A Time for A Fresh Start: Heaxagram 24 "Fu" ~ The Great Return

 

 Ancient Drawing of Fu Hsi founder of the I Ching

 

 

Hexagram 24 "Returning"

 

 According to traditional teachings of the I Ching (pronounced Yee Jing) Hexagram 24 relates to the Winter Solstice as a cosmological event. A turning point, a fresh start to recharge the self; which if one is diligent to practice brings success. The Taoist of China teach it as turning of bleakness back to the luminous the light. The winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, the day when darkness begins to decrease and the hours of daylight start to increase. This is the Tao of a turnaround—a time for letting go of the old and making way for the new; a time of new beginnings. And it all starts with YOU! 

Time to lose the social media, cable news and all the main stream B.S. and learn to shut the phone off and become less cyborg and more normal again. Work on the self and begin to heal from a year of chaos and confusion. All we have is today;... yesterday does not matter;... and the future is just chaos speculation of the mind.

 

We All Need A Focus Point

The above graph is a small snippet of how emotions harm the body from a Traditional Chinese Medical Philosophy view point. The over excitation of emotions damage the main body regulating organs. The government is lacking in providing information on how supplements, herbs and body cultivation is crucial in keep strong in face of any illness. People that follow Qigong or East Asian Healing Way of Life know what I am talking about. Chemical Medications, Vaccines and even weekly allergy shots will not balance you for the most part. I know from experience this how I ended up in these practice in my early teen years. So I am not a fan for sure, all I am saying is try the natural way first and see if it works for you. Western Medicine is backed by share holders and big business and I don't trust them.

 

So if you are into this type of teaching think about the solstice and possibly use it as a date to begin a fresh start. Be careful what you let into your mind and how you live youre life. Remember everyone out there in digital land is trying to influence youre attention and sell something. Shut it all done and become normal and balanced again. The simplest of practice could be the best practice. Focus on healing the inner weather of youre body/mind.

 

GWA   

 

 

 

Tai Chi 氣 Chi Flow Teacher Announcement

Congratulations to Bella Hebert for passing the  Tai Chi ~Chi Flow (太極氣流) Teacher Certification Test. She is one of the first students I began teaching the beginning elements of the system to here in Michigan three years ago. Bella is now Certified in the Level I of the Tai Chi ~Chi Flow System. 

 Bella has been teaching Qigong classes for several years now, runs a ongoing Qigong program in Livonia and in Lyon Township. A dedicated Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan practitioner as well.  I met Bella way back in fall of 2002 when I taught my first large group class of Qigong at Renaissance Unity Church. She has been a dedicated student and practitioner for over 16 years and understands my teachings of my master Teachers better than anyway here at Qigong Healing Centre. 

She also is a woman of many talents certified in Jose Silva Meditation Method, excellent painter, licensed hair stylist for many decades with a private clientele, great parent and grandparent to her family and much more. The most admired quality of Bella besides here of her long list of achievements is that of a Genuine person. Students and friends like her classes because of her aura of receptivity to participate and enjoy life.

GWA 
   

Sterling Heights Michigan - Qigong Classes with Gary W. Abersold

Late Summer - Autumn Qigong Classes

 with

 Gary W. Abersold

Introduction: There are new Tai Chi ~ Chi Flow Classes being held in Sterling Heights Michigan. By end of September I will have three teachers Certified whom after a 1 1/2 years practice and learning with me can effectively begin to teach the Energy Release, Chi Cultivation and beginner Flow Forms. So until then I am the only one that can properly teach this tradition. My goal is to be able to offer this abroad in Health Clubs, Community Centres, Gilda's Club, Youth Homes, people that are incarcerated, Military personal and Veterans. It's easy to learn and I have a vast amount of resource material for the serious student, that comes with the practice.    

    This is a perfect practice for anyone looking to truly have a Qigong routine that delivers and one can count on, each and every day. There are many practices that I have taught over the last 21 years of teaching; the Tai Chi ~ Chi Flow System is a genuine approach for beginners or experienced practitioners looking for something different. The brilliance of the tradition is that it is very tangible, new students feel their energy very quickly. This is taught in China and abroad even in Wutang Taoist Temples, Groups. A friend of mine that is a Monk teaches his version of it to all his personal disciples as a base for their Tai Chi Chuan understanding.              

