Qigong Resources
Links
- Qigong with Dr. Bingkun Hu
- Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
- The Qigong Institute
- Insight Santa Cruz
- Spirit Rock Meditation Center
Articles
- What is Wild Goose Qigong?
- Wild Goose XI Qigong
- What is Blue Sparrow Qigong?
- In the Ancient Mountains
- The Body is a Microcosm of the Earth is a Microcosm of the Universe
- More articles by Qigong Master Bingkun Hu
Qigong Videos by Dr. Hu
- Learning Flexiblity Through Qigong
This qigong offers a comprehensive training of body and mind flexibility using relazation, stretching, agility, and inner strength. This is done in a gentle, easy, and systematic way. Techniques demonstrated are:
* Relaxing the six major joints
* Training the shifting of body weight
* Using of a center-periphery approach for inner strength
This is a great Qigong for all levels of practioners. - Wild Goose Qigong I
Wild Goose I Qigong is well known for its lovely and graceful movements, which are suggestive of the image of an innocent and carefree wild goose. As a "movement-oriented" Qigong, Wild Goose movements and postures naturally open up our twelve meridian lines. Practicing Wild Goose Qigong can:
* Improve blood circulation
* Develop breathing and movement coordination
* Increase body and mind flexibility
* Cultivate awareness of Qi in and around our bodies. - Wild Goose Qigong II
Wild Goose II Qigong, through its lovely and expressive movements, develops both out upper and lower dan-tian ("third eye"). It trains our ability to not only take in fresh energy but also get rid of sickly Qi, thus enabling us to detoxcify and strengthen ourselves at the same time. Throughout its long history, Wild goose II Qigong has been proven effective for:
* Self-healing
* Rejuvenation
* Improving one's cognitve functions
* Developing one's mental potential - Wild Goose Qigong III
Wild Goose Qigong III is also called Kunlun Bagua Qigong. Through the simple turning over of the palms, and the natural left and right turn of the body, this delightful Qigong trains our upper and lower body coordination and how to shift body weight in an effortless way. Contrary to Bagua steps for self-defense, walking the circle steps in Kunlun Bagua is meditative and self-fulfilling. Together with the coiling of the wrists, it balances the yin and yang aspects of our bodies and promotes self-healing. It opens up the Conception and Governing vessels, and nourishes our internal organs. A Simple introduction to Bagua and its pertinence to Qigong is also included in this video.
- Wild Goose Qigong IV Spiral and Tripod Qigong
Wild Goose Tripod & Spiral Qigong is one of those rare jewels which can be enjoyed by both Qigong beginners and advanced practioners alike. Often taught before learning wild goose qigong II, Tripod & Spiral Qigong is unique in providing a variety of training within one set of Qigong movements: ranging from postures, relaxation, stretching, the free flow of Qi, and finally achieving the microcosmic orbit. Practicing this Qigong will have multiple health benefits, which include:
* Boosting one's immune system
* Improving one's cognitve functions
* Building up one's inner strength
* Alleviating common aches and pains. - Wild Goose Qigong V - Soft Palms
Soft Palms Qigong is well known for its lively and ever-flowing lines of movement. One trains coordination, relaxation, and agility in a most enjoyable way. Keeping palms relaxed and soft while moving both ones arms and legs creates a "centering-expanding" rhythm. Before long, a feeling of warmth radiates over the body, including fingers and toes (helping remedy cold and numbness of extremities in many individuals). Wild Goose V induces Qi to circulate in the 12 meridians and also opens the heart chakra so that you feel happy and elated. Practicing Soft Palms Qigong:
* Tonifies and strengthens your heart
* Helps prevent and heal heart disease
* Relieves anxiety and other negative emotions. - Wild Goose Qigong VI -Patting Along the Meridians
Wild Goose Qigong VI is also widely known as Patting Along the Meridians Qigong. One pats 12 meridians in a specific order and direction, combined with walking in the Kunlun Bauqua circle. In this way practitioners are able to open their crown and Bubbling Spring cupoints, relax, detoxify and nourish their internal organs. This lovely practice integrates moving Qigong with meditation. Its simple movements and meditative tempo make it enjoyable for everyone to practice regardless of age or physical strength. This Qigong is also well known for its curitive power in preventing Qigong deviations.
