Everything connects with nature, which is why this form is based on the constellations, as it is based on our understanding of nature. If we understand nature we can work with it and not cause problems by going against it.
The 5 elements, 12 animals of the Chinese horoscope, everything, has two kinds of energy, yin and yang. (Fire can be a bonfire or candlelight, water can be ocean or morning dew etc.) Every element will affect another, either through control or support. Sifu explained how this also applies to different kinds of people. Understanding nature and the elements helps us to understand our life, what is good for us and what is bad, when is a good moment to do something, when it is a bad moment.
Sifu explained that in the Chinese horoscope animals are used to convey attitude, e.g dog is loyal, snake is sneaky. Everything has a good or bad side, and everything changes, although it also goes in cycles, like in 12 years the horoscope will go back to the same animal, so there will be some similarities in that time. People like to know about their future and try to understand their horoscope, but if you practise Qigong you shouldn’t need all the calculations, you should be able to feel and sense what is right and wrong, good or bad, when to do things and when not to. We can’t always have good times, but if we know we are heading into difficult times we need to conserve our energy. Sometimes we should spend some money, sometimes we should save it.
The form itself is challenging, not only physically, but also in terms of coordination, as in the case of the new spiralling movement that we learned this time, and in terms of having to count the numbers of steps so that you end up covering all the directions. All of this helps us to connect with the heaven and the constellations. A fascinating and challenging form, thank you for another inspiring seminar Sifu.
by Peter Andersen
Student Comments
Interesting new move, it’s like a Swimming Dragon is doing the 1st 64! Always good to learn new moves and test how well I know my left from my right. Sometimes I feel like a kid learning my lefts and rights for the first time every time! May take a trick from surgeons and start labelling my arms and legs. Thanks, Sigong!
Kay
Interesting to hear about how the 5 elements relate to each year and how the element of our own birth year is effected by the current year’s energy.
I like the spiralling of the last movement – good for all the joints!
Thank you Sigong.
Paul Hogg
It is good to keep going over this again and again, Even when I think I have the numbers right in my head they still come out wrong! The new part is very interesting and a little tricky! Thanks Sigong for making Saturday afternoon interesting!
Lee B
I really enjoyed learning how we can look at our animal sign and have a feeling for how the energies of the current years’ animal can play out in our lives. The new spiral movement is a lot of fun – it brings up a lot of Qi. Thank you, Sifu for another great seminar.
Manuela
I am really enjoying and appreciate the strength and energy that 28 Constellation Gong gives. The form helps to move with the whole body and strengthens it as well. The four directions are now much clearer, looking forward to perfecting the last part as it is very interesting. Thank you Sifu!
-Radu
Thank you Sigong for another great seminar! As we advance further the richness of this form is revealed covering all directions and using various ways of releasing and collecting energy! Looking forward to the next one!!
Michalis A.