Our Sifu (Master Teacher) Wing Cheung

Sifu (Master/Teacher) Wing Cheung, Tai Chi Division Champion of the 2005 Canada Kung Fu and Wushu Championship and founder of Tai Chi, Qigong & Feng Shui Institute had acquired a deep interest in martial arts and had started learning northern Shaolin kung fu from his father since he was six years old. Grandmaster Cheung was a kung fu and tai chi master as well as a kick boxer, he won the Canton Province Kick Boxing Championship back in 1969.

After suffering from a serious traffic accident in 1994, Sifu Cheung sought the help of Master Wu Jian Hua, afamous qigong healer. Master Wu was a colleague of Professor Lin Hou-Sheng at the Shanghai QigongResearch Institute in China. Since then Sifu Cheung studied acupressure, traditional Chinese medical theories and different styles of Qigong under Master Wu. For the past 15 years, he has travelled to many places around the world learning tai chi, qigong and other inner techniques from different teachers. He has also spent a lot of time and resources doing research on them with the latest biofeedback, neurofeedback and quantum feedback equipments.

Sifu Cheung teaches Tai Chi Qigong at the Canadian Cancer Society Relay for Life event

Sifu Cheung has devoted his life spreading the wonders of qi around the world. He now works as a qigong healer, feng shui (the study of how qi/energy flows in and around the house to bring good health and fortune to its occupants) consultant and teaches tai chi and qigong. Through his workshops, he has trained hundreds of tai chi qigong instructors worldwide.



Sifu Wing Cheung has been featured on different magazines, newspapers and radio stations worldwide

BWQ Joins National Qigong Association

Blairish Wisdom Qigong Joins National Qigong Association in a continuing effort to bring information about the art of Qigong to the club.

Namaste

Ego Vs. Self

Body Frequencies - The Flowing

Our body has many different rhythms. The most obvious is our heart. Its beat to beat changes produce its own rhythm. Our brainwave has its own rhythm. Our blood pressure oscillation produces its own rhythm and the pace at which we breathe produces our respiratory rhythm… etc. When all our bodily rhythms are in sync with each other, our bodies will produce a powerful resonant frequency. Studies have found that there are many positive effects both physically and emotionally when our bodies vibrate at this resonant frequency.  Qigong and Tai Chi are means to reach this state of frequency union.  It has been called "The Flowing."  With enough patience and practice you will experience this.  

For human beings, the resonant frequency of our system is approximately 0.1 Hz. Studies also find that our systems naturally oscillate at its resonant frequency when we are actively feeling a sustained positive emotion such as appreciation, compassion, or love.


Each internal organ vibrates at their own higher frequencies

*ORGAN  - FREQUENCY

Lung 126 Cycles Per Minute 

Colon  108 Cycles Per Minute 

Spleen 132 Cycles Per Minute 

Stomach 132 Cycles Per Minute
Heart 126 Cycles Per Minute
Small Intestine 120 Cycles Per Minute 

Kidney 120 Cycles Per Minute 

Bladder 112 Cycles Per Minute 

Pericardium 176 Cycles Per Minute 

San Jiao (Triple Heater) 152 Cycles Per Minute 

Liver 108 Cycles Per Minute 

Gallbladder 120 Cycles Per Minute 

Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) 104 Cycles Per Minute 

Du Mai (Governing Vessel) 104 Cycles Per Minute 

*Compliments of Dr. Yoshio Manaka M.D. Japan

Don't look back. Something might be gaining on you

Live in the past and you will suffer the pain of yesterday.  

Live in the future and you will suffer from the anxiety of what might be.  

Live in the now and you will find peace.  

This is the true meaning of the gift called 'presence'.   

Relaxing The Shoulders

Most beginners tend to raise their shoulders when they raise their arms. The shoulders should be relaxed all the time because when they are relaxed, you can breathe deeper, thus allowing the whole body to be more relaxed. Also, the qi flow to the arms would be much better when the shoulders are relaxed. Sadly, many beginners are often so tense and stressed out that they forget how to relax their shoulders.

Here is a simple technique to relax the shoulders:

a. Breathe in, raise the shoulders.
b. Hold the breathe for 10 seconds, hold the shoulders in the raised position.
c. Breathe out, let the shoulders sink down naturally.

Repeat steps a - c at least 9 times.

