Wisdom of Bruce Lee

The above picture is one of my favorites of Bruce Lee; if not the favorite. You ever wonder what would have been if he lived? Where would Jun Fan Gung Fu/Jeet Kune Do be with him as the leader. Maybe he would of return to his roots of Tai Chi Chuan he learned with his father. For sure his Tai Chi Chuan would be extremely popular to say the least.  It's fun to speculate is it not. 

Growing up in the late 1970's early 1980's Bruce Lee was everywhere. The bookstores, on TV shows and at the Drive in Theaters. Vietnam was still in everyone's mind; even as a young kid I was totally aware of this tragedy of a war. We all needed a cultural heroe and there he was. Interesting is it not that a Chinese Martial Artist would thrill/save a few generation's of westerners! Do some research; one will be amazed on how much he impacted society.

 As young delinquent kids we would sneak out late at night, hop the back wall of the drive in and stand ontop of older friends cars at the midnight drive in and imitate his moves, as well as all the crazy Hong Kong flicks that would be played. All of us received alot of cheer and good laughs as we worked out many scenes to be played out again and again in proceeding nights to come (lol). We were all Kung Fu Krazy early teenagers - who were tapped into things to come. 

In these movies we all got a first glimpse of Wing Chun and Jeet Kune Do.  Bruce Lee gave us a first real glimpse of real Kung Fu that was exploding on the west coast. Bruce Lee truly changed the world culture and he didn't even need a website or a silly little I phone :) Now how about that! 

Wisdom

As a teenager his books gave myself much inspiration and hope. One of his famous quotes/elucidations from his early writings from Kung Fu Tsu is " 論語 述而篇, 孔子曰 : 三人行、必有我師焉。擇其善者而從之、其不善者而改之。" ...  A good teacher should not be rigid and impose his student to fit his favorite pattern's or art. A teacher is not a giver of truth; he is a guide, a pointer to the truth that each student must find for themselves. As teachers we are not teaching you anything, except one to explore themselves and find their truths and inclinations. 

Comment: So this is one of those things that stick in your head forever; it really is that good; simple and to the point. The hidden message is only through hard work and continued practice will you find yourself. A teacher is only a small part of the puzzle. If you lean on them too much you will get nowhere. Do you have what it takes to do something with what you are learning? Only you can answer that. Learning these arts has not changed at all, in over the thousands of years of development. It comes down to sacrificing to practice and keep on practicing and learning and refining throughout your life.  The silver lining to all of this there is nothing to prove/master if you like this stuff you will be at it until the day you unzip and return to the cosmos.

Gary W. Abersold

 

      

Morning classes Spring 2017 & Other Items

Daily Classes

There will be Daily Morning  Tai Chi ~ Chi Flow (太極氣流) Classes being taught in Sterling Heights and Troy areas in the morning time several times a week. These classes will be for the most part outside or on bad weather days at my studio or if possible shelter areas. All Classes are at 10:00am-11:15am. This practice is very popular and everyone that practices it daily feels great results.  If interested and to learn more contact us through email qigonghealingcentre@gmail.com and we will get back with you. 

***There will be no more night classes available. I have taught Daytime and Night classes for over 15 years. I am only teaching and doing other services now in the morning hours. Days hours are from 7am-4pm daily.*** Thank You to everyone who had participated in the night programs! 

Websites  

By choice my website presence is only here at this Qigong website. I don't do social media (facebook, twitter etc.); 99% of my students come from references, and don't see the point of it all. My preference is real time connection in person when possible. I do feel more and more people are developing serious addiction problems with these devices and don't want to be part of the problem. So you can say that I take a stand against the cyber world to a certain degree. I don't spend much time online only post when needed. :) Life is to be lived and experienced. I do check my email randomly in the early morning..

Gary W. Abersold

Qigong Healing Centre

 

  

Simple Answer to "How is Qigong Different from Yoga, Gym Exercises Etc?"

  The Main Difference of Qigong Traditions

 By Gary W. Abersold

A common series of question's that is often asked are: 

1. What is the difference between Qigong and Relaxation Techniques? 
2. How is Qigong and Yoga different?
3. Are Gym workouts and Qigong different?
4. How is Qigong different from Samatha ~Vipasyana Meditation   
   

The above are a series of type questions often asked but, in mosaic fashion never truly are explained well. The answer is quite easy actually; it focuses on intention, attention and feeling of life force energy as a primary feature of  Qigong. I explain more below, but to also get a couple of things out of the way lets ad on a couple of other details.

 The term Qigong and Application: This is a umbrella term that has a large body of practices; numerable in style and uses. Each Qigong practice is unique and is not a "One Size Fits All" modality either. It takes a well trained practitioner with many years of practice to be able to easily enlightened the would be new user of Qigong. In the public many Qigong classes are taught and address many common ailments. In reality serious problems need specific tailored Qigong practices, along with in many cases related herb formulas and Qigong treatments. This can include massage and Acupuncture Therapy in various forms as well. There are many guidelines in proper administration of Qigong practices. Many Qigong practices have been vetted by Chinese Scientific and Medical Community, so the practices I am referring to are not self created Qigong sets by self identified Qigong Masters. I have been studying Chinese Medicine since 1981 and working as a Therapist since 1994, with many achievements and credentials. What I can tell you with certainty it requires quite depth, and continuing training and education in this vast tradition. 

The Qigong Difference: Qigong versus modalities such as Yoga, Gym exercises, etc. is that it first puts a large investment on mind intention and attention which develops our wisdom mind and helps us to properly enter into qigong properly. The Mind Intention and Attention I will leave for a journal entry all its own; its concepts are specific and different. It is a large teaching, which requires much elaboration. 

