This is the online, text only version of the newsletter, "de Qi". This is the
newsletter of the Qigong Association of America. More information about our
organization is in the text. The original contains clarifying figures and
formatting not in this version.
(C)opyright 1995 Qigong Association of America
October 1995 Issue 1
de Qi
INSIDE:
2 Qigong & Mental Health
3 Seeing the Channels
5 Questions & Answers
6 Qigong Teacher Class
7 Wild Goose Qigong
What is Qigong? (by Chen, Hui-Xian)
Qigong is a Chinese term which has been recognized by
the United Nations. Qigong is an exercise to absorb vital energy from the
universe to recover health, prolong life and promote spiritual growth.
What is qi?
Qi is the basis of all life. Qi comprises and links everything in the universe.
From qi all creation arises and to it all creation returns.
Basically we divide qi into three levels:
The true qi - this is the very essence of all different levels of qi. It is the
beginningless, the mover and the movement. It can not be seen but truly
exists. It is eternal. We call it 'nothing'. Hidden inside the true qi are the
essential elements which give life to everything. We also call the true qi
'Tao'.
The taiji qi - From the true qi, there comes yang qi and yin qi. The light and
clean qi ascends to become the heaven while the dirty qi comes downward
to become the earth and other planets and stars. However, there is a small
amount of yin qi in the yang qi and there is a small yang qi in the yin qi. This
is the second level of qi. We call it 'Taiji' qi.
The conjugate qi - In the yang qi and yin qi, there exists the five elements:
wood, fire, metal, water and earth. As the universe moves on, the yang qi
descends and the yin qi ascends to conjugate. From the conjugate qi came
all creation. Matter develops from the conjugate qi and the five elements. This
is the third level of qi. We call it "conjugate qi".
Human being is the product of qi. In a human body, there are all these three
different levels of qi. We have the true qi. This is the vital energy, the life,
the soul. We have the yang and the yin qi, the Taiji qi and also the
conjugate qi - the sexual qi. These three types of qi interrelated with and
interact on each other. We call them Jin, Qi, Shen.
What is gong?
Gong means hard work, the process of perfecting yourself physically and
spiritually through time with constant efforts and attention.
Therefore, qigong is a method of self-cultivation which infuses the body
with blood and qi, bringing more energy to the internal organs, the nervous
systems, and the muscular system, etc. In this sense, we say, "Qi is
medicine" and qigong is a veteran healer whom you live with and who
treats you whenever and wherever you need him. Because qigong is the
practice of activation, refining and circulating the human bio-electric field
which maintains and supports the functions of the organs and tissues.
Also, self-applied health maintenance system to the refined level of spiritual
practice are in a set of connected steps. The development of the body, mind
and spirit all come from the evolution of one practice. In this sense, we say,
"Qi is consciousness" and it is your higher-self who guides you and your
spiritual growth.
I write this short message for the premier issue of the Newsletter of Qigong
Association of America as a congratulation!
Chen Hui-xian
Research In China
The Second World Conference on Academic Exchange of Medical Qi Gong
I (Dean) recently received a booklet of selected abstracts of the conference
that was held last September. It was reprinted by China Healthways
Institute in San Clemente, CA. If you want to know more than presented
here, they will probably send you a copy. Their phone number is (714) 361-
3976.
I am going to review some of the most interesting abstracts:
The Role of Qigong on Mental Health by Wang Jisheng, Institute of
Psychology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences.
This abstract included three experiments. The first compared people doing
qigong for over two years (119 cases) with a group exercising for less than
two years (153 cases). The study showed that the longer you practice
qigong, the better your mental health. They tested with some standardized
test and measured mental health in terms of 13 different items. There was
remarkable improvement is all but two of the items.
They also tested 27 people that exercised qigong for 4 months. Those
people also showed remarkable improvement in 11 of 13 items. The two
non-remarkable items were different in this case. So, even short term
practice improves mental health.
The second experiment explored the role of qigong on type A behavior. 89
cases in the qigong group and 144 cases in the control group. The
percentage of type A behavior in the qigong group was 22.43% and 51.39%
in the control group. He concluded that qigong is helpful in changing type
A behavior.
