CHI KUNG AND THE USE OF CHI.
Chi Kung means the cultivation of chi energy. I practise Chi Kung in movements called 'The Eight Pieces of Treasure'which are older than Tai Chi, as old as Feng Shui, older than Taoism. Throughout all Chinese history, these movements have been there, once again copied from nature and often given titles referring back to nature. Certain postures which regulate the breath and concentrate the mind are called the 'Frolics of the Five Animals', the tiger, deer, bear, monkey and bird. The hard chi or soft chi developed can be used in martial arts and meditation respectively. Chinese medicine talks of channelled chi and it is used, in various ways, through chakra cleansing, space clearing and of course, Feng Shui.
Chi Kung is standing,with feet planted firmly and performing exercises with the rest of the body, without moving your stance. You are 'earthing' your body, taking in the chi from around you. All of this ties back into Taoism, and further back before the philosophy was even called Taoism, until they were all collected together under the one philosophy. Animals and birds, as well as water, have great symbolism in Feng Shui as indeed do numbers, especially the number five which represents 'the centre' also known ,as we have learned before, as the tai chi. |
