It is a common knowledge that qigong exercises help to maintain or prolong good health & vitality. There are countless qigong exercises which are available to the public. Daoist (Taoist) Qigong has been around for thousands of years in China and they have greatly influenced Shaolin or Chinese Buddhist Qigong. Even the well-known Shaolin Brain Marrow Washing Muscle-Tendons Exercises manual was written by a Taoist priest during the Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644).
The Daoist followers of the Way or Dao (Tao) were always seeking ways to attain both immortality and their ultimate goal. They devised exercises which were beneficial to their well-being. These exercises involved the cultivation of qi (chi) and the coordination of the mind, breath and the body.
The system of Wuji (Wu Chi meaning Emptiness & Void) was developed more than 4000 years ago by Daoists who needed to maintain good health, energy & vitality. In those days where the level of medical care was low, they developed qigong exercises to maintain or improve their well-being. They developed forms which were in harmony with nature, such as the cloud, rain, wind and thunder etc. This art of Wuji subsequently found its way into the Shaolin Temple. Legend had it that Chang San Feng whilst going through the Wuji manuscripts was puzzled as to what they meant until one day he realised its content and called it Taiji (Tai Chi). However this is merely one of the different versions relating to Chang San Feng
One of the famous Daoist Master called Hua To (Wah Toh) was an expert on the Daoist Five Animals Gung Fu (Kung Fu) & Qigong, which were based on the Deer, Bird, Monkey, Tiger & Bear. He existed during the Three Kingdoms period (220 - 264 CE). Hua To is being taught in Malaysia by Yap Leong's si-hing, Lum Koon Hoog, who is another disciple of the late Grandmaster Chee Kim Thong.
The Qigong techniques were incorporated into martial art forms in systems like Wuji, Taiji, Wuju (Five Ancestors), Hsing I, Bagua (Pakua), Shaolin or Hua To. In this case the objective is both martial and health with the hand or leg strokes very much for defense and offense.
The Daoists principle is based on the harmony and interaction between Man, Heaven & Earth (Tien, Di, Ren), the Yin & Yang and the Five Elements (wuxing) of Metal, Water, Wood, Fire & Man (Jin, Shui, Mu, Huo, Tu).
The Man-Heaven-Earth (Tien-Di-Ren) concept dictates that the three must be in harmony. Man supports Heaven (Mind). Heaven supports Earth and Earth supports Man in a continuous cycle. In this context Man must always be rooted to Earth and linked to Heaven (Mind). He cannot be doing proper Qigong & Meditation when his mind (Heaven) is somewhere else. He should harmonize his body with his mind and be rooted (Earth). He needs to harness the positve chi of the universe (Heaven) and channel the negative chi through the Earth.
The Five Elements are represented in the human body by Lung (metal), kidney (water), Liver (wood), Heart (fire) & Spleen & Stomach (earth). Their sequence is based on the productive cycle i.e. metal produces water produces wood produces fire and finally produces earth. The cycle repeats itself with earth producing metal and so on. The destructive cycle will be metal destroys wood destroys earth destroys water destroys fire destroy metal and the cylcle repeats itself with metal destroying wood.
The Five Elements Qigong is based on this concept of reinforcing each element and supporting the other in a productive and harmonious cycle. Each Element encompasses the Yin & Yang which must also be in harmony i.e. neither one dominating the other. When one element is weakened or destroyed, the other elements are affected. Hence our overall health deteroriates and suffers.
In addition Qigong could be practised by utilising simple postures in stationary or fixed positions. They could be done in a standing, sitting on a chair, on the floor crossed-legged, semi or full lotus position.
Through years of practical experience, Sifu Leong has developed effective techniques for treating persistent or long term problems such as back pains, aches or even stretched marks after birth. His healing techniques have been successfuly tried out by others.
Sifu Yap Leong conducts regular qigong classes in London for health and martial arts. He teaches both the Five Elements and the Brain Marrow Washing Muscle-Tendons Qigong. The classes are held very Sunday from 11.30am to 12.30pm at the Urdang Academy, Finsubry Town Hall in Rosebury Aveuene, EC1R 4RO.
For those who are simply more interested in the health aspect, Sifu Yap Leong offers one to one private session qigong by arrangement.
Sifu Yap Leong: 10 Little Newport St., London WC2H 7JJ
Telephone: (00 44) 020 7734 6391
Email: shaolinway@btconnect.com