- Wild Goose Qigong VII - Back Stretching
Wild Goose Qigong VII stretches the spine and opens the Governing Vessel. It uses the deceptively simple Chinese figure eight movement to relax the entire waist and hips (GB-30 acu-point). Together with the Bagua steps and the whole body dipping down movements, this Qigong opens up the crown and the bottom of our feet (K-1 acu-point). At the same time, it effectively trains body coordination, relaxation, and sensory-motor awareness. Wild Goose VII is well know for its many health benifits:
* Alleviating lower back pain and shoulder pain
* Relieves stiff neck and knee problems
* Training body coodination and awareness
* Increasing flexibility
* Learning to feel Chi moving in the hips and waist
* Helping Yoga practice - Wild Goose Qigong VIII - Five Elements and Bagua
Wild Goose 8 Qigong is a showcase of how martial arts movements are incorporated into soft Qigong movements to enhance Qigong effects. Learn the secret of how quick and linear movements can stimulate Qi to permeate to the body surface, and how soft and gentle movements can stimulate Qi to run deep to nourish internal organs. This Qigong:
* Builds physical strength and stamina
* Brightens and sharpens eyesight and hearing
* Strengthens the governing vessel. - Wild Goose Qigong IX
Wild Goose Qigong 9 or chest opening aromatic Qigong, is an advanced Qigong in the Wild Goose system. Practicing This Qigong allows you to open up all your meridians, to mix your own Qi with the energy of the heavens and Earth (hun yun Qi), and to start making the coveted "inner elixir." Two specific techniques make this training possible: Defined movements are used to generate the circulation of Qi to the open chest area, and the olfactory sensation of an aroma, real or imaginary, is used as a catalyst for further quieting and relaxing your mind and body. This allows the Qi to move easily and smoothly inside and outside the body. Practicing the Qigong also has the benefit of immensely increasing sensitivity to Qi, thus improving ones ability to absorb the fresh energy from outside and get rid of dirty Qi.
Book Recommendations
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Qigong: Essence of the Healing Dance (Gary Garripoli – 1999)
This book is a nice introduction to qigong. It shares a breadth of qigong experience through the eyes of the author, his masters and many levels of practioners and includes exercises from the Wuji Hundun school. The only book on qigong I know of where the writing style has the same flow as qigong movement.
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The Way of Qigong: the Art and Science of Chinese Energy Healing (Ken Cohen– 1997)
This book is a clear and straighforward explanation of the field of qigong including some basics of Traditional Chinese Medicine, qigong history, exercises and applications in daily life. It is a very honest and practical guide to qigong written by perhaps the most highly-respected American qigong master. Ken Cohen also has some qigong and meditation tapes available at amazon: The Power of Qi: Qigong Meditations for Better Health & Spiritual Well-Being, The Practice of Qigong: Meditation & Healing, and Chi Kung Meditations: Taoist Inner Healing Exercises With Ken Cohen
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A Woman's Guide to Healing from Breast Cancer (Nan Lu – 1999)
This is an empowering guide to Traditional Chinese Medicine as it relates to the prevention and healing of breast cancer. Information is arranged into manageable bits to be digestible by women who may be overwhelmed with their diagnosis of cancer. Here are some other books on women's health by this very dedicated Chinese doctor: Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Natural Guide to Weight Loss That Lasts and Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Woman's Guide to a Trouble-Free Menopause
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The Complete Book of Chinese Health and Healing: Guarding the Three Treasures (Daniel Reid – 1994)
Dr Hu's favorite English language book on Chinese Medicine. Dense and thorough, Reid's book emphasizes Taoist theory and qigong. Reid is a serious student of Taoist philosophy and practice and has written several books on Taoism, Chinese Medicine and qigong.
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Healing with Whole Foods: Oriental Traditions and Modern Nutrition (Paul Pitchford – 1993)
A good reference combining Western, Chinese, Japanese and East Indian nutritional information. Pitchford primarily focuses on Chinese nutrition with a macrobiotic and vegetarian slant.