Swimming Dragon Gong – Part 1

To begin the seminar, Sifu talked about some of the different movements and attitudes in Qigong that combine to make a whole. We are all different and there is no perfect, so if we keep practicing and focus on the movement, we will continue to improve, and that is what’s perfect.

We can read about this more in his Qigong Dao column on Speed of Movement https://www.tseqigongcentre.com/qigong-dao-466/

Qigong movements and attitudes talked about today:

1. Speed
2. Pause
3. Rhythm
4. Focus
5. Breathing
6. Relaxation
7. Waist
8. Synchronise
9. Coordination
10. Drop weight

We often ask Sifu how fast or slow to do the movements so speed is always a hot topic in class! But today Sifu said that it’s not about about fast or slow, it’s about purpose.

In soft Qigong we move quickly or slowly, depending on whether the purpose of the movement is releasing, losing tension or gathering energy. Sometimes we move quickly, like the letting go, flicking movements in Wild Goose Qigong. But although these are quick, we still want to relax. And at other times we might move more slowly so that we can relax more, but then if we go too slowly, the Qi won’t circulate very well, and our energy will be too static which can cause tension and illness.

This is why Balancing Gong is a great form for beginners, because it teaches pupils that movement comes from the whole body at a natural speed. Then if we practise, we will be healthier on the inside, with our organs and mind in good condition so that we last longer, like a good car!

Along with speed, there is also the rhythm, which is the natural ebb and flow of the movement. When we start Balancing Gong, the rhythm and flow of our movements will not be the same as they are later. As we practice, the body will develop more of a natural rhythm and we start to feel the rhythm of the movement more. So we need to notice how our body feels when we do Qigong. We will start moving at a rhythm and speed that fits with our individual body and the purpose of the movement.

When we start to feel the rhythm, we also notice that there can be a pause in the flow, like at the turning point between opening and closing, or the up and down movements in Balancing gong. But when we are a beginner, we just need to focus on getting the initial shape of the movement first, and then the rest will follow naturally.

It’s like Chinese calligraphy, where there are long, short, slow and fast strokes all mixed together, allowing us to see the calligrapher’s energy. Or music, when getting the right rhythm gives a good feeling and energy. So as we progress, in the end it is better not to always follow someone else, because our body and our natural rhythm is different.

To do this we need to be able to focus on the form. We focus by paying attention to something and trying to stay focussed on that thing. The aim is to focus on the movement and not to think about other things too much. In the beginning we can think of many things when we practice, like, I’m hungry, what is for dinner! Or maybe about a meeting. But if we keep going, then eventually our thoughts will calm and eventually disappear.

We often have so many thoughts because we are not focussed enough. Whereas when we focus on the movement, we become aware of how the movement feels, and we might notice tension in a certain place in our body, or notice that we feel really good! But in the Dayan Qigong system we do not use any type of visualisation to try to direct the Qi. The movements themselves direct the Qi, and as we relax and gain more energy, the Qi will naturally go to where it needs to go.

For how to breathe, in the beginning, we just start by breathing naturally. But as we do the movement our breathing will naturally adapt to it. For opening and closing movements, we breathe in when we open, and breathe out when we close. We breathe in when we move up, and out when we move down. Sometimes we just breathe naturally, like in some circular movements, but how quickly or slowly we breathe depends on how quickly or slowly we are moving. Again, our breathing will adapt to the movement. But if we move very slowly we might run out of our breath before we’ve finished the opening or closing movement. Or if we are moving quickly, the breathing might be slower.

But again everybody is different, which is also why we don’t all move and breathe at exactly the same speed. Some people need a big lunch, and some people prefer a small lunch. Some people think breakfast is the most important meal, but some think lunch is! So we just need to relax and focus on the movement, and then our body will tell us how to breathe. So when we practice Qigong, we are also learning how to find and balance ourselves.

But while everyone is different we still need someone to guide us and to talk to about our Qigong practice. There are videos and books that describe the movements, but we need someone to help who understands the movement correctly. Sifu knows that although AI can do many jobs, he will always be safe in his, because AI can’t be a Qigong teacher! Qigong is human.

Relaxation is very important in Qigong, and we must first learn to relax, particularly in the shoulders. Although there are arm movements that have a shape, the movement actually comes from the waist. For beginners, we might just need to see the hands at first, and then gradually the movement will start to from the body. The shoulders will automatically drop, and when we relax it enables us to locate the tension or the problem. Through Qigong we are always trying to help ourselves through relaxation, and this allows our movement to come more from the waist.

One of the first things that we learn in Qigong is a natural relaxed stance, with the feet shoulder width apart, and the Baihui point and Huiyin points in-line. We will then be able to relax and feel lighter. If we are not relaxed, then the energy will be blocked and the Qi cannot flow easily.

The waist is also so important. E.g. In Iron Lung Gong, when we push with the arms, we actually still move from the waist, so that when it all comes together it is a high level!

Coordination is the hard part! For example if we are fluttering too hard, then the shoulders can’t relax. There is learning how to drop weight, like in the second 64 when we drop our weight down quickly. But how much weight? Sifu said he will write about this another time. And another thing to consider is matching both sides of our body, such as the flicking movement in 2nd 64 where we form a yin yang shape with our arms, where one arm is up and the other down. Both arms need to be matched with the curve and shape of each arm in harmony with the other.

The movement comes from the body. But don’t worry if you feel discomfort, or can’t coordinate, it will all come together eventually. With knowledge and attention, we can feel how to move and understand Qigong, and for the things we need to work out mentally, there are also many different meditation postures in Qigong.

Sifu then told us a story…

One day there was a young boy who was looking for a good Qigong master, and he was always checking lots and searching everywhere for the perfect master. Then after 40 years his friend asked, have you found one yet?! And the boy said yes I found the perfect master, but the master said that he was also searching for the perfect student!

So sometimes we can look for something for too long! We won’t get perfect Qigong in the beginning, but we just need to keep going, find problems, improve, and then we will continue to improve and get better, and this is what’s perfect!

“The more we practise the deeper we will feel and understand each movement, and this will change the speed of how we do it, until we find the perfect speed. However, just remember that even before we find the perfect speed, we will still benefit greatly from our Qìgōng practice.”

by Carly Collingwood