The third experiment studied psychosomatic disorders which he said
included coronary heart disease, hypertension, gastric ulcer, etc. I have a
little trouble understanding his numbers but his conclusion indicated
significant improvement. The longer you practice, the better. He saw
similar results with 33 cancer patients.
A Trip To China (by Annie Chozinski)
Annie was part of a trip to China with Professor Chen in 1994. The 1995
trip was canceled.
What a monumental challenge it is to write about my
experience in China in a single page. My memory and stories will be so
different from anyone else's in our group, but together, we might paint a
colorfully complete picture! Be sure to ask all of us our version of China
and you will be showered with images from the Orient! In fact, its sooo
hard to write from the perspective of `one' when most of this experience was
encountered as a "we" that I will slip into the "plural pronoun" mode as I
write this account of China. As you listen to our stories you'll hear the
name Chen quite often. But beware, we had our beloved Master Chen with
us, Professor Chen from our hosting Institute in China, and Master Chen's
brother who we only knew as "Chen's brother!" So many Chens, so little
time!
Packing Soaring Crane Qigong, Cosmic Qigong and Turtle Longevity
Qigong ideas and forms with me to China I immediately had to let go of all
of this to welcome a new form, Essence Qigong, which Professor Chen
from the Chinese Academy of Somatic Sciences taught us. This form
makes me feel very holy when I do it, no joke! Its slow and sacred. It
makes me aware of every cell in my body. Professor Chen told us this form
is a result of the experience and vision of many Qigong Masters who
combined the best of all into this new "Raw Essence Qigong." We got up
every morning and met outside the hotel to practice this form as a group.
Throughout the form you can allow your mind to entertain these mantras, "I
am standing with my head in heaven and my feet on the earth, "I am in
harmony with the universe," "I am like a channel between heaven and
earth." We'll do our best to bring this form to you the next time we meet.
We were treated like emperors and empresses. We witnessed things
never seen before in China as achieved by persons practicing Qigong for
years. We were participants and observers in many healing sessions by
Qigong Masters from all over China. We sat and listened to many teachers
instruct us on Buddhism, Taoism, acupuncture, and of course - Qigong. We
scribbled notes, asked many questions and took lots of pictures! They came
to us from all over China, some traveling all day just to get to us. How
honored we were to receive such knowledge, healing and love.
As we added all this new information to our repertoire of spiritual tools
and healing techniques we couldn't help but feel gratitude for all that we
have access to in the United States. We are a very rich people, in all senses
of the word, and we have much to share with the world. It feels like a
"bridge" has been built from our hearts to their hearts, from America to
China, connecting West to East, once more. What a privilege to have been
a part of such a trip! Thank you Master Chen for bringing us to your native
country, China. We look forward to another trip if possible, soon. But now,
we focus back on our own lives here in the States using Qigong to lighten
our way. Blessings to all who shared this trip and hold a piece of the story,
together we are much more than any of us alone could be.
Seeing the Channels
We have received permission to translate and publish articles from the
magazine Qigong and Science - we found this one quite interesting.
VISUALIZATION OF THE CHANNELS AND ACUPOINTS
Zhang Xioyan. (Qi Gong and Science Vol. 1, 1994)
Dr. Zhong Chuan-yuan of Beijing Xuan Wu Hospital and I have repeated
experiments using The Eight Methods of the Turtle Spirit to time
acupuncture treatments. The results summarized below lead to a
conceptualization of the movement of qi and the channels through which it
flows.
1. The channels are liquid in form.
When I observe the inner body the liquid channels are illuminated by qi and
this liquid flows slowly between tissues of the skin, muscles, organs and
tendons and is without form unless changed by external influences. When
the acupuncture needle is inserted and stimulated at an acupoint the qi is
gathered at that point, energy is expended making the liquid in the channel
flow faster led by a point of light --- the qi. The qi pauses briefly at
acupoints where it glows like a star and continues flowing.
To summarize:
A. Channels are at different depths (levels) within the tissues of the body.
B. Channel sizes vary among people according to age, the size of the
individual, health and strength. Everyone is different.