The universal salient features of Qigong Traditions is primarily the specifics of internal energy activation and mastery of life force energy. Specific practice's address the following - building/conserving, harmonizing/balancing, transforming/increasing, releasing/projecting life force energy is the main difference. Also skill set exercises that calibrate the physical body and internal organ system, specific respiratory breathing and paired movements, specialized life force meditations, specialized stretching, and postural movements, based on internal energy pathway system. Specialized personal empowerment's to strengthen ones Body/Mind/Soul are just some of the main differences.  

To Truly Feel and Experience Qi: With all that being said the main goal is to exist in a heightened sense of feeling, focus, and awareness of "life force energy". To truly feel and experience Qi is what seperates Qigong from almost everything else. It is unique and a complete tradition that does not have to be layered upon with other systems. Cultivation of life force energy is the oldest tradition in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The whole goal of Qigong is to strike a balance between yin/yang and develop the Qi for optimum health. Being present in the life force field activation and having the tissues, blood and bones saturated with Qi, is a main difference in Qigong Traditions and practitioners role in health and wellness.

Qigong is Holistic: The concept of holism/holistic is a foundation in Qigong. Western Scholars explain holism as a Philosophy with Therapeutic application.  The philosophy of holism is characterized by comprehension of the parts of something as intimately interconnected and explicable only by reference to the whole. The therapeutic application of holism is treatment of the whole person, taking into account mental and social factors, rather than just the physical symptoms of a disease. Qigong in a western sense is Medical, a form of medicine and is therapy. To call it Medical/Medicine although is a slippery slope to use that lingo. Western Medicine and Chinese Medicine have no correlation and those terms eludes it to be western scientific medicine which just causes all kinds of confusion. It is simply therapeutic that lead's one into application of  holism. Follow your Qigong Tradition along with nature and you will exist in a holistic state. 

In Closing: Many years ago I asked one of my teachers of China "What does Qigong do"? Trying to pick his mind and see what he had to say. He said "Oh well It makes everything better"; from your personal to ones professional life that's it in a nutshell. It's no big deal just do it and stay focused and you will find the gold in your efforts. Forget everything else this is the best thing in life.

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.  

Drug Addiction Worst Than Ever; Chinese Medicine Can Help

Someone you know probably is an addict of some sort according to startling recent finding by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. It is estimated that 1 in 20 adults, or a quarter of a billion people aged 15-64 years, used at least one drug in 2014. Although trends in drug use vary across regions, as does updated reporting on data, the extent of drug use among the world population has remained stable over the past four years. Almost 12 per cent of the total number of people who use drugs, or over 29 million people, are estimated to suffer from drug use disorders.

Pot, Weed or "Cannabis" remains the world’s most widely used drug, with an estimated 183 million people having used the drug in 2014, and amphetamines remain the second most widely used drug. With an estimated 33 million users, the use of opiates and prescription opioids may not be as widespread as the use of cannabis, but opioids remain major drugs of potential harm and health consequences. Where updated data is available, as an overall trend, global use of cannabis has remained stable over the past three years, although in some sub regions, particularly North America and Western and Central Europe, cannabis use has increased. 

In the absence of recent survey data on drug use in Africa, experts in the region also perceive an increase in cannabis use. Moreover, the global trend in cocaine use, which was stable after 2010, has shown a recent trend, mainly as a result of an increase in cocaine use in South America. The global trend in the use of amphetamines is stable, although this may underplay the situation in regions where recent information on the extent of drug use is unavailable. This is particularly the case in Asia, where expert perceptions of trends and treatment admission reports suggest an increase in the use of amphetamines in the region, specifically in East and South-East Asia. 

The global picture of drug use is compounded by the fact that many people who use drugs, both occasionally and regularly, tend to be "polydrug" users, meaning that they use more than one substance concurrently or sequentially, usually with the intention of enhancing, potentiating or counteracting the effects of another drug.The non-medical use of prescription drugs, synthetic stimulants and new psychoactive substances in lieu of, or in combination with, conventional drugs gives a picture that blurs he distinction between users of a particular drug, presenting an interlinked or cyclical epidemic of drug use and related health consequences in recent years. Additionally, such a pattern of drug use presents challenges to health professionals responding to emergencies related to drug use, as well as to those treating people with disorders related to the use of multiple drugs.

What is disappointing is the study by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime is also still not classifying process addictions such as addictions related to smart phone use and various devices, as a clear addiction. The data is out there kids as young as 7; as well as teenagers and adults are hooked on the phones, laptops and tablets. The effects on your brain are the same. If you do the study there is plenty of data to support it.

So with all this being said from working with many addicts of all walks of life. I would recommend to anyone looking into this, to work with a specialist whom specializes in Integrative Therapy. Best situation would be a Psychologist whom understands Integrative Body/Mind Healing  along with proven addiction/recovery protocols. All addictions are a medical disorder and one should not feel any shame or guilt from it. Can Traditional Chinese Medicine help it? Absolutely supplement in concert with medical professionals whom treat these problems. 

Past cases I  have worked with using Acupuncture Therapy, herbal prescriptions and bodywork, and teaching clients how to practice the self balancing methods during the withdrawal stages  helps them deal with the onslaught of emotions, physical sickness and spiritual healing. In this way it gives them tools to deal with all that is going on.  Truly many of them would not have healed and had a fighting chance without it.

People suffering from addictions are in many ways dealing with a Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde persona, they want to quit but need much help, but the mind constantly is toying with them.  They must surrender to the process and trust the therapist team to help their best interest. Working with people suffering from addictions is not easy, but can be done if the daily work is done and the person is monitored carefully with full family support and positive caring attitudes are around them.       

GWA