Tai Chi ~ Chi Flow (太極氣流): Syncretic System of Tai Chi Chuan, and Healing Qigong practice, which has became very popular, over the past 40 years in China. Tai Chi ~ Chi Flow is not "Tai Chi Chuan" (Martial Art Tai Chi) , it is a healing form of Tai Chi, emphasizing Chi Flow - "life force energy". It is the best practice for anyone looking for health and wellness; and will prepare one better for traditional Tai Chi Chuan Systems as well. It's the Tai Chi training that almost no community centre class will ever offer, that are all so needed .

Tai Chi ~ Chi Flow has been scientifically tested and medically proven. The first entry level practice is designed to improve the general health and well-being of the practitioner. The gentle flow patterns and stretching movements improve circulation and digestion. The chest exercises and controlled breathing are good for lung conditions and asthma. And the overall effect of the exercise is to reduce mental stress and physical tension carried in the muscles of the body. What can it do for you:

• Improves health

• Increases energy, agility and flexibility

• Loosens and strengthens joints and muscles

• Normalizes energy congestion

• Rejuvenates body, breath, energy, mind and spirits

• Dissolves stress away

• Develops concentration

• Balances emotions

This Tradition is very effective and easy to learn. It is practiced throughout Asia, and is considered a national health exercise in Malaysia and Indonesia. Come learn about this unique system and my Master Teacher's related healing modalities. A DVD and two Audio Cd's are provided for home learning, away from class. For more information email us at qigonghealingcentre@gmail.com

GWA

Update DVD Review: Qigong for Cancer

Recently did a viewing of the "Qigong for Cancer" DVD; the synopsis its a well put together program for anyone interested in Qigong. Its filmed in crystal clear high definition video, filmed at the Shou Yu Liang Institute in Vancouver. Directions are clear and Helen does different angles to emphasize alignment on exercises.  The exercises are laid out as follows:

Lung/Large Intestine
Spleen/Stomach
Heart/Small Intestine
Kidneys/Bladder
Pericardium/Heart/Triple Burner
Liver/Gallbladder 
Qi Channel Stimulation
Relation Method

There's a total of 15 exercises; which are modified exercises from her family's Taoist, Buddhist and Martial Art background, for helping people rejuvenate with Qigong. I learned many of these exercises at her fathers school with father but in more advanced forms. They have been although properly adapted for Health Rejuvenation and Maintenance Qigong for the common person, not expert level.

 The exercises use alot of visualization guidance and early intermediate technique that might throw someone really ill for a loop without a teacher. One may get frustrated, and not carry on because of the complexity of using intermediate mind intention visualization techniques. With that being said the practice is a great arrangement, for anyone with a little experience. The video footage is basically laid out "learn as you seem fit" for you. Take one exercise at a time, learn it and practice for a few weeks, to a month before proceeding.

 There is no discussion on disorders and using these Qigong exercises or how to apply them. It would have been nice for the newer student or someone ill to have a little info. It's also unclear if they have tested the method out on Qigong Cancer Support Groups; my personal view is it would have been better titled "Qigong Rejuvenation & Health Maintenance Method".

Don't Medicinalize Qigong, Tai Chi & Yogic Arts!

 It's a trend to sell Qigong as Medical, for Cancer etc. to attract the common citizen; which can often be misleading kinda like a marketing angle. People are more well served if it's presented as "Healing", which eludes to anything that can make one whole again. I also personally thinks it's a mistake to push Qigong as Medicine, Medical or even worse scientific; which does not even coincide with Traditional Chinese Medical Philosophy. It should stay to its roots of "nourishing and nurturing life", and personal spiritual cultivation or even simply "Therapeutic" would be a better idea. The closer it gets entangled in Science/Technology, the more removed from it spiritual intrinsic value it will become in the public domain. It then might not even be East Asian Qigong for that matter.

So at any rate I give this program A+; it's well put together and great video quality - if you go slow and with a little guidance one can have a great practice set. Helen's testimonial and experience I feel the most important part of the DVD, it will encourage anyone going through illness that there is hope and Qigong can for sure help reblance your body/mind. Shes another living example that Qigong integrated with other method's works real well.

GWA       


  

Question: How much practice is enough or required?

A common question often received in email is "It possible to do too much Tai Chi, Qigong or meditation? Every now and then students will ask me in classes, “How much practice is too much?” 

