Weekend 2, 16-17th, April 2011
By Zhendi Wu
In April, with the spring energy at its peak, all living beings are following a natural cycle of preparing for fertilisation and procreation. Our kidneys and liver in responding to this cycle of energy are working at full potential. Under their influence, and regardless of what age we are our sexual energy is also awakening; we feel happier, more joyful and more emotional. Generally we are preparing to give our energy and love in service to the life force, as all women have done in history— that is to care, to love, and to prepare.
This is also the best season for female practitioners to do something for themselves-–to start a set of new practises to achieve the goals of anti-ageing and rejuvenation. These rejuvenating Daoist exercises will also lead us toward Longevity and Enlightenment.
Our aims this weekend are:
1. To strengthen our kidneys and warm up the energy centre known as Ming Men (Gate of Life);
2. To ignite the potent fire in the lower Dan-Tian (energy centre three inches below the navel);
3. To Regulate unbalanced liver energy, and to use the liver energy to nourish our sexual organs;
4. To collect the Shen (spirit) of the liver, kidneys and heart;
5. Meditation on making the Shen meet the Jing or essential water energy. (An initiation of female internal alchemy);
6. To open blockages in the heart chakras to help prevent breast cancer;
7. To deal with weight related problems;
Exercises we will undertake
1. Special Digestion and slimming exercises;
2. Hua-Gong Frame Work Special;
3. Breathing Exercises to open the three Dan-Tian (Usually the middle and lower Dan-Tians are particularly blocked). For most of middles aged female practitioners, this will be achieved by opening the meridians in the front part of the body;
4. Breathing Exercises for rejuvenating the internal organs- this month especially for the liver and kidneys;
5. Breathing Exercises for rejuvenating female sexual organs to increase Jing energy;
6. Meditation for collecting the Shen- the spirit of organs;
7. Meditation for collecting Yuan-Shen—the original spirit;
8. Facial massage for promoting a facelift; thus preventing eye bags, double chin and sliming the face;
9. Facial frame works to clear dark shadow around face;
10. Most importantly, this month we will learn how to take care of our breasts, to reduce the
enlarged mammary glands, thus helping to prevent breast cancer;
11. The main and most important meditations for women will start from this month.
FAQ:
Q: I have been losing too much weight recently, can I benefit from the Women’s class with regard to this issue?
A: A Weight issues are a problem when one is either losing or gaining too much weight in a short period of time e.g. gaining or losing more than 10 pounds over three months without suffering any particular illness. When a woman approaches middle age, generally her body shape will be fuller, and more flesh will appear on the arms, abdomen and hip area. This is caused by a weakened spleen, as this organ controls the amount of flesh in the body; secondly, it is a normal process as a fuller figure provides natural protection for a weakened bone structure.
We do not need to worry about our slightly changed figure. However If gaining or losing weight becomes a problem and has affected our health, we have to deal with this issue by strengthening our weakened vital energy, and rejuvenating aged or tired organs.
Q: I have missed some weekends of Beauty & Rejuvenation for Women; may I start later when I am more ready both in terms of time and finances?
A: For our women’s series, some individual exercise may vary according to seasons of the year, but the Fundamental exercises will be repeatedly taught and practised at each weekend. You really are never too late to start, and besides no one can learn and remember everything taught by attending only one weekend. For these reasons, you never need to worry that you have missed one of our weekends.
Q: How many classes do I need to take before I can really make an obvious progress in my health?
A: If you are looking for help in only in the health aspect and do not suffer with a serious or chronic illness, one class can suffice to feel some kind of improvement; for instance, you will experience more energy, be more relaxed, better able to sustain concentration , and better sleep etc., in general you will feel better. Of course, if you want to help promote good health you will need to attend more classes and retreats, practice a lot of the exercises at home and attend even a private Qigong session which may offer a great chance for a breakthrough.
Q: How many classes do I need to take to be able to practise on my own, I mean to practise at home with the same or similar benefit as taking a class under the guidance of the teacher?
A: Any Qigong training needs to be practiced repeatedly by one’s own. After the first few initial classes, practitioners have learned some basic ways to practice on their own; but to most of us, may feel that the energy is not as clear and as strong as when practiced with the teachers. This is because Qigong as with any kind of special skill needs a lot of practise to be able to achieve a level of Gong (level of ability to utilize the Qi).
In most of cases, even for an experienced Qigong practitioner, practicing in the class is quite different from practicing on one’s own. There are many other benefits to be had from attending classes, for example, the Qi energy transmitted by the teacher is much stronger than Qi gained by a lone individual practicing at home. For anyone wishing to learn Qigong and with ideals to become a Qigong master, of course, the more classes taken the more chance one has to be initiated and enlightened.
In general, there are many benefits from attending Qigong classes. If it is impossible to attend any class, we need to practice on our own as much as we can as time and effort are two basic requirements for someone wishing one day to become a true practitioner. Strictly speaking, if one cannot dedicate a certain amount of time to practise Qigong regularly, for instance, everyday or every week, one cannot say he/she is a Qigong practitioner, rather a Qigong student or a beneficiary.
Q: What should I prepare if I have decided to practise Qigong as a life- long practice?
A: If we have decided to commit ourselves to any kind of practice or profession, we have to prepare ourselves with regard to time and financial arrangements; also we can achieve more if we practise with friends and family members together.
In past generations, the masters of Chinese Martial Arts and Qigong practice would ask students to make good arrangements in the following four aspects before they became a student: teaching/teacher (school or subjects), companion, finance and place for practice.
To this day these old teachings still make sense to us all.
