Chi Gong

by Grandmaster Chin

 Western medicine has made a big impact on the world.  It produces miracles every day and the best of treatments.  However, in the Chinese culture prevention has always been the focus.  Now Western Society is beginning to understand and use the valuable techniques that are centuries old.  In fact, there are many hospitals in China that have Centers for Chi Kung healing.

" I don't know where we come from or where we are going - we must try to find the inner peace to guide our way."

-Lau Yee Sing, Taoist Master

The western world is now learning how the practice of T'ai Chi and Chi Kung can improve health and the quality of life, and how these disciplines can help us find our way.  Tao means "the way."

You may have noticed Chi as the common word here.  Chi is a new concept for the people of the western hemisphere - the people in the east have cultivated chi for thousands of years.  In fact, to many Chinese people Chi is the most important ingredient in human life.

The Mind & Body Connection

There is much excitement these days about the "mind & body connection."  Scientific research as well as casual observation are producing information that supports the theories and practices that have existed in China for centuries:  The mind has an affect on the body - the body affects our quality of life.

Chi Kung practitioners believe that practicing Chi Kung one hour a day will add an hour to the life span.  An old saying goes: "Practice every day, gain an hour.  Miss one, lose ten days."  While T'ai Chi and Chi Kung can enhance other martial arts, they also stand on their own merit.  Their practice can enhance strength, mobility and general good health.  Chi is like the trunk of a tree - the other martial arts are like the limbs.  If you have built the trunk you can expand in the branches to learn.. Unfortunately most people try to crawl in along one of the limbs.  That is why they can never achieve full mastery of the art.  It is much better to learn one system well and come to a deeper understanding than to know a little about a hundred systems but never truly understand them.

It may be possible to study Chi Kung independently.  However, traditionally the knowledge is passed from teacher to student - one to one - which insures a more complete understanding of the form and philosophy.  I was fortunate to have studied under several masters during a time when finding a true teacher was difficult.  Their theories and techniques are a treasure to me.  It is my desire to share my knowledge and experience and to help people lead longer and healthier lives.

We have had some time now to reflect upon the new levels of practice, the training corrections, and the beautiful spiritual insights which Sifu Chin shared with us during our 2009 Fall Intensive training camp.  It is certain that we all came away, once again, inspired and spiritually elevated; better friends for the experience we created together.  So keep stoking that fire - let's all get ready to get up and do it again in April.

With their 2010 schedule filling up quickly, Sifu Chin and Sifu Heinzman have set the dates for the 2nd Annual ISOYA Spring Intensive - a 3 day event to be held April 30th, May 1st and 2nd.

Sifu Chin and Sifu Heinzman will also be traveling to LA on Feb. 5th and 6th, then will be coming to Sacramento on Feb. 6th & 7th and on to Gainesville on Feb. 20th & 21st for workshops with their ISOYA students.

We have much to look forward to in the new year!

third annual International Original Yang Tai Chi Association and International Sin Tien Wu Chi Qi Gong Association fall retreat to be held November 5 through 8.  This four day intensive is by invitation only and for those who have practiced Sin Tien Wu Chi Qi Gong or Original Yang (aka Guang Ping) Tai Chi Chuan.

The event will take place in rural North Carolina at Grandmaster David Chin’s school and home. This will be another tremendous opportunity to work with peers from across the country practicing these two incredible systems as well as to gain great insight from Grandmaster Chin.  If you have not had the opportunity to train with G.M. Chin in this way, it will be a beautiful eye opener and for those of you who have,

This four day event will include many aspects of the Sin Tien system as passed down from Taoist Master Loui Jing-Yun as well as the Original Yang system as passed down by Master Kuo Lien-Ying.  We will again be dividing the groups for some of the exercises (this will be dependent on the number attending).  For those who have not had experience in one system or the other, it will not be appropriate for you to jump ahead.

The 2009 Fall Intensive for the International Sin Tien Wu Chi Qi Gong & Original Yang Tai Chi Association (ISOYA) was a successful four-day seminar full of fun and learning at Sifu David Chin’s Meditation and Training Center in Eastover, NC.