Introduction: A long time ago in a different place of time and space...It was the 1980's when I was learning these practice's. Beginning in Junior High School it was a vastly different culture and focus on standards of practice. It was very common to practice several hours a day, 3-6 times a week. There were very few Americans in these groups; it was mostly us guys in the classes as well. Many Masters did not allow women in the groups. A over the top dedication to your Sifu and the school was mandated as well. Students cleaned the school, helped the Master out with whatever they asked. Looking back I was young, fortunate and free from worldly obligations to fill up my day with practice in various forms. All information and techniques was personally and physically taught in person. We had to memorize practices on the spot, there were no video tapping or note taking as well.  

So it was a sink or swim game; we practiced more because everything was memorized and we had no Video Tapes, DVD's, Internet or handouts to fall back on. Was it better than today? I would say no, it was just different and each generation has it's value on how to educate for next generation of students. Today with fast pace of life, everything wired for speed many students just are not equipped to "woodshed" it out as in the old days. Many just don't see the value as well.       

With that being said I do believe that each generation should focus on "Qigong of today, Tai Chi of today or meditation standards of practice today". A worthwhile note as well is that typical in our culture, where we feel that if a little is good, more must be better. It is a common paradigm for Americans, to try and re-engineer anything we can get or hands on. This can be true with these traditions, but will only go so far. 

Cautionary Note for Eager Novice Teachers: A common problem is that many practitioners and teachers of today is they mis-appropriate practice, create their own video tape and water down way too many things. All good systems are well informed and documented in today's world. If you teach - promote your Teachers material, skills and all the great things you have learned along the way with them. There is nothing better than the original! Indigenous traditions should be honored in this way. Make no mistake about it, if you cheat your students out of crucial information and technique, they eventually will find out, and lose faith in the tradition. Many people in many areas have made many videos and books now and claim skills and backgrounds that they do not really have. This continues to be a problems filled with false and misleading information. Don't become part of the problem, be a genuine person focus on leading an example of quality and tradition.    

Less is More!

The Science in the study of Qigong, Tai Chi and Meditation says that as little as 20 minutes delivers very tangible results. One of my Master teacher's is now 80 years old, I asked him during a practice in May of 2016, "how much does he practice"? He said with his busy schedule he practice's still no more than one hour per day. He also practices what he teaches as well. 

There is no need to practice for hours a day, and when people report doing so, often times they are not really accomplishing much better skill as well. The purpose of these practices is to help us to balance ourselves and engage more fully and healthfully in life. If we do too much of anything, we cannot find balance. I will concur that for a modern person practicing up to an hour a day is more than sufficient. We can do two twenty-minute sessions, or one longer session, per day. I recommend that you start with only five to ten minutes a day accomplishable goals because it is easier to set aside such a small chunk of time every day, no matter how busy your lifestyle or daily schedule.


 The advantage of starting slowly and following "less is more" as bendable guideline is that as you begin to feel the effects, your desire to practice increases naturally. When that happens, there is no need to force ourself to practice and, in fact, forcing ourselves to practice rarely leads to an quality, long-term practice. In closing for us that engage in these traditions as a "way of life" take an honest look at your schedule and plan accordingly. It is best to set yourself up for success, rather than setting goals that will be hard to achieve. Sometimes more is just more; it which is not better. :)

GWA

On Personal Qigong Practice

Insights Along the Way

Today's journal entry covers only three topics briefly:  1. Personal Practice 2. The age of everything 3.Where to begin. I get lot's of emails from students and even written letters asking about these three topics. So lately it seems that many students are not practicing as regular as they should; many are too wrapped up with social media and lurking around online and getting little to no results.  Through feedback many don't even now where or how to begin the search. To the reader hope you find this useful; but take it with a grain of salt. I began in a non technology driven era, my views are real experiences = real results. ~GWA       

Daily Personal Qigong Practice

The purpose "Personal Qigong Practice" is to build and maintain a solid foundation. Foundation practice's ensures our body/mind to grow and also to keep what we been practicing. Having a strong Qigong practice always ensures our body to be able to recover from illness, imbalance or depleted energy states.  It also assist you to connect more deeply with your personal spiritual endeavors. When we engage to keep a strong tradition alive, we not only be maximize our self-healing ability, we are more effective if we do self energy healing treatments on ourselves and others. It also helps your daily living; how you relate to others around you, and your career. Qigong self practice makes gives you "moxy" for our busy life. 

