2023 Qigong Instructor Course

The first day and a half consisted of GM Tse demonstrating forms and answering questions, followed by going into separate online rooms to polish with a senior instructor. Here there was a free choice of room so you could polish whichever form was most relevant. GM Tse demonstrated Warm Up level 1, Healthy Living Gong 1 through 4 and the Wild Goose 1^st and 2^nd 64 forms. The demonstrations were very detailed and GM Tse made sure to show forms from two angles.

There were many questions – even to the degree that time was running short. GM Tse however emphasised that it was important that everyone was clear – this was the one time a year when the opportunity was there. If more mistakes could be corrected and the understanding of Qigong deepened then it would have a rub-off effect on all the students around the world. GM Tse likened mistakes to stains on a shirt – the longer you leave them the harder they are to wash out – once you have a bad habit it is hard to correct, so better change it as soon as possible.

The latter half of the second day and the third day were reserved for testing. There was a core of testers consisting of senior instructors. They were tested by GM Tse himself but also had to test the other instructors. It is always a puzzle to ensure that everyone can have their tests, as there are limits to the number of testers, time, and the fact that you cannot be tested and test someone else simultaneously. This planning was expertly handled by senior instructor and organiser Darryl Moy. Since the instructor courses have gone online this system has been oiled and fine-tuned to the purring engine it is today.

In between tests you could either polish corrections or prepare for the next test in a designated polishing room. Two senior instructors were ready to help with whichever form you needed or to set you up with other people working on the same form. This was also a chance to catch up with old acquaintances – or make some new ones. In this way the polishing room is important in maintaining the social aspect of the instructor course, despite it being online. The social aspect is part of the Tse Centre’s unique flavour and why to many it is like a second family.

At the conclusion of testing there was a general feeling of success – many had passed their forms or otherwise left with a treasure trove of corrections to work on for the coming year. Before saying goodbye, however, it was time for a Qigong Instructor quiz. This is where mind meets body and theory meets practice. The suspense was high as you never know which question GM Tse has chosen or who will be picked to answer.

There were questions that tested our memory – like what are the six healing sounds? What are the three gates on the back that need to be opened in order for the Xiao Zhou Tian to start forming? Who are the ancestors of the skill? Some of these questions had their answers in the Qigong Dao – others not.

There were also questions that forced us to think – questions that might not have a single answer – like why is it hard to make family and friends train Qigong? Why should we teach? The quiz inspires us to think deeper and understand the skill rather than just perform the movements. GM Tse once noted that this is one of the qualities that distinguish a Sifu from a normal practitioner.

The course came to an end, but the training and development continues with renewed strength. Students around the world will benefit and can look forward to another year of high quality instruction. We are all very blessed to be learning and propagating this exceptional skill. The skill is alive and well and we can thank it and the ancestors for the health, happiness and luck it provides us every day.

by Paul Hogg