Courtesy Sifu - Wing Cheung

Correct Stance for Qigong

Most beginners have a difficult time lowering their body properly because they cannot relax their pelvis. When the pelvis is locked, the weight would be concentrated on the knees. A proper stance is very important because placing too much weight on your knees can lead to knee injury. Everyone knows how to relax the pelvis. We do that naturally on the motion of sitting down. So, whenever you have to lower your body during the shibashi movements, just think of sitting on an empty stool.

On the other hand, some are able to relax the pelvis but couldn't keep the back straight, thus placing too much weight on the bottom and lower back. When you relax your pelvis and do the stance properly, the weight should be on your thighs.

In order to check whether your stance is correct, stand beside a mirror and start to relax your pelvis and lower your body until the angle between your thighs and calves is less than 160 degrees. Now, look at the mirror. Make sure your back is straight. If your knees go beyond your toes, you are placing too much weight on your knees. If your bottom sticks out, that means you are placing too much weight on it as well as your lower back. See the photo below for details.



Reproduced from Sifu Wing Cheung - Thank you Sifu

What is The Ideal Speed of doing Shibashi Qigong?

Because the movements of Shibashi Qigong are coordinated with breathing the speed depends on each person.   Remember to use belly breathing see post How to Breath when doing Qigong . 

Beginners with no previous training will breathe shallow (about 12 breaths/min) and do the set in roughly 10 minutes.  Ideally you want to lower your breaths to 6 breaths/min which will bring your practice to around 20 min.  

Practicing daily along with the video in addition to instructor training will teach you how to perform the moves correctly.   Once you remember the sequence by heart start practicing at your own pace.  No need to follow the pace of the video anymore.   Most people should be able to perform the Shibashi at a pace of 6 breaths per minute (0.1Hz), after practicing daily for a couple of months. Doing the exercise at a comfortable pace is more important than trying to achieve 6 breaths per minute. Over breathing may result if are not ready and force yourself to breathe deeply to achieve this pace. Over breathing may leave you feeling light headed.

Seeing is Freeing

"Whenever an answer, a solution, or a creative idea is needed, stop thinking for a moment by focusing your attention on your inner energy field. Become aware of the stillness." (Oneness With All Life)

Stay present.  "Seeing is Freeing"

Namaste

Oneness With Life

"As you go about your life, don't give 100 percent of your attention to the external world and your mind. Keep some within." (Oneness With All Life)

Live Your Life In The Now

Benefits Of Each Shibashi Qigong Movement

The information is based on the translation of Professor Lin’s book Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi. While Shibashi does bring with it numerous health benefits, it is not a replacement for any of the treatments prescribed by your medical doctor.

Benefits of each movement:

1. Improves conditions related to the heart and liver and high blood pressure.

2. Improves conditions related to the heart, lungs and nervous system.

3. Relieves back pain and decreases the fat around waist.

4. Relieves shoulder pain and boosts stamina.

5. Relieves shoulder, elbow and wrist pain and improves conditions related to the lungs.

6. Helps the digestive system and increases mental clarity.

7. Improves conditions related to the kidney and increases spiritual energy.

8. Helps digestion, improves conditions related to the stomach and spleen and increases weight loss.

9. Helps digestion, improves conditions related to the stomach and spleen, strengthens waist and boosts stamina.

10. Helps digestion, improves conditions related to the nervous system and increases spiritual energy.

11. Improves conditions related to the kidney and stomach, increases weight loss and relieves waist and leg pain.

12. Improves conditions related to spleen, liver and lungs and decreases the instances and severity of insomnia.

13. Improves conditions related to the heart, liver, lungs and nervous system.

14. Increases lung capacity and improves conditions related to the lungs, nervous system and decreases the instances and severity of insomnia.

15. Relieves anxiety and headaches.

16. Promotes blood circulation, boosts stamina, increases weight loss and relieves waist and leg pain.

17. Improves body coordination, decreases the instances and severity of insomnia and fatigue.

18. Improves conditions related to the heart, stomach, high blood pressure and calms the mind.

The benefits of the 1st set Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi are much more than the above mentioned. Just remember, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Meaning of Namaste

The gesture Namaste represents the belief that there is a Divine spark within each of us that is located in the heart chakra. The gesture is an acknowledgment of the soul in one by the soul in another. Nama means bow, as means I, and te means you. Therefore,namaste literally means "bow me you" or "I bow to you."

To perform Namaste, we place the hands together at the heart charka, close the eyes, and bow the head. It can also be done by placing the hands together in front of the third eye, bowing the head, and then bringing the hands down to the heart. This is an especially deep form of respect. Although in the West the word "namaste" is usually spoken in conjunction with the gesture, in India, it is understood that the gesture itself signifies Namaste, and therefore, it is unnecessary to say the word while bowing.

