28Constellation20-01

28 Constellation Gong Pt20

Another great 28 Constellation Gong seminar. It really is a fascinating form with so much relating to Chinese astrology. But do we need to know all of the astrology to benefit from doing the form? In the lecture Sifu asked the question: when you do Qigong, do you need to believe in Qi?
The answer is no, but if you follow the principles then after some months your health will improve and if you keep practicing you won’t need to believe, you will know because you will feel it. Qi is natural and so when we relax and follow the principles and connect to nature our Qi will develop. Sea, mountains, trees, people, animals etc all have Qi so our environment is important, so if we practice in nature and if we are around healthy people and animals, then we will feel good. In the same way, in 28 Constellation Gong when we connect all the movements, numbers, directions and names, and we connect with the Big Dipper which is like the Dantian, then our Qi will develop.
 
Sifu also told us about a famous Chinese doctor who, when he heard that the Prince had died, asked to know all the details. When he heard them he said that the Prince was not dead and sent a message to the court that they should check certains areas and points on the Prince’s body for signs of life. Then the people at the court discovered that the Prince was still alive and summoned the doctor who then brought the Prince back to health using acupuncture and herbs. In China, especially in the old times, knowing if someone was dead or alive was not an exact science, and even today there are stories of people who are pronounced dead coming back to life, so the tradition is to not interfere with the body immediately after death, just in case. It should be natural. The doctor in the story was very sensitive and had a deep understanding of nature, so he could understand the situation. The more we practice the more sensitivity and understanding of nature and Qi we will develop.
 
28 Constellation Gong is quite a long form and needs a lot of space but you really feel that you are gathering Qi from all directions. A lot of the movements are also quite physical and with all the directions and changes, sometimes starting with the left, sometimes with the right, you have to keep your wits about you. So, after so many complicated movements it was a relief to have some new movements that were quite familiar and easy, just remember to start on the right foot!
 
by Peter Andersen

Student Comments

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Last time I was very confused about which direction we face when we finished the movements but I think I picked it up this time and am finishing facing the front. I’m interested to see what the next movements are — it feels like we have done an extra north or south because there have been three movements along that direction before the new bagua steps, so I am wondering whether we are doing another set of four directions! Thanks Sigong for making us think!
Lee B

Feeling much better now. I have had some sneezing bouts from hay fever, but repeating all the movements has calmed down the fire.
Thank you, Sigong.
Paul Hogg

Thank you for a good 28 Constellation Gong seminar Sifu, great to polish this beautiful form. I think I am beginning to get to grips with the directions. Vanessa

Interesting lecture on Qi and believing it or not. Was good polishing today, particularly clarifying the left and right sides at the end of the form. The second half of the form has really interesting movements, smoothing the legs and hitting the body, feels nice to practice. Thank you Sigong. Christine

28 Constellation Gong was very interesting, especially with the new part with the bagua stepping, which differs from the previous sections that go out from the centre to the different directions and then back to the centre. l’m looking forward to next time. Thank you Sigong. Peter Hogg

Great seminar looking into the principles of Qigong practice based on relaxation and connection with the nature all around us. The new walk feels really relaxing as we connect our body with the energy of all directions to form a soothing Qi ball around us. Thanks for the seminar, Sifu. Manuela

What an inspiring lecture, Sigong, deepening our understanding of the power of our connection with Nature. So beautiful! I always feel good after practising this form. Lee M

With each seminar I find myself more able to focus on little details from the earlier parts of the form. The breakout rooms are particularly helpful for gaining clarity and feedback as very often you are not even aware of a detail that needs polishing. Thanks Sigong, an enjoyable seminar.:)
Belinda

Today in breakout rooms many people have asked me if I still remember Green Dragon Sword, so the Tuesday Green Dragon series must have put it on peoples mind! It is tricky when learning and concentrating on a new form which is similar to an old one, and I had a quick go at green Dragon sword in the break and sure enough bits of it had been overwritten by the white crane. There’s definitely going to have to be some more Green Dragon in my future! Thanks Sigong for teaching so many skills! Lee B

I am quite content with the form until now and am glad I could pick up the more subtle details towards the end which I have missed last time. 28 Constellation Gong gives a great feeling and power in the body so it is very nice to do, especially as the weather is better outside and can practice more in the open air. Thank you Sifu!
-Radu

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