T'ai Chi Chi Kung is an ancient Chinese exercise that improves a person mentally and physically. People who learn and practice Chi Kung care about their minds and bodies. They want to think and feel better. They are willing to spend the time and energy to learn about Chi.
Chi is "breath, energy." Kung means "work, skill, energy and time." Chi Kung is the study and training with breath and energy that takes a lot of work and time. It has a history of thousands of years. Much of the research into Chi Kung comes from ancient India and China. Many people from both nations spent much of their lives researching the mind and body. Chi Kung was the result of their mental and physical efforts.
Some of the best known ancient written works on Chi and Chi Kung are the "I Ching" (Book of Changes), "Jea Guu Wen" (Oracle-Bone Scripture), "Tao Te Ching" (Classic on the Virtue of the Tao), "Shyy Gi" (Historical Records), "Nan Hwa Ching" (written by Juang Tzyy), "Nan Ching" (Classic on Disorders), "Gin Guey Yao Liueh" (Prescriptions from the Golden Chamber), "Jou I Tsan Torng Chih" (A Comparative Study of the Jou Book of Changes), "Yeang Shenn Yan Ming Luh" (Records of Nourishing the Body and Extending Life), "Yi Gin Ching" (Muscle/Tendon Changing Classic), "Shii Soei Ching" (Marrow/Brain Washing Classic), "Ju Bing Yuan Hou Luenn" (Thesis on the Origins and Symptoms of Various diseases), "Chian Gin Fang" (Thousand Gold Prescriptions), "Wai Tai Mih Yao" (The Extra Important Secret), "Yeang Shenn Jyue" (Life Nourishing Secrets), "Ru Men Shyh Shyh" (The Confucian Point of View), "Lan Shyh Mih Tsarng" (Secret Library of the Orchid Room), "Ger Jyh Yu Luenn" (A Further Thesis of Complete Study), "Torng Ren Yu Shiuh Jen Jeou Twu" (Illustration of the Brass Man Acupuncture and Moxibustion), "Bao Sheen Mih Yao" (The Secret Important Document of Body Protection), "Yeang Shenn Fu Yeu" (Brief Introduction to Nourishing the Body), "Yi Fang Jyi Jieh" (The Total Introduction to Medical Prescriptions), and "Nei Kung Twu Shwo" (Illustrated Explanation of Nei Kung).
Chi Kung is practiced in two ways: External and Internal. Those ways are known as Wai Dan (External Elixir) and Nei Dan (Internal Elixir). External is about the limbs of the body (arms, hands, legs, feet). Internal is about the inside of the body (vital organs, blood, bone). Elixir is a theoretical substance in the body that can lengthen life. We might understand that as "health." A healthy mind and body can give a person longer life. Chi Kung is one way to develop health.
Some of the major types of Chi Kung are Scholar Chi Kung, Medical Chi Kung, Martial Chi Kung and Religious or Spiritual Chi Kung. T'ai Chi Chi Kung comes from a combination of Scholar and Martial Chi Kung. People who practiced Scholar Chi Kung wanted to maintain health and prevent disease. People who practiced Martial Chi Kung wanted to develop strong minds and bodies for self defense.
The major ancient schools of Scholar Chi Kung were Confucianism and Taoism. Both practiced meditation for health. They emphasized a calm mind. They desired peace and balance in their lives. They believed calmness, peace and balance would improve their mental and physical health.
The major schools of Martial Chi Kung were External and Internal. External schools emphasize building Chi in the limbs for power. External systems include hundreds of styles of Kung Fu and Karate. Internal schools emphasize building Chi in the body, then leading Chi to the limbs for power. Internal systems include T'ai Chi Ch'uan, Ba Gua Chang, Hsing Yi Ch'uan and Liu Ho Pa Fa.
Hwa-Yu T'ai Chi Ch'uan is another name for the system of Liu Ho Pa Fa. Liu Ho Pa Fa means "Six Combinations Eight Methods." The Hwa Yu system is based on the creation of Master Chen Hsi-I and the writings of Master Li Tung Fung. Both men lived during China's Sung Dynasty (960-1279 AD). Master John Chung Li brought the Art to the United States in the late 1960s and to Europe in the 1970s. He called the system "Hwa-Yu T'ai Chi Ch'uan" in honor of the mountain where Master Hsi-I created Liu Ho Pa Fa.
One of the primary T'ai Chi Chi Kung exercises practiced at Tampa Bay T'ai Chi is "One Yin Circle Palm Internal Art." It is believed to be hundreds of years older than Liu Ho Pa Fa. "One Yin Circle Palm" is a bone-building exercise. The exercise is practiced slowly, softly, fluidly and with great enjoyment. It has a powerful effect on the Internal and External.
Other T'ai Chi Chi Kung exercises practiced in Tampa Bay T'ai Chi classes include Standing, Rowing and Walking. Each exercise is practiced for the purpose of improving mind and body. Many of the exercises are therapeutic and address specific health needs of the body.
We invite you to join one of the Tampa Bay classes and learn how T'ai Chi Chi Kung will improve your life.
For more information about this special T'ai Chi program, contact Mark McGee
"Those who set out to learn the exercise, do not misjudge the value of The Chinese Five Word Song."
Verses 133-134
"The Chinese Five Word Song" was written by Master Li Tung Fung during the early part of China's Sung Dynasty. Master Li learned Hwa-Yu T'ai Chi Ch'uan (Liu Ho Pa Fa Ch'uan Fa) from Master Chen Hsi-I, creator of the martial art and health exercise. Master Li Tung Fung took refuge in the mountain of Yun, southeast from the Lok district. While living on Yun, he authored the famous Chinese Five Word Song, which serves today as the only extant treatise explaining the principles of the original Liu Ho Pa Fa.
Hwa-Yu T'ai Chi Ch'uan was a closed-door martial art for almost 1,000 years. Master John Chung Li opened the door to hundreds of students in China, the United States and Europe. Master Li translated The Chinese Five Word Song and added his commentary to each of the 134 verses to help students understand the truth within Internal Martial Arts. We are privileged to now offer the insights to this phenomenal martial art and healthcare science through the publication of The Chinese Five Word Song.
We are extremely pleased to announce the publication of The Chinese Five Word Song. It's filled with tremendous insights into the philosophy and guiding principles of Internal Martial Arts from one of the true masters of the 20th Century.
You can purchase "The Chinese Five Word Song" from top online book sellers (Barnes and Noble, Borders Books, Amazon.com and Books A Million).
Contact Mark McGee by e-mail if you would like to receive a signed copy of the book.