C. Channel size will also change within the individual as the time of day,
different spaces and places influences the body in different ways. Strong or
weak movement within the channels will reflect the time of day--- whether
day or night, sun or moon, the stars and the tides. At its working hour (a
specific time) a certain channel will open bigger and stronger and the active
qi is the qi of that time. When that channel is open the flow is strong.
D. Channel sizes vary and the same channel may be a different size in
different parts of the body. The twelve main channels and the other eight
principle channels may be thought of as rivers and their branches as
tributaries that form a crisscross grid throughout the body. Places where
they intersect are the main acupoints. The rate of movement of qi is
influenced by acupuncture.
E. When I looked within the channels of the inner body appear like light--of
different colors in a definite pattern when given external power. For
example in the four arms the channel color is light blue; inside the body
where two channels intersect the point may be red, blue or light yellow;
some crossing points may be blue/purple or the inner one blue and the outer
one red. These lights appear as threads or strings, flat or round or as balls.
At the Bai Hui and the Shan Gen points the lights are purple and rotate like
whirlpools.
2. The shapes of the points and their function:
A. The points connected by the crisscross net or grid are like stars
twinkling, large and small, strong and weak and are of different shapes.
They spread out at different levels and into spaces within the body. Within
the Nei Guan and the Wai Guan the appear to be of a flat/round shape
(laterally compressed) connected to each other in the middle. If the
acupuncture needle is inserted deeply into the Nei Guan then the Wai Guan
point stretches and qi flows in the Wai channel. The Bai Hui, Jing Ming,
Da Zhui and Zu San Li shine most brightly. Other lesser points are not as
bright. All acupoints are three dimensional and have space within.
Different points feel different as their shapes are different.
B. All points store some electrical energy.
C. Both sides of all points are connected with channels.
D. All points act as pumps and respond to stimulation from needles, and
massage. The points respond strongly or weakly according to the energy
they receive, and then reproduce energy differently. These points or pumps
stimulate qi liquid in the channels and cause it to flow among muscles,
nerves, organs and cells. thereby strengthening blood flow, so as to treat
diseases and build up health. Acupuncture and massage can be regarded as
energy transfers or energy sources.
3. The positions and shapes of the intersections of the eight principle
channels when performing acupuncture according to the hour of The Eight
Methods of the Turtle Spirit:
A. All the points of the Ying channels (Lie Que, Zhao Hai, Gong Sun and
Nei Guan) join at the Tian Tu at the throat then continue in parallel down to
the Zhong Yuan to form a plum-sized pool that part feels hot and has a rosy
color.
B. All the points on the Yang channel ( such as Wai Guan, Lin Shi, Hou Xi,
and Zhong Mai) meet at the Tian Mu (around the eyes and nose) and this
point or intersection has the shape of a fan shining with rosy-purple light
and moving to the left circle in front of the Dan Tian.
4. The existence of the Zhong Mai or Middle Channel:
When I practiced qigong or from acupuncture I had an awareness of a
straight channel from Bai Hui to Hui Ying. At first it was small and fine.
After practicing qi gong the channel became bigger and later became a
crystal clear red pipe. Not everyone has the middle channel or can keep it
open. The middle channels among ordinary people are like dotted lines .
Use of the middle channel has a special purpose that can be learned only by
exercise.
Research in the USA
Research in China is so extensive that complete hospitals are devoted to
qigong treatments. The research in America is just beginning.
The following is taken from an article in Longevity Magazine in June 1994.
The article is titled Chi Gong Ho by Franny Heller Zorn.
Wen-hsien Wu, M.D., is director of the Pain Management Center of the
University of Medicine and Dentistry in Newark, New Jersey. He has been
the director for 14 years and has just recently turned to qigong for his
patients. He had tried everything on his "most desperate" pain patients.
After just six qigong sessions over a period of six weeks his patients' pain
was significantly reduced. The National Institute of Health's Office of
Alternative Medicine gave Wu a grant this year to further study his pain
patients.
William Tiller, Ph.D., professor emeritus of engineering at Stanford's
department of materials science and engineering believes that "humans are
potential sources and may be conscious detectors of subtle energies." He
published a paper in 1991 in the Journal of Scientific Exploration. He wrote
up a paper that, he says, "provides evidence that energy is emitted from the
human body or mind."
