The sixth part of this series of seminars on Hard Qigong began with a revision of the breathing methods used when practicing the different exercises. Grandmaster Tse demonstrated each type of breathing.
The students tried the breathing types for themselves and were then put into break-out rooms to have the seniors watch and listen to them and give them advice and answer any questions they might have about the breathing.
What I personally find most interesting about the breathing is the fact that air is sucked into the lungs through the mouth, which is the opposite of the breathing in all the other skills practiced at the Tse Centre. That is, in the other skills we breathe through the nose. These strong breathing exercises in Hard Qigong are quite exhilarating and quickly raise the Qi.
In the next part of the seminar GMT went over the nine movements that had been taught in the previous seminars (not including the two exercises used to ‘warm down’), demonstrating and answering students’ questions. Again the students were put into break-out rooms to have the seniors check their movements.Â
Two new movements were demonstrated in this seminar: the former seems to be especially good for the lower back and the kidneys, and the latter, which is a little similar to movement three, seems to have its focus on the middle Dantian.
This series of seminars is fascinating. ‘Soft’ Qigong is good for health in that it trains us in how to relax and be soft, and in that way it can be described as being Yin, but Hard Qigong, with its dynamic and powerful exercises, can be seen as a Yang compliment. Both are good for health, but Hard Qigong gives inner power and a strong body.Â
We are truly fortunate to be given the chance to learn this skill – an investment for life for which I am sure we are all grateful to Grandmaster Tse for sharing with us.
by Peter Hogg