Opening oneself to the original spirit
The still exercises of Bafanhuangong (Part 1)
By Walter Gutheinz
In the field of Qigong a difference is drawn between moving and still exercises, whereby many Qigong systems include both. Taking Fanhuangong as an example, Walter Gutheinz describes the interplay of external and internal movement and how a path involving progressive breathing techniques and a gradual calming of thoughts and emotions enables one to approach the original spirit. In the first part he examines the breathing methods which progress from natural abdominal breathing by way of reverse abdominal breathing, whole-body breathing and interval breathing through to embryonic breathing. In the next issue of the journal he will turn to the final concluding stages: »Origin of Heaven« and »The Clear Yang«.
The Taiji principles as a corona crisis kit
By Claudia Sonnefeld
For many people who practice Taijiquan it is, among other things, a life art that accompanies us through highs and lows. So it seems natural to use its principles in the current exceptional situation in order to get through the crisis as calmly as possible and to make the best of things. Claudia Sonnefeld describes how certain aspects of Taijiquan, such as precise sensing of the forces acting on her, inner connection and centring, help her to perceive the various effects of the situation and also to recognise its positive aspects. As is so often the case, the crisis exposes strengths and weaknesses – both in oneself and in society – and hence can stimulate change.
Anatomy and Biomechanics
Understanding the importance of the »bubbling well«
By Holly Sweeney-Hillman
Some vivid Chinese terms describe, in their own way, physiological realities that play an important role in biomechanics. For instance, the right kind of weight loading on the physical Yongquan points on the soles of the feet can really transform them into »bubbling wells« through which ground reaction force can be absorbed and redirected. Holly Sweeney-Hillman describes how this is realised in the foot-related work of Taijiquan, also explaining how the structure of the body is created and maintained by movement. By means of weight loading on the Yongquan points we can make optimum use of our foot structure’s ability to absorb ground reaction force.
Ziranmen – an internal martial art
By Naseem Raufi and Dr. Thomas Diesner
Besides Taijiquan, Baguazhang and Xingyiquan there are various other, so-called »internal martial arts« that are hardly known in our part of the world. One of these is Ziranmen, which is also taught in Europe. Naseem Raufi and Dr. Thomas Diesner present the art of Ziranmen and also address the issue of what an internal martial art actually involves. In contrast to Taijiquan, Ziranmen training is not carried out on the basis of fixed forms but instead focuses on single techniques. The guiding concept here is Ziran – naturalness or natural spontaneity.
Corona = metal disbalance?
Lung Qigong or Qigong in the times of the coronavirus
By Angela Cooper
The Corona pandemic increases the relevance of cultivating the functional circuit of the lungs, but all other phases of transformation are challenged by the current situation as well. Angela Cooper explains these interrelationships from the perspective of TCM and devotes particular attention to the element of metal, which is assigned to the functional circuit of the lungs, and its importance for our immune system. She has compiled a short practice sequence of lung Qigong which we can use to promote and harmonise the flow of Qi in the lung and large intestine meridians.