May-June 2012

33
Yang-Sheng (Nurturing Life)
There is a saying in Taijiquan (Tai Chi), "We use
the body, but we practice the mind". This is true
right Irom the very start oI our practice.
In the beginning, is the posture oI "Wuji", being
like the great void - no boundary, no center point,
just being. The practitioner is cultivating the Ieeling
oI stillness that movement arises Irom.
OI course there are rules to adhere to in order to
achieve this. Rules oI letting go and allowing
through the structure oI the body: Being mindIul oI
suspending Irom the crown point oI the head and
allowing relaxation oI the shoulders, throat and heart
centers as we lengthen through the spine by letting
the tailbone hang; being mindIul oI opening through
the hips and knees to Ieel a sense oI the Earth open-
ing up and inviting us in.
Next comes "Taiji" - the bringing together oI Yin
and Yang. The beginning practitioner learns to be
mindIul oI the 6 Harmonies. This is the harmonizing
oI the upper and lower parts oI the body, the hands
with the Ieet, the knees with the elbows, and the hips
with the shoulders.
"Gong" as in GongFu or QiGong, means to re-
Iine and cultivate skill. As the student`s skill increas-
es, they must be mindIul oI creating downward ener-
gy which allows an upward movement, in moving
Iorward there is back, when looking leIt to be aware
oI right, etc.
Eye skill in Tai Chi and Qigong is very im-
portant. We know that "where the mind goes, energy
Ilows", and "where the eye is - the mind is". The an-
cients knew this thousands oI years ago. Tai Chi
players practice Yi (intent), Qi (energy / liIe Iorce),
Li (power / result). The student is mindIul oI creat-
ing the movement with intention, always watching
the shape oI the movement, intending its placement,
while being aware oI the body and mind being re-
laxed and allowing the changes to happen. This is a
useIul skill to acquire Ior everyday liIe.
Next is "Liangyi", which is separation Irom the
duality oI Yin and Yang into pure awareness oI
movement. These rules adhered to during a great
deal oI practice will become automatic, leaving us to
experience pure movement. MindIul oI movement
Iorward and only Iorward, center and only center,
right and only right, and so on, as iI you are pure
silken light Qi, moving within a sea oI pure Qi. This
comes about by being mindIul oI the 6 Internal Har-
monies oI heart and mind moving together, Ieelings
and the body in harmony, and spirit and movement
together. And thus we return back to Wuji.
In QiGong as in Tai Chi we are nurturing the 3
Treasures oI Jing (essence), Qi (liIe Iorce), and Shen
(spirit). As we perIorm the exercises we must be

Tai Chi and QiGong:
Practice of Mindfulness
By Bryan Knack
Techniques of Better Meditation
34
Yang-Sheng (Nurturing Life) Volume 2, Issue No. 3
aware oI our structure being cleanly open, round and
alive through the joints with loose limbs to allow Ior
unobstructed Ilow oI blood and Qi. A relaxed mind
is required, being that is the host oI the body's sys-
tems. II the mind is relaxed, so will be the body and
organs. Even though we are using our hands in our
Qigong exercises, it is really the mind that is moving
the Qi, the hands only assist. Yes the body can help
train the Qi, but only to a certain extent. When the
organs are relaxed, that is when they are their most
eIIicient. The massaging oI the organs with the
movement oI the exercise will release the Ieel good
hormones oI dopamine and serotonins. The relaxed
mind will release oxytocins Irom the pineal gland
area oI the brain. All oI this results in a sense oI well
-being.

Even a person trying Tai Chi or QiGong Ior the
very Iirst time will beneIit. When the mind can Iocus
on a single task, the body rejects stress. When per-
Iorming the exercises, it is very diIIicult to think oI
anything else. Practitioners oI Mind/Body/Spirit dis-
ciplines look at their training sessions as mini vaca-
tions, relaxing and invigorating.


SiIu Bryan Knack Ph.D. /
Ma.D.Sc.
Northwest Tai Chi &
QiGong
http://www.NWTaiChi.com
1oin us on Facebook
Northwest Tai Chi &
QiGong
http://www.Iacebook.com/
pages/Northwest-Tai-Chi-
QiGong/119025831476121?
vwall



A 1ournal of Contemporary Daoism
is a quarterly publication dedicated to the
exploration and dissemination of non-religious
Daoist philosophy and practice. Gain a deeper
understanding of the shifting sands of our times
through the ancient, but universal truths of Daoist
phi l osophy. ------ ---- -- . . . . . . . ---- -------- ----

Learn practical applications of Daoist thought, tai
ji quan, internal arts, Chinese medicine and
qigong. Enjoy articles, interviews, and feature
stories that show how contemporary practitioners
have incorporated a balance of body, mind, and
spirit into their day-to-day activities. Includes art,
poetry, essays and reviews of the latest book,
tapes and videos on Daoist subjects. The Empty
Vessel is the only journal of its kind, covering all
aspects of Taoist philosophy and practices in a
thought-provoking and timely manner.
www.AbodeTao.com
www.CommunityAwake.com
The Empty Vessel