Physically sensing the energy channels
Meridian Qigong/Meridian Daoyin
By Markus Ruppert
In Meridian Qigong, developed by Cong Lin, each of the meridians assigned to the functional circuits of the organs are activated by means of specific exercises. This enables Qigong practitioners not only to intensify and sense the flow of qi in their body, but also to extend their knowledge of the meridian paths. Markus Ruppert provides insight into this set of exercises and the movement qualities of the organ function circuits and gives examples that highlight the effects of these exercises.
Is Taijiquan an internal martial art?
By Christian Unverzagt
Taijiquan is frequently referred to as an »internal martial art«, but it’s not really clear what this means. Christian Unverzagt has made a thorough investigation of this issue and explains the historical sources for this term, also citing criticism of these sources’ credibility. Here he sets out the temporal circumstances that may explain various references to an »internal school/ style« and what this term might actually have referred to in each historical period.
In the second part of his article he will describe how the term »internal school/style« became more broadly used and how its interpretation has changed. The focus now shifts to self-cultivation and the development of jin as criteria for differentiating »internal« from »external martial arts«; however, on closer consideration this differentiation might not be sustainable.
Understanding the Laws of Life
Ren Xue – ancient wisdom for modern times
In recent decades a system of teachings has arisen under the name Ren Xue, with the aim of cultivating life as a whole. It has been developed by Yuan Tze and from its origin in New Zealand has spread all around the world. The practical exercise element has its own form of Qigong that includes moving and still exercises. In an interview with Barbara Nowak, Yuan Tze talked about his own path through life, the goals and methods of Ren Xue and the need to address the underlying causes of unhealthy behaviour patterns in order to achieve a sustainable, healthy and happy state which will also positively affect those around you.
Body awareness and dealing with emotions
Dancing with the elephant
By Ralf Rousseau
In the previous issue Ralf Rousseau explained how, as a consequence of European culture, our ability to sense inside ourselves is often limited and how we first need to regain this ability. In the second part of his article he addresses the relationships between body posture/ movement/facial expression and emotional experience; these levels are in constant interaction with each other. Conscious sensing and awareness enables emotions to be integrated and newly networked, whereby they become less significant. This is an area where Western science and Eastern experiential knowledge come to very similar conclusions.
Confucius’Teaching about Learning
Examining the writings of Kongzi for practitioners of Taijiquan and Qigong
By Dietlind Zimmermann
Confucian teaching, as one of the essential philosophical schools of thought in China, has had a major influence on how we practice Qigong and Taijiquan today, even if we are often unaware of this influence. Dietlind Zimmermann explains this knowledge gap in the light of the zeitgeist that originally brought these Chinese movement arts to the West, also considering the nature of the early translations. It’s certainly worthwhile engaging with Kongzi, as she shows with respect to the activities of learning and teaching: for Confucius these were a key theme in human development.
In the second part of her article on Kongzi, she will take his text »Doctrine of the Mean« as basis for considering his teachings on how people develop their personality and how they can live together harmoniously.