We bring the hands together at the heart chakra to increase the flow of Divine love. Bowing the head and closing the eyes helps the mind surrender to the Divine in the heart. One can do Namaste to oneself as a meditation technique to go deeper inside the heart chakra; when done with someone else, it is also a beautiful, albeit quick, meditation.

For a teacher and student, Namaste allows two individuals to come together energetically to a place of connection and timelessness, free from the bonds of ego-connection. If it is done with deep feeling in the heart and with the mind surrendered, a deep union of spirits can blossom.

Ideally, Namaste should be done both at the beginning and at the end of class. Usually, it is done at the end of class because the mind is less active and the energy in the room is more peaceful. The teacher initiates Namaste as a symbol of gratitude and respect toward her students and her own teachers and in return invites the students to connect with their lineage, thereby allowing the truth to flow—the truth that we are all one when we live from the heart.

QiGong - Sweat during workout

Shibashi Qigong is a form of low impact aerobic exercise.  So it is only natural to perspire.  This Qigong works the internal organs giving them a workout and as they gain energy and strength you will find that over time you will sweat less and less.  So bring it on!

Remember not to drink cold water or expose your back to strong wind or cold, or take a shower at least 30 min after practicing Shibashi Qigong.  Same deal with professional athletes  you see them running for a coat or sweater soon after their set or competition.

Food to Improve Qi

Q. Is there any food you recommend to improve qi?

A. Yes, but the recommendation would differ depending on one’s specific body type. However, there is a balanced formula that is suitable for every body type. The formula is dried longan, dried goji berry, chamomile, and dried red-coloured jujube. (You should be able to buy these easily at any Chinese herbal store; fresh ones are OK too). Just mix them with boiling hot water similar to making tea. The taste is very pleasant. I usually prepare 2L of this in the morning and then drink it like water throughout the day.

Reproduced from Sifu Wing Chung - Nameste

How to Breath when doing Qigong - Reverse breathing vs. Abdominal breathing

There are two main type of breathing you can do when practicing Qigong.  Normal Abdominal breathing or Reverse Breathing (Buddhas Breath).

Normal abdominal breathing is inhaling through your nose and expanding the abdomen nice a full then deeply exhale.  Alternately you can try reverse breathing where you inhale through your nose and suck in your belly then exhale deeply.

Exhaling through your nose or mouth?

When practicing Qigong you should always have the tip of your tongue touching the roof of your mouth to complete the microscopic orbit of Chi energy circulating around your governing and conception meridians.  Inhaling via the nose naturally makes you want to put your tongue on the roof of your mouth and exhaling from your mouth forces you to drop your tongue on the exhale which is correct.

Start with just breathing and don't even think about it.  Then start with Abdominal breathing then graduate to reverse abdominal. Re-training your body to naturally reverse breath without thinking takes great discipline and years of practice but is your gateway to reactivating your microscopic orbit and Dian Tien returning you to what the taoist believe to be the 'source'.

When is the best time to practice Qigong?

Early morning is the best time soon after you get up.  And here's why:

After you wake up you mind is still in a low alpha frequency so its much easier to get into the proper mind state for Shibashi.
The air quality is at its best first thing in the morning so practice outside if you can and breath in all the fresh chi air you can.

According to the Bible of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), its best hit the hay before 11pm in the spring and summer and at 9 pm in the autumn and winter and wake up around dawn.  Getting enough rest is something we all know we should do, but do please try to make it a habit.
...But having said that I have also found that doing Qigong between11pm and 3 am is incredibly powerful.  If you can sleep in or call in sick the next day try it out for yourself.

Everybody's body type is different.  These are just guidelines.  Most important is to practice every day and make it a habit to obtain maximum benefit.

True Meditation

In true meditation there is no meditator or object of meditation.
In true meditation there is no goal, not even for enlightenment.
In true meditation, the silence, stillness and emptiness will lead to I-am-ness
In true meditation the transcendence of I-am-ness will lead to beingness.
Beingness is the impersonal witnessing of all events.
In true meditation, beingness will finally be dissolved to Cosmic Consciousness.

Live Your Life

Timeless Wisdom

Ancient Qi gong poster found in cave suspected to be thousands of years old.

Energy Body Meridians

Mingmen - Gateway of The Soul

The Mingmen can