shirt

Movement: Palms facing chest, elbows bent, finger tips facing each other. On exhale slightly move arms in and bend knees as chi is packed into the fascia.

Chi: On inhale draw in surrounding chi through the skin and energy points. On exhale feel the chi condense into the body forming a protective barrier just beneath the skin.

Bone Packing

Movement: Palms facing chest, elbows bent, finger tips facing each other. On exhale pull the fingers into fists, pull arms in towards the body and bend knees slightly.

Chi: On inhale draw in surrounding chi through the skin & energy points, exhale feel the chi condense into the bones.

Emitting chi from the Hands

Movement: Fully chambered alternating palm strikes. Hold palm out on inhale, alternate and strike on exhale.

Chi: Feel chi intensify in the Lower Tan Tien, use the breath to move chi up the back, through the arms and to the Lao Gong points at the palms. Forcibly project chi from the palms on exhale.