Each June Tai Chi Australia (TCA) conducts a series of workshops with Professors and Masters from the Chinese Health Qigong Association (CHQA). This year we were honoured to have highly acclaimed Professor Wang Xiaojun, an expert in Health Qigong and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), from the Beijing Sports University and Professor Qin Zilai who generously shared their knowledge and expertise in Health Qigong by teaching, demonstrating and lecturing at workshops to TCA instructors, students and members of the public in public venues in Victoria and Tasmania including an indigenous group in Hastings, Victoria.
Much interest was shown in the workshops as Australians are increasingly becoming aware of the health benefits gained by the regular practice of Health Qigong which is an integral part of the Traditional Chinese health system. Health Qigong guides and encourages the free flow of energy throughout the body promoting health well-being and longevity.
In 2013 TCA added Ba Duan Jin, the Eight Golden Treasure Brocade, (a link to its Intro on our website) to its regular curriculum. This year we added Daoyin Yangsheng Gong Shi Er Fa (12 Movement Health Qigong for All Ages) (a link to its Intro on our website). Both are now being taught throughout the School.
On Friday, June 12th the Stress and Management Workshop launched the series. TCA instructors, students and members of the public eagerly joined Professor Wang Xiaojun who succinctly explained the concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and how if stress was well managed a healthy, relaxed and long life could be achieved. He passionately taught simple, effective, easy to learn exercises including breathing techniques and healing sounds to alleviate the feeling of tiredness, stress and depression. Every participant gained life long knowledge.
On Saturday, June 13th Professor Qin Zilai. conducted Yi Jin Jing (a link to its Intro on our website) the most famous and popular of the classic Chinese Qigong meditation exercises. Its main focus is stretching the tendons and flexing the bones, combining softness with strength. Everybody enjoyed learning the 12 movements and the obvious benefits that could be achieved if practiced regularly. TCA holds free classes of Yi Jin Jing at 8.00am every Friday morning at Federation Square.
On Sunday, June 14th Professor Qin Zilai taught Daoyin Yangshen Gong Shi Er Fa (12 Movement Health Qigong for all Ages) to an enthusiastic group of students. Every instructor attended to re-enforce their knowledge of Daoyin Yangshen Gong Shi Er Fa. An exciting new Qigong it has become an international health treasure. Also comprising 12 movements, it is based on the ancient principles of TCM and flows harmoniously from one movement to the next. Every participant keenly responded to Professor Qin Zilai’s tuition and her explanation of how the exercises combine Daoyin with healthcare, limb exercises and mental and spiritual relaxation.
Once again the annual Health Qigong workshops were a great success due to the highest international tuition available. Each was a Master Class in its own right. Every student recognised how special it was to learn from Professors Wang Xiaojun and Qin Zilai. All benefited from the experience regardless of his or her knowledge or standard. Everyone was stimulated by what they had learnt and they encouraged each other to practice in the future. TCA plans to extend the amount of Qigong taught at the school and in public venues.
As well as the Workshops, on Friday June 12 Professor Wang Xiaojun and Professor Qin Zilai conducted a free Health Qigong class in Ba Duan Jin, Yi Jin Jing and Daoyin Yangshen Gong Shi Er Fa at Federation Square. Over 30 early morning risers attended. A vibrant question and answer session followed concluding with the students all being invited to visit China to learn more Qigong.
An important part of this year’s Health Qigong Masterclass Series was a visit by Professor Wang to the Bunurong Health Service of Dandenong & District Aborigines Cooperative Ltd. For the past four years, TCA has conducted regular Health Qigong and Tai Chi Classes with them. During the session, Professor Wang emphasised the importance of being able to balance the body, mind and spirit and how this is possible to achieve by practicing Health Qigong. He also explained how beneficial TCM could be with issues relating to health problems suffered by the Aboriginal Community in particular the drastic changes in their diet since Australia was colonised. He encouraged them to take responsibility for their own health issues.
With the increased popularity of Health Qigong in Australia and the Oceania region, TCA eagerly anticipates the 2016 Series of Health Qigong Workshops. In conjunction with the International Health Qigong Association, we are also planning to run an Instructor Training Course in Health Qigong for the entire Oceania region. For those Health Qigong practitioners who le to balance the boare interested in becoming a qualified Health Qigong Instructor, please access our website regularly to book early to avoid missing out. TCA runs FREE health Qigong class every Friday at Federation Square from 8.00am to 9.00am, 52 weeks a year regardless of rain, hails or wind. FREE Tai Chi classes are also held at Federation Square from 7.30am to 8.30am every Tuesday.
