Tai Chi Fundamentals
More generally known as Opening the Energy Gates of Your Body Neigong
Tai Chi Fundamentals is a complete series of neigong exercises that is over 3000 years old. It is the foundation of the internal arts and it is the best place to start.
This course teaches how to overcome stress-related illnesses through deep relaxation, heal chronic joint problems and build internal power and flexibility.
The Benefits of Tai Chi Fundamentals
- Loosens and strengthens the muscles.
- Protects the joints, improves their range of motion and heals joint injuries.
- Improves balance.
- Increases circulation and improves breathing.
- Releases and strengthens the nervous system (reduces stress).
- Heals and strengthens the internal organs.
The three exercises that are taught as Tai Chi Fundamentals are:
1) Standing Nei Gung or Zhan Zhuang – a powerful practice used by virtually all of the top internal martial arts and neigong masters to develop internal power. It will teach you to:
- Align your body correctly in order to achieve the downward flow of qi without blocking or dissipating it.
- Open, release and strengthen your energetic and nervous systems.
- Connect and integrate all the parts of your body.
2) Cloud Hands or Yun Shou – the most complete nei gung movement. It contains all the essential energy elements of Tai Chi Chuan, but is much easier to learn. It will teach you to:
- Maintain all of the standing alignments and
- Connect the whole energy of your body while you are moving.
- Move in spirals by twisting your muscles and connective tissue
- Energise your internal organs and boost your immune system
“If you could only practice one single movement for health, Cloud Hands would be it.” B.K. Frantzis, Opening the Energy Gates of Your Body, p.153.
3) The Spinal Stretch – a technique unique to Daoist nei gung and not commonly available to the public. This is the first level of spinal nei gung and will teach you to:
- Open and release your individual spinal vertebrae and thus relieve spinal tension and pain.
- Open, release and strengthen the energy of your spine.
It is especially worth while for those who wish to heal injuries, manage chronic illnesses, reduce stress or considerably enhance their martial, athletic or intellectual power.
No prior experience is needed for this course.
On going Tai Chi Fundamentals classes are being run in Broadstairs, Canterbury, Faversham, Rainham, and Whitstable .
Part 2 of Tai Chi Fundamentals is the Three Swings
Recommended Reading
Frantzis, B.K., Opening the Energy Gates of Your Body, 2nd edition (Berkeley: Blue Snake Books, 2006). ISBN 1-58394-146-0.
Frantzis, B. K., The Power of the Internal Martial Arts (Berkeley: North Atlantic Books, 1998).
Frantzis, B.K., The Chi Revolution (Berkeley: Blue Snake Books, 2008). ISBN 978-1-58394-193-5.