The Age of Everything Available

Technology is kinda like Pandora's box for the dabbler in energy healing practices and almost anything else for that matter. I find more and more people distracted by not knowing what to do. This is not because lack of access; the internet has created a whirlwind of confusion. Everyone today has a book, video something to sell/peddle. In many cases much has been misappropriated from a lineage/teacher as well. My advice is to stick with one tradition -one mentor; or you will be constantly searching and never going anywhere. 

The reason this is important is because it takes several years to refine any one method/approach. Loyalty to a system and a mentor goes a long way. If you engage with a tradition and you go in 100 % and get close with the students and teacher you will find a deeper interest will be taken in you. Qigong mentors are students as well; and we know what it takes to do Qigong properly. In many cases when a teacher sees that a student is a dabbler they will clam up and not be able to guide you deeper. The mistake falls on you; is it so hard to do one thing 100% ? 

Real experiences up close and personal is what to look for. Study with a teacher, have a friendship practice group. This will go a long ways in what you have a interest in. Practicing with friends is key because more than one person will be there doing the same thing. If you have forgotten something most likely someone else remembers it. Having practicing/training buddies is key in the informal practice sessions. Life is short; time clicks by constantly. Invest in real life experiences, you will be glad you did in the future.

Where to Begin?

In your community it is best to do good ole fashion, get in your car and venture out and mingle. When I began in 1981, it was through word of mouth or a lead from friends etc. The same holds true today, the good teachers who can actually teach are often off the grid. They might have a website but their interaction online will be small at best. It might be frustrating in the beginning to find someone. If you stick to it doors will open and you will find what you are looking for. Look for the teachers that run ongoing classes, this is important for learning how to practice.Weekly interaction is important to give and receive feedback. The local group is the foundation to your path, without it will be real hard to keep up in early stages.

GWA       

All Classes Full ~Get on the Waiting List

All Qigong Group Classes and Private Healing Session Spaces are now booked for Mid Winter Season (January - March). It is a good idea to contact us and we will call you back and get your availability and see where you could fit in.  All classes are taught in Sterling Heights Chi Studio. The Healing Qigong I teach is very popular and results are generally relatively quick. It is a testament to my Master's methods that I promote, that are still taught in many Chinese and Japanese Communities. I am also only one teaching the classes which is a six day a week class schedule. So please be patient circumstances change often and schedule can open up.  Email me at taozahnchi@gmail.com  

Looking forward Spring 2017: 

•  For West side of Michigan I will be teaching now a series of workshops: (1.) May (2.) June (3.) September (4.) December

 The workshops are on the Tai Chi 氣 Chi Flow TraditionⓇ;  which teaches the following:

(1) Energy Cultivation Training (2) Energy Congestion Release Practice (3) Chi Flow Sets
(4) Traditional Chi Therapy 

All Workshops cost $150.00 for two days 10am - 5pm, comes with DVD reference video's associated Cd's and follow up PDF handout notes.

More details to follow---please email to get on my student list or for interest in the Workshops. 

Thank You---Gary W. Abersold (taozahnchi@gmail.com)

  

Pre Christmas Season *Free* Qigong Classes

Only Three Qigong Classes left before Christmas Break.  In a few classes you get the knowledge on how strengthen life force energy and flow it through deceptively simple practice. Classes will not meet again until after New years day. Class dates are:

11/29/2016, 12/6/2016, 12/13/2016    

Where.. Irene's Myomassology Institute  Southfield Michigan, Tuesday night 7pm at the Yoga room up stairs.  

The Collective Qigong Practice ~ Notes based on Qigong Master Yan Xin

The Collective Qigong Practice

Collective Qigong Practice; Group Classes, Healing Enclaves with practitioners, is what we refer to as "collective energy field"; which is not of the magnetic fields or gravitational fields in space, but rather the "qi fields" created when we give classes or lectures with emitted qi. 

When members of the group at such lectures feel the influence of the qi field, some of them may be balanced of their disorders or have their conditions improved, while some people could shout or cry, sway or move around, and some people confined to wheelchairs even get up and walk again. The scientific community in China thought these qi fields are strange. Are the effects psychological, or do they come from the qi? 

