MY HEART FULL OF GRATITUDE FOR YOUR GIFT OF “LOVE”

QIGONG PRACTICE VIA ZOOM

BENZ Lao shi   

Everybody 's level of qigong is different. 

              Now that we are on Recovery MCO, our zoom qigong may stop soon. We may be returning to  face-to-face practice in our qigong centre in USJ by next week. I will miss the 6 am “dou ling” sessions with Benz, the 10 am - 12.30 pm marathon sessions with Mr. and Mrs. Liew, Terry and Soon Chin, the Wednesday and Saturday talks by Edwin and the 8.30 - 9.30 pm practice with Anthony. All my lao shi(s) who kept me physically and mentally strong during the MCO, TQ for your dedication for the past 85 days, from me and I can say from all our qigong members too.

         Benz lao shi has been up and putting us through “boot camp” by 6 am since March. This is what I call pure dedication. It is still pitch black outside, the dawn is cool and Thory is ready and waiting for me like clockwork. He is very disciplined and never misses a class (Benz I mean, but Thory too).

         Benz lao shi trains us to focus through a qigong technique call “dou ling” which increases body immunity. This is a gentle front and back movement of the hips without moving the rest of the body. The movement is EASY, but keeping our Mind-Body-Qi-Nature in focus for 1 ½ hours as we scan our skeletal and digestive system is NOT SO EASY. Lao shi is very kind and allows us a coffee break for a whole five minutes before he starts on another 20 minutes of “dan tian” breathing. “Dan tian” is an area two inches below our navel where qi is stored. We breathe in for 7 sec, hold for 28 sec and expire slowly for 14 sec while sitting cross-legged with pelvis, shoulders and head in a straight line up. Ohh … Lord help me, at first, I was gasping like a fish out of water, but no problems now!

The qigong marathon begins at 10 am as I morph into a Duracell-bunny.

 We start with “chen qi” with Terry and Soon Chin on Tuesdays and Fridays.

         This technique calls for the arms to be raised straight out at navel level with wrists at right angles to the arms. We then raise our shoulders slightly up and down for 30 mins. Argh … believe me, this is a killer. This technique channels and mobilises inner qi, breaks through blockages that affect micro-circulation, aids disease recovery and prevents illnesses.

   Then we move to the 5 Tibetan rites, said to be practiced for youth and vigour. Monday and Thursday practice lead by Mr and Mrs Liew.

 Check https://www.healthline.com. 

Thory loves the moving table top as he always goes under me  to push me up. Belle takes a nap, she is 70+ human years already.

        Following this is the wall squats to loosen spine and waist, and increase body strength. This is my favourite (you can’ t hear my snigger in a blog). OK, with feet as close to the wall as possible, do 120 FULL squats. These wall squats really give you a good work out with sweat pouring down. The lao shi(s), Lan Boey and other members really do 120 squats. I take a coffee break to rest my heart after 60 squats. Sorry, my beloved lao shi(s), I am still a weak student upgrading myself slowly.

              After this, we do “dou ling” again for 30 mins. Lunch time and I need a nap, so does Thory. Poor fella is exhausted.

Anthony lao shi takes care of the night modules. 

This lao shi makes qigong look so care-free, and that’s how qigong should be.  REEEELAXXXX, BE STILL, STAY CALM, his voice booming through zoom every night. Each day we have a different value to ponder upon. We do "zhan zhuang" for 20 mins on Tuesdays.

Since Wednesday is "assiduous" which means "showing great perseverance," we do 30 mins of "cheng bi" (arms holding) to improve heart and lung functions. For “cheng bi,” we hold out arms out-stretched at shoulder level, wrists at right angles to arms and hold for 30 mins without lowering arms.

 Try it and let me know! Hint .. hint .. I belong to the 25% of the class that lowers our arms more than 3 times in the 30 mins. Confession time – I lower my arms at least 6 times, BUT I AM TRYING.

 And to our Edwin lao shi who patiently teaches us theory every Wed. and Sat. 

           Edwin lao shi has the patience of a Saint. I have never ever seen him flustered, whatever the circumstances. Lao shi is a pillar of encouragement as he spurs us to self-realisation and to the extraordinary level. Lao shi always reminds us, "Do not put your yi yuan ti in a FRAME, Keep CHANGING and UPGRADING."

  And I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER Vincent lao shi, my FIRST qigong MASTER. 

He was instrumental in making certain I learnt every move accurately when I started. Not only am I a weak student, I am an impatient one too. "Aiyah, can I go to the next module, please?" "NO, go to the back of the class and practise Module 1 "Peng Qi" AGAIN." AARGH!! It was exasperating repeating moves over and over again. Sometimes, I would sneak to the front to attempt Module 2.  Before I could even make the first move, I would get a tap on my shoulder, "back of the class please." 
THANK YOU Vincent lao shi, I now truly appreciate how important it is to get every move performed accurately.

 All the qigong techniques can be achieved with mind over matter. Initially, the lessons can be excruciating but with practice and will power, both body and mind are strengthened.        

“Hmm … you cannot force qigong on people, 
it is “LEADING BY EXAMPLE.” 
Just DO IT, and let your results convince others.” 
Pearls of wisdom from Thory.