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Chi Kung, Qi Gung and Qigong are all different spellings for the same energy practice, but all pronounced in the same way "Che Gung". Michael is a qualified Qigong Teacher and provides classes in Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi, Standing like a tree and Fragrant Buddha Qigong.
I am often asked what Qigong is, and what it can do. Many books will describe it as "Cultivating your personal energy" but another description describes it more accurately and that is "Breathwork". It is an ancient system developed to connect our inside world with the outside world, or the internal with the external. The air that we breathe, and more importantly what we do with that air and how we do it is the key to maintain a high vibration, which enables us to achieve and maintain, balance, good health and wellbeing and as a result a higher and better quality of life itself. These are all things that can be achieved by using
Michael has a regular class with the Ashington Stroke club where he has taught Qigong for almost 10 years. Anyone who lives in South East Northumberland and has suffered a stroke is very welcome to join the club, as well as their carers, and attend the Qigong classes, and other events they run. The venue is the Age UK building in Ashington town centre and they have meetings twice each month with Michael doing the the first Friday of the month. He also teaches internal chi kung Nei Dan) exercises for the group as well.
Michael is currently looking for a new venue in the Cramlington area to restart a group there. Keep returning for updates on this. He currently can provide classes for small groups of up to 3 people from his home. Please email for details if you are interested in either joining a new group in the Cramlington area or at his home near Blyth.
Qigong encourages the free flow of chi (energy) throughout the body; this is achieved by a series of graceful flowing coordinated movements coupled with stretching which open energy gates and channels.
Key to Qigong practice, and the very corner stone of its practice is deep belly breathing (except Fragrant Buddha) which helps direct the energy through the body. There are hundreds of Chi Kung and Qigong styles some going back centuries.
Often referred to as the 18 movements, Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi was created in 1982 by Professor Lin Housheng (above) who was the former director of the Shanghai Qigong research institute. Although relatively new in comparison to the majority of styles many of his techniques date back centuries.
If you like large graceful flowing movements, you'll love the Shibashi style. Its a meditation to movement, that not only looks mesmerising to watch, but it is soothing, calming, exhilarating and highly enjoyable to perform, Click here to find out more and watch the video.
The Fragrant Buddha or Xiang Gong is a completely opposite style by comparison, but is regarded as one of the most powerful Chi Kung you can perform. In 1988 it began to be taught openly in china by Master Tiam Rusheng after being kept secret for centuries.
It is believed that it was channelled from the spirit world to a Buddhist monk.
It got its name for the reason that when practised, especially by a group of people it gave off a sweet fragrant smell by the body, hence the name fragrant or aromatic Chi Kung emerged.
Unlike the majority of styles there is no coordinated breathing, and no focusing during the entire practice. In fact this gives it more appeal to those who find it difficult to focus, and you can even watch TV as you practice it.
Like the Shibashi it can be practised sitting down as well as standing up and takes around 20 minutes to complete. This works well with those who have been attuned to Reiki in that the hand positions mostly face each other and it helps to make the palms more sensitive to feeling energies.
This system although not flowing like many others is also enjoyable, and has numerous benefits, in fact it is also said that it would be easier and quicker to write about the things it cant do rather than what it can.
Fragrant Buddha became one of China's most popular Qigongs, practised by millions of people all around the world.
Below are two of the Qigongs I teach.
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