Elmer Green, Ph.D., (the father of biofeedback) is the retired director of the
Center for Applied Psychophysiology at the Menninger Clinic. He has
conducted experiments comparing the electrical charges coming from the
bodies of meditators and healers. According to Green, the implications of
qi are beyond medicine's wildest dreams. Using it, he says, "you can take
charge of 80 to 90 percent of your physiological problems and handle them
yourself."
Kenneth Sancier, Ph.D., a senior scientist at the Stanford Research Institute
says: "There are physiological and clinical changes in brain waves, blood
circulation, blood pressure, heartbeat, and respiration that alleviate
hypertension, cardiovascular problems, kidney disease, asthma and cancer."
Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City recently started a
qigong elective for stressed-out medical students.
Questions
This section is meant to be a letters to the editor column. You are
encouraged to send in questions. If we can't answer them, we will try to
find someone that can.
WHAT IS QIGONG?
Qigong comes from two Chinese words: Qi (chi) means energy and gong
(kung) means a skill or a practice. Qigong therefore means a skill or
practice of cultivating energy.
There are various kinds of qigong -- broadly categorized as internal and
external. Internal qigong is much like meditation, with visualizations in
order to guide the energy. External qigong includes movement
accompanying the meditation.
Qigong is famous in China for curing chronic disease and promoting health.
IS QIGONG NEW?
Qigong is the most ancient of the Chinese arts. It is at the basis of Chinese
medicine and the Chinese martial arts.
WHY HAVE I NEVER HEARD OF IT?
Qigong was suppressed when the Communists took over China. It has only
been about 15 years since the government has allowed the practice. Soaring
Crane Qigong was the style that led the reemergence of qigong in modern
China.
Today qigong is encouraged in China because of the dramatic improvement
in the health of those that practice it.
IS QIGONG LIKE TAI CHI?
Tai chi is a form of external qigong. Tai chi has more of an emphasis on the
martial arts and movement, where qigong has its emphasis on energy and
healing.
DO I HAVE TO BELIEVE IN QI?
Qi (chi) means energy and is often a difficult concept for Westerners. You
do not have to accept this concept to benefit from qigong.
Explanations of how qigong work can be made using accepted Western
concepts:
1. The mind/body connection: We now realize that the state of your mind
affects the state of your body. Stress is the clearest example -- people that
cannot handle stress are more susceptible to disease.
2. Using visualization to treat disease: Cancer patients often have dramatic
results when using appropriate visualizations to stimulate their immune
systems.
WHAT IS SOARING CRANE QIGONG?
Chinese Soaring Crane Qigong is an external form of qigong. It consists of
slow movements accompanied by visualizations.
The basic form consists of five parts -- called the Five Routines. These Five
Routines take about 30 minutes to perform. They activate the main energy
channels in the body.
Beyond the basic form, there are various additions:
1. The seven Remedy Routines -- short forms for treating various diseases.
2. Standing Meditation -- a free-form exercise addressing your own specific ailments.
3. Crane Walking Steps -- a simple form for children.
4. Sitting and Lying Meditations -- visualizations without movement.
5. Cosmic Qigong -- a very advanced form only taught in China.
WHAT IS EMITTED QI?
Qi that is transmitted from one person to the other. There are many forms
of energy emitted from the human body and acknowledged in the West.
The ones relevant to qigong are:
1. Infrasound energy - low frequency sound in the range of 8 to 14 Hz.
2. Infrared light energy (heat)
3. Magnetic field energy
Teachers
In January of 1995, 13 people graduated from Professor Chen's first North
American teacher training class.
The three-day training culminated 22 months of Professor Chen's coming to
Corvallis. Graduates completed the level 1 class (the Five Routines), the
level 2 class (Standing Meditation), 12 monthly evening classes and this
three-day training. There was a written test and students were tested for
their Qigong form.