To seek the answer to this question, they did some experiments. Wang Yaolan and Lu Zuyin of the Chinese Academy of Sciences High Energy Physics Institute have done many such experiments. They invited Dr. Yan Xin to give a lecture, with emitted qi, at the Political Institute in Beijing. Wang Yaolan brought a lithium fluoride heat-releasing light detector of a type usually used for measurement of radiation dosage. The idea was to check the indicator to see if it responded to the qi field. The result was that, by the end of the three-hour-and-ten-minute lecture with emitted qi, the instrument registered a very strong response to the qi field.

In October 1987, they took measurements at four different lectures with emitted qi by Dr. Yan Xin, at different places, and also did similar tests on two other Qigong practitioners. It gave the same result. This shows that Qigong energy fields have an objective reality. 

The skill/technique of "collective field creation" used by us qigong practitioners for group Qigong practice or healing, also has an objective basis. In this "collective field creation" practice or healing technique, we use mind power of intention to saturate and shower an area or group of people in different ways, to gain more access to the immediate environment at that moment. Then the head practitioner sends their energy to the entire group, and in this way we achieve our results more easily in this way. This is a traditional East Asian skilled technique for using mind intention/attention to influence an area, often applied in classes, healing enclaves, lectures with emitted "qi energy". So scientific experiments not only advance our knowledge, they also provide an data answer to those who have their heads stuck in the intellectual clouds and try to deny Collective Qigong, Psychokinesis, Telekinesis and Remote Viewing Healing of Traditional Schools. 

Notes: 

This first article above is just a starter on Dr. Yan Shin. I had heard about him in the mid 1980's and interest was always there. Recently in May 2016 the Professor whom I was studying advanced Qigong Healing with surprisingly, in conversation stated he had taught Yan Xin Qigong for quite sometime. To back his story up he brought out many old pictures of Yan Xin practicing with him. Yan Xin looked younger and not as polished as he is in popular publications. This was very interesting since it shed much light on the how Yan Xin became famous for "Collective Healing" and "Remote Healing" abilities. Also interesting is and very typical how the professor was never given credited for teaching much of Yan Xin's base methods. I guess he wanted to protect his popular place in Qigong.  

So moving on, I have several publications and obscure footage on him. Throughout the years several Master level teachers friends of mine had studied his method; and I was always amazed by the beyond the surface details he had taught. His story is mysterious, full of lore and muddled within the rise and fall of Qigong from the late 1970's up to summer of 1999. Read Qigong Fever by David Palmer, a well written book that gives a great deal of what went on in Central China.       

Dr. Yan Shin was considered one of the most popular of Qigong masters. He was a unknown doctor of Chinese medicine until he performed a miraculous healing that appeared in the local newspapers. He healed and gave lectures in China and in the United States. Many scientific experiments have been done with him and received much overage in the media. He wrote many books and appeared in lots of Chinese Qigong Journals as well. He became the most popular with many of the large Qigong factions. He pretty much has disappeared out of the popular circles or visibility due to politics, and lots of other factors. Stories and lore of Yan Shin still circulate throughout Qigong groups everywhere. Will he remerge for a new era?... one can only speculate.  

Throughout the years the various stages of Yan Shin Qigong has been promoted by many they knew it. Its been adapted from traditional Qigong, which are shared practices in many traditions. It hard to say to what extent whats been kept in or modified. More to come in the future.

GWA 

 

 Qigong Synopsis in easy terms: Qigong is the enduring tradition of cultivation and study of energy. The term "Qi" is a term that refers to all type of energy. It is simply the life force behind all things in our existence. The second half of the term "Gong" refers to essentially developing personal merit and virtue through accomplishment of harnessing the Qi through steady practice. Like anything in life it takes personal commitment to achieve results and practice will lead you there.

Qigong in action, is using a integrated practice of breath, posture, movement, and sound to cleanse, refine, accumulate and circulate energy in the body. Through the cultivation and harmonization of body, mind, breathing, and emitting power of sound, our resistance to disease, adaptability to the external environment, and immunity to pathogenic influences is strengthened. With a strong immune system, disorders are prevented, creating a state of super health, vitality, and youthfulness for the practitioner.

What you practice today, this week, and during the month; will manifest in the time to come. To change youre personal energy you must practice, there are no shortcuts. Qigong is a easy system based on natural truths. Intellectual knowledge and Science, will not get the "De Qi Le Miao" (feeling and reaching Qi). Find a group, become motivated and you will see for yourself one of the best and provable traditions for health and wellness one could dedicate their path to. 

GWA