May 20, 2024
The final goal of practicing Tàijíquán is applying the practice into your life Your life is Tàijíquán and Tàijíquán is your life. Only if (you) can cultivate these, both internally and externally, can you reach the Dào of balancing physical body and mind, and (also) the dual cultivation of human nature and physical body.
8 Min Read
May 13, 2024
Speaking Japanese is different than “speaking Judo.” But for those who want to have a better understanding and appreciation of judo, learning how to “speak Judo” opens up the whole world of judo to them.
5 Min Read
May 6, 2024
Slow, Deep breathing stimulates the main nerve of the parasympathetic nervous system called the vagus nerve, which in turn releases hormones and neurotransmitters that slow your heart rate, lower your blood pressure and generally brings your body into balance.
5 Min Read
April 29, 2024
In honor of World Tai Chi & Qigong Day 2024, YMAA Staff Writer Gene Ching examines tai chi demonstrations done in large groups. 6 Min Read
April 22, 2024
No one has ever walked onto a judo mat and immediately became an elite-level athlete. Anyone who thinks otherwise will have a short and limited career in judo. 6 Min Read
If you have a response to emergencies planned out in advance, your reaction and resolution will be much quicker, giving you more time to relax and enjoy yourself once everything is dealt with. Besides, that’s why we take vacations in the first place, isn’t it—to relax?
The 18 Luohan relies on the Microcosmic Orbit as a well-trodden path to get your energy flowing.
When you’re preparing for a trip away, the first step in identifying potential problems begins in the planning phase. Proper planning requires more than just picking a vacation spot and packing a bag. It requires some in-depth research and preparation.
YMAA staff writer Gene Ching interviews Bill Buckley of Gateway Tai Chi and Yoga in Portsmouth, New Hampshire (a YMAA School). Mr. Buckley is one of the few people who have completed the 20-year qigong master training program under Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming. They discuss the new streaming qigong video 18 Luohan Hands Shiba Luohan Shou (十八羅漢手), also known as 18 Hands of Buddha, or the 18 Techniques of the Enlightened Ones. This ancient qigong relates to Buddhist yoga techniques and the teaching of Bodhidharma known as "muscle/tendon changing classic" passed down while he taught at Shaolin Temple 1500 years ago.
The physical body is like a machine and Qì is like electricity. Only when the machine is in good condition and the power supply is sufficient will the machine be able to perform at peak potential.
YMAA Staff Writer Gene Ching reflects on an experience he had with the YMAA streaming video Sun Tai Chi by Yang Chenhan. Sun Tai Chi is connected to Gene’s Shaolin lineage (and to Dr. Yang’s Tai Chi lineage as well). Gene explores how video training relates to when he studied under Grandmaster Sun Jianyun, the daughter of the founder of Sun Tai Chi.
“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.”—Bruce Lee
Remind your clients, that it is impossible to know when the natural results will arise and that patience and perseverance, in cultivation of wellbeing, is the recognized best practice for catalyzing the intended good result.”
One of my favorite teachers, Master Zhu Hui from Tian Tai Mountain in eastern China told me, “A person who makes wise use of the Three Intentional Corrections a few times a day will resolve their pains, cure their diseases, and achieve longevity.”
Once you have accomplished your Small Circulation, the Qì circulating in the Twelve Primary Channels (Meridians) will be abundant and smooth, and then you can extend the Qì from the meridians outward to the muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, skin, and beyond. For example, through Grand Circulation you will be able to lead the Qì to the joints to condition and improve the strength and endurance of muscles and tendons.
YMAA Publication Center has recently published new editions of Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming’s qigong books that include pinyin tonal marks for pronunciation and modern Chinese fonts. YMAA Staff Writer Gene Ching examines why these are important.
It is really very simple: people who prevent disease and who activate the inner medicine through self-initiated health enhancement practice need less clinical medicine, whether it is conventional allopathic or holistic.”
“The most profound medicine is produced naturally -- in the human body – for free.” This phrase, from The Healer Within, is the innovative foundation of a profound peak performance and vitality system.
David-Dorian Ross chats with old friend Gene Ching about his early years training Tai Chi Chuan and Wushu in San Francisco, running his own martial arts school, and his creation of the TaijiFit teaching method. He also talks about his national program teaching Tai Chi to veterans for free, and his other video releases with YMAA Publication Center.
This year, 2023, marks the Year of the Rabbit in the Lunar calendar. In Chinese culture, the Rabbit is believed to be a symbol of hope and longevity. In celebration of the new year, YMAA Publication Center staff writer Gene Ching explores the meanings underlying the rabbit in Chinese thought as well as the tradition of the giving of red envelopes.
Awareness is your ability to be cognizant of the environment and events going on around you.”
The emphasis on the spiritual life, rather than the material, is one of the major differences between Eastern and the Western cultures. An example of this is in the maintenance of health, where the West emphasizes the physical body more, while the East tends to also treat the person’s spiritual and mental health.
Those sages or rulers who have the Dao conduct their actions without conceit and achieve their goals without claiming credit. They remain humble without displaying their superiority.
There are many Chinese people, especially martial artists, who mistakenly believe that the Yìjīnjīng is Iron Shirt and Golden Bell Cover training. I will try to clear up the confusion.
Any activity that is able to improve the qi circulation in our body can be called qigong.