Terry Caron
1076 Taylor
Eugene, OR 97402
(503) 484-4420
Annie Chozinski
7040 NW Oak Creek
Corvallis, OR 97330
(503) 758-6433
Robert Eric Duran
1112 Siletz Hwy.
Lincoln City, OR 97367
(503) 994-9897
Susan Hoffman
2224 NW 11th
Corvallis, OR 97330
(503) 752-3112
Lea Houston
24662 Ervin Rd
Philomath, OR 97370
(503) 929-2605
Jolene Kirkland
Box 217
Alsea, OR 97324
(503) 487-4172
Deborah Oceana McDermott
10190 SE 37th
Milwaukie, OR 97222
(503) 653-0551
Victor Mizan
PO Box 396
Canby, OR 97013
(503) 263-5057
Nan Tonkin
PO Box 1176
Philomath, OR 97370
(503) 929-2201
Solala Towler
1991 Garfield St.
Eugene, OR 97405
(503) 345-8854
Robert S. Vogel
PO Box 7811
Eugene, OR 97401
(503) 741-3824
Dean & Yanling Johnson
27133 Forest Springs Lane
Corvallis, OR 97330
(503) 745-2013
Sound & Vibration
Sound? Low frequency body vibrations (sound) have a lot to do with
qigong. We will be exploring the effect of sounds on the human body on
this column. - DJ
Infrasonic energy, sound in the range below 20 Hz, have been found to be
related to qigong.
The human body has a lot of activity in this range. People with chronic
illnesses have a much lower level. Qigong masters have a much higher
level.
There are machines available that reproduce this infrasound.
Other aspects of qigong relate to either the production of sound by the body
or conduction of sound through the body.
1. When using entrainment audio tapes while doing qigong, the qi feeling is
enhanced.
2. Acupuncture research in China has found the acupuncture meridians to
be conductors of sound energy and you can use sound to verify the paths of
the channels.
3. Often qigong practitioners feel strong vibrations in their body.
4. This level of vibrancy can be used as a measure of health.
These and other topics will be explored in future issues.
Wild Goose Qigong
I (Dean) was a little reluctant to try another type of qigong. After three
years with Soaring Crane, I'd gotten a little set in my ways.
I have missed going to seminars. Professor Chen had her last visit to
Corvallis in January and I do miss meeting with qigong people.
Qigong is a pretty solitary sport and, once a person learns it, it isn't
necessary to meet with others. So, I jumped at a chance to attend a seminar
in Portland.
The seminar was sponsored by One With Heart (503-231-1999), a good-
hearted group led by Janesa Kruse. The instructor was Master Wen-Mei Yu
(818-753-1338). She was taught by Grandmaster Yang Mei Jun of Beijing.
Master Yu seems to be quite famous. She has been on the cover of various
magazines -- Inside Martial Arts, Kung Fu, etc. She also teaches various
styles of martial arts. We saw demonstrations that included sword and spear
work. She also has studied and teaches Soaring Crane Qigong.
Wild Goose Qigong consists of 64 steps that roughly follow the movements
of a wild goose. Once learned, the form takes 15 to 17 minutes. The speed
varies from slow like Soaring Crane to parts that seem too fast. The moves
flow nicely from one to the other.
One disadvantage is that you need more space -- 6 steps forward and 7 steps
to the left. This means that I have to do it outside. (It may inspire me to
clean out the garage.)
The course was taught over two days, 9:00 - noon and 2:00 - 5:00 each day.
The teaching style was straight forward: five to 10 steps are first
demonstrated, then practiced separately, and then practiced with the
previously learned steps. With this style I found I learned the first parts
much better than the last parts because the first parts were much more
practiced.
Master Yu was assisted by Gerald Sharp, so we had two teachers to watch
and to offer advice -- this was nice.
There were parts of this form very similar to Soaring Crane -- the spreading
of the wings and the jerk arms were almost identical.
There were parts I found very interesting -- the hands are shaken/vibrated
while moving qi and also while holding the abdomen or back. The shaking
reminds me much of the vibration I often feel after doing qigong.
All in all, I like this form a lot. I hope to learn it well. I felt quite a lot of qi
when doing it.
There are some good training video tapes available.
Another problem is that there is no English book available yet. There is one
planned. When it is available, Wild Goose Qigong should become very
popular in America.
Master Yu is planning to be back in Portland on January 26, 27 & 28. It
isn't clear what she will be teaching. If there is enough interest, we could
possibly persuade her to come to Corvallis either before or after her
Portland classes. Please contact us soon if interested.
