Flower Displays Buddha

Last week's Tai Chi class covered the Daoyin steeping, body rotation and the Shang fist of flower displays Buddha (开花现佛 Kaihua Xianfo) and this week's class we looked in depth at the arms. I really enjoyed learning this Liver exercise, especially as the teacher covered the Wu Xing (五行) or Five Elements. Through other martial arts and my reading I had some basic knowledge however had never been formally taught about it. I really enjoyed learning about how it relates to the Stress Prevention Exercises (Weiji Yufang Gong), and the logic behind the different exercises in relation to their properties and subsequent effect on the body's functions and Chi. I am certainly looking forward to learning more, and really think that even the basic understanding of Wu Xing I have will help me more appreciate the subtle intricacies of these exercises.

As much as I have been enjoying the Daoyin this week, I have been really struggling with the Chen form. This week I have been trying to get to grips with Lazily Tying Coat (懒扎衣 lǎn zhā yī) and think I will need another week before moving on to Six Sealing and Four Closing (六封四闭 liù fēng sì bì). I really can't wait for the next seminar to touch base with a teacher! Until then I will keep trying my best.

Weiji Yufang Gong - Stress Prevention

Over the past couple of weeks I have been going to a class which teaches Gordon Faulkner's Daoyin Yangsheng Gong Stress Prevention (Weiji Yufang Gong) routine.

So far we have covered Taiji Breathing (Taiji Tiaoxi) and Sink Qi to the Dantian (Qichen Dantian), Round Fan Covers the Moon (Tuanshan Zheyue) and the recent lesson Buffalo Plows the Land (Liniu Gengdi). What I really enjoy is the pace, each week we recap what we did the week before, then move on to the next exercise.  It gives you a week to practice the one move you have covered, and allows the move and the theory shared by the teacher time to sink in. Faulkner's book, Managing Stress with Qigong adds further depth (and indeed reminders of the theory covered in class).

So this week I will be working on Buffalo Plows the Land and getting to grips with the first 3 parts of Chen Style Laojia I was taught on the seminar.

One must try everyday to expand ones limits ~ Sosai Mas Oyama