The World of the Fascia – an introduction
By Heinz Peter Steiner
It’s hard to find a “school of movement” that has not yet developed a special focus on the fascia. In Qigong and in Taijiquan however there has been little information on this aspect to date. Heinz Peter Steiner provides an overview of the structure, function and influence of the fascia on our biological system. In the following issue he will devote a second part to practical examples of what is needed for a “fascial extension” of Qigong and Taijiquan movements.
Nice and nasty. How does the mind trick the mind?
By Daniel Grolle
Taijiquan involves very fine motor control and a very precise perception of both one’s own movements and external forces. In this area, we can be hindered by the tendency of the human mind to develop ideas or perceptions, based on experience or information, that superimpose on reality. For Daniel Grolle this tendency is an important theme of his teaching and here he presents a simple partner exercise intended to shift the mind off of its normal tracks by means of “nice and nasty” interventions. These can generate greater freedom in the mind and more ‘permeability’ in the body.
Life-care through the seasons, Part 3: Spring
By Zheng Buyin
In traditional Chinese medicine, which includes many Qigong methods, it is always emphasised that in order to maintain health it is very important to adjust one’s behaviour to the seasons. Essential areas here, besides the emotions, nutrition and lifestyle habits, are Qigong and acupressure. Zheng Buyin explains how we can use these five aspects to harmonise ourselves with the rising yang energy of spring.
Burn-out Treatment. Developing viable concepts of living with meditative Oriental forms of practice
Interview with Alexandra Gusetti
Qigong offers many opportunities as a meditative-emotional path – also for people suffering from a burn-out. This is because meditative methods are traditional methods for insight and understanding. With the “Integrative Burn-out Therapy”, Alexandra Gusetti has developed an effective treatment concept that uses meditative and energy-related work in the form of Qigong or Yoga as a healing principle. The support provided to participants does not involve giving burn-out sufferers the “correct” solutions in the form of nutrition, lifestyle, fitness and/or stress management and thus immediately rendering them fit for work and everyday life. Instead, it is more about a decelerated reconsideration – whereby ‘consideration’ here refers to a holistic process – of one’s own basic values, as well as the values of society. In the interview with Dr Carola Göring, Alexandra Gusetti talks about burn-out, the Integrative Burn-out Therapy and how meditative-contemplative work can be an enrichment not only for the person learning the method, but also for the person teaching it.
Taijiquan – The Name of the Martial Art
By Christian Unverzagt
The Name “Taijiquan” is based on the philosophical term “Taiji”, the meaning of which in Chinese intellectual history is far from clear. Taking the Taijiquan Lun as point of departure, Christian Unverzagt explains what Confucian and Daoist scholars took Taiji to mean, often in close relationship to Wuji, and how these ideas were received by Taijiquan masters. Wuji, as the undivided source or absolute stillness, not only forms the starting point for Taiji but also the basis for every movement.
The ITKA Taiji College. A step towards a full-time Taijiquan training programme
By Almut Schmitz
In Europe, Taijiquan training programmes generally take the form of weekend seminars and weekly courses. The “Taiji College” in Sicily under the leadership of Gianfranco Pace demonstrates how things can be done differently. This school offers a number of variants in which it is possible to train daily in line with one’s own possibilities, and also to live there if required. The goal is to pass on the entire system of traditional Chen Taijiquan in close contact with the teacher. Almut Schmitz visited the Taiji College to take a closer look.