Coming Up
In Eugene:
Solala is teaching:
Five routines Nov. 11 & 12 in Eugene and the following weekend in
Portland
call to register: (503) 345-8854
Starting November 1st and continuing for three weekends:
Qigong/Tai Chi form especially designed to raise and circulate qi
throughout the system. taught by Mark Johnson.
Call Solala at (800) 574-5118 for more information or to register.
Terry is teaching:
A six week class Tuesday nights starting in January. Call Terry at 484-4420
to information.
In Portland:
Professor Chen is teaching
Level I (Five Routines): September 16 & 17 and October 28 and 29
Level II (Standing Meditation): December 2 & 3
In Corvallis:
Dean & Yanling Johnson are teaching Soaring Crane Qigong 7-9 PM
Tuesday nights at Linn-Benton Community College. There will be another
course starting in January.
In Florence:
Annie Chozinski and Terry Caron will be teaching a weekend seminar on
October 27, 28 & 29. Call Terry at 484-4420 for more information.
Registration is through Lane Community College in Eugene.
De Qi
De Qi is the newsletter of the Qigong Association of America. The name
loosely translates as "I feel the energy". The term is often used in
acupuncture. When the patient feels the qi sensation, "de qi" is the correct
response.
For me, the thing that separates Qigong from other exercises is the qi
feeling. The feeling comes quite early in training and is a great motivator.
The newsletter will be published quarterly. That's the plan. We appreciate
the patience of the subscribers. Those that subscribed before the publication
of this issue are rewarded by the doubling of their subscription. There is a
number on your address label. It indicates the last issue you're paid for.
People that make contributions (articles) are rewarded with free issues. If
we provide a free mailing of the newsletter, your subscription will be
increased so you get it free also.
Normal rates are $10 for 4 issues.
Qigong Association
The Qigong Association was established by Yanling and Dean Johnson with
the purpose of bringing Chinese Soaring Crane Qigong and other types of
Qigong to America.
We've bought copyrights for the training tapes, produced a training tape and
helped translate and publish the book.
We hope to be a clearing house for information about Chinese Soaring
Crane Qigong including having an up to date listing of teachers. If you are
a teacher, please let us know. People call us often asking for teachers in
their area. We often have to tell them we have no one listed for their area.
By the way, we have a phone dedicated to the Qigong Association: (503)
745-6310 Our area code is changing in November, so the new number will
be (541) 745-6310.
If you want to contact us by email: DeanJohn@aol.com
Our mailing address is 27133 Forest Springs Lane, Corvallis, OR 97330
THE BACKPAGE:
Hello, friends!
Good that I can "talk "to you now. I have two pieces of good news to
tell you:
1. I've learned an amazingly simple, but incredibly good qigong--it's
become the most popular type now in China and in Taiwan, even a
little more popular than our Soaring Crane. When people exercise,
many people can give off fragrant smell of various kinds of flowers.
So its name is Fragrant-Wisdom, or according to the Taiwanese,
Chinese Aura Qigong. I can do it when I walk around, or talk to Dean,
and my stomach often makes more noise than when I do other types
of qigong. It's extremely easy to learn, especially for seniors and for
young children. I plan to teach it if I can get more than ten people.
There will be tapes and a book available. If you are interested,
please contact us.
2. Charlie Wu, professor at Reed College, is planning a qigong trip
to China. The group will stop at Hong Kong, then visit a well-known
beautiful island, Shia Men, and its ancient temples. The workshop
will be at the famous Wu Yi Mountains, and the group will visit its
ancient scenic places. Three meal a day: western breakfast,
Chinese lunch and dinner. The whole cost will be $2250. Anyone
who is interested please contact us ASAP, so Charlie can organize it
for us. Please fill out the form below and let us know what you would
like to do on such a trip. Thank you and wish you all good luck. -
Yanling
Name:
__________________________________________________
Address:
__________________________________________________
City/State/ZIP:
__________________________________________________
Phone:
__________________________________________________
What you would like to do/see on the trip:
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
Send to: Qigong Association of America
27133 Forest Springs Lane
Corvallis, OR 97330
Questions? Call us at 503 745-6310 (541 745-6310 after 11/95)