Health Qigong Flourishes in Oceania
The 2nd Oceania Health Qigong Training Courses prove popular with Australians and New Zealanders
In late May, 2024, Tai Chi Australia (TCA) was privileged to co-ordinate and host the 2nd Health Qigong Training Course held in the Oceania region. Led by Dong Jun, the Director of the Health Qigong Administrative Centre of China, the world's leading exponents of Health Qigong – Masters Chao Shengjie, Peng Xiangji and Zhu Hongyan enthusiastically shared their extensive knowledge and expertise of Health Qigong in Australia and New Zealand.
The first highlight of the visit was the 2nd Oceania Health Qigong Training Courses, which were held in Melbourne from 25-26 May at Tai Chi Australia’s training centre.
As Australians are increasingly becoming aware of the health benefits gained by the regular practice of Health Qigong, an integral part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), much interest was shown in the Training Courses. It is now widely recognised that Health Qigong guides and encourages the free flow of energy throughout the body promoting health well-being and longevity.
Participants from Victoria, NSW, Queensland and New Zealand attended the Training Courses. At the Opening Ceremony, Mr Dong told participants that for the millions of people practising Health Qigong world-wide, Health Qigong has become an important and well-loved part of normal life. He emphasised that benefits such as, improved health in mind and body, enriched the quality of life and happiness
The main aim of the Training Courses was to improve the theoretical and technical level of the local Health Qigong instructors and practitioners by sharing their knowledge and expertise in Health Qigong. Teaching, demonstrating and lecturing at workshops to the general public further promoted Health Qigong.
Dr. Chao gave an excellent talk on "The Integration of Three-regulation in Health Qigong". The lecture starts with the philosophy of life and explores the view of life in traditional Chinese culture, which is a holistic life concept of "body + mind + qi" integration. "Body, mind and qi" interact with each other and are interdependent. When the three are combined harmoniously, the life force is enhanced, otherwise it is weakened. Health Qigong is a health-preserving method developed under the background of this life concept. Through the elements of "regulating the body, regulating the mind, and regulating the breath" in practice, it finally achieves the good life state of "the three regulations in one". The lecture especially explained the principle of practicing "Neutrality and Calm/Peace" and pointed out that "every breath, every thought, every flexion and extension" is "a warm dialogue between body, mind and qi, and is the active construction and calm display of kindness, beauty and health, and is an awakening of life." Finally, Dr. Chao hopes that everyone can improve their life ability and change their life temperament through practicing Health Qigong.
Apart from the theoretical and technical aspects, Dr. Chao also focused on “How to Teach Effectively” by analysing each movement in Ma Wang Dui and how to break down each movement for different students (or students with different needs). He finally told the participants that to become a real professional Health Qigong instructor is a long journey and an endless learning process stressing that it could not be achieved over night or over a weekend.
There were also two workshops for the Beginners Ba Duan Jin conducted by Master Zhu and Daoyin Yangsheng Gong Shi Er Fa by Professor Peng. All were very well received.
The 2nd Oceania Health Qigong Instructors Training Course was a great success due to the highest international tuition available. Each session was a Master Class in its own right. Every participant recognised how special it was to learn from Masters Chao, Zhu and Peng. All benefited from the experience regardless of his or her knowledge or standard. Everyone was stimulated by their newly gained knowledge and encouraged each other to practice in the future. Every participant enjoyed the entire Instructors Training Course and the positive feedback was overwhelming.
With the increased popularity of Health Qigong in Australia and the Oceania region, TCA in conjunction with the International Health Qigong Federation and the Chinese Health Qigong Association eagerly anticipates the 2025 Series of Health Qigong Workshops for the entire Oceania region.
Thank you – the Chinese Health Qigong Association for another wonderful experience!
TCA runs FREE Health Qigong and Tai Chi class at Federation Square every Tuesday from 7.30am to 8.30am. Welcome to join us!
TCA thanks the continued support of the Federation Square management.
