CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Qigong-Meditation
(Core Breathing Skills and Internal-External Energy Work)
Usually, the first third of this three-part class is dedicated to the ancient Chinese energy art and science of qigong (the practice of skillfully cultivating lifeforce through conscious breathing and movement). Qigong teaches individuals how to slowdown and mindfully harmonize their breath while simultaneously doing gentle movements. Learning and practicing these skills will better facilitate cleansing, attuning, recharging and rejuvenation of the body's bioelectric energy, referred to as Qi/Chi (pronounced Chee) in Chinese medicine. In some baguazhang systems there are a variety of STANDING, MOVING, WALKING, SITTING and LAYING-DOWN Taoist qigong methods that can be practiced in order to help gather, circulate and re-balance this Qi lifeforce. Depending on the overall level of the group present, one or a combination of these five primary qigong methods will be taught to help students better achieve wholebody integration.
Core Baguazhang Training
GATHERING FROM HEAVEN, GATHERING FROM EARTH, SWINGS, RAISE HANDS, FOOT PUMPS, RISE-FALL-OVERTURN, MUD STEPPING, HALF STEPPING, TOE IN TOE OUT, SWIMMING, HEAVENLY STEMS, TEACUPS, PIERCING PALM, CHOPPING PALM, WRAPPING PALM…these are also some of the select group of exercises and drills that are regularly rotated through out the first or second third of these ongoing classes. These exercises are specially designed to practically develop within the zeigua-bagua student some of the most important internal martial arts principles: such as maintaining balanced power throughout all parts of the body, equally using both sides of the body and spontaneously changing direction and body position without losing one's center.
Baguazhang Palm Change Forms
The art of Baguazhang uses short KungFu like forms to condition the body to move with unique spiraling torques and twists that develop self-defense capacities and exceptional wholebody strength. But, most importantly palm changes simultaneously trains the mind to embrace the principles of change, as taught in the I Ching, to help improve a person's character and increase their overall flexibility, agility and balance. Depending on the overall level of the group present, Master Instructor Joseph Zeisky will alternately focus on either the Single Palm, Snake Palm or Dragon Palm changes to thoroughly express the unique mind set of baguazhang style internal martial arts.
ZEIGUA Teaching Style ***
Joseph’s unique way of blending the various styles and methods of his many teachers and ways of balancing traditional training approaches with the needs of his modern-day students, is the teaching style he now simply refers to as ZEIGUA. This will be his primary teaching approach and method towards helping beginners and advanced students alike, learn the core aspects of the Internal Arts.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Clothing
It is highly recommended to wear very loose fitting sweat pants and long sleeve shirts made of only natural materials, such as 100% organic cotton, raw silk, linen or other natural fibers. This will allow the body greater freedom of movement and maximum comfort and breatheability.
Footwear
It is also highly recommended to wear flat soled shoes, such as cotton soled taichi shoes, kung-fu shoes, leather, canvas or cotton sneakers with a very thin rubber sole, socks that have thin rubber grippers on the soles or one can simply go barefoot. But, please avoid using street shoes, jogging shoes or regular sneakers that have too much cushioning and elevation, because they prevent your Achilles tendons from being properly exercised and don't fully allow your feet to be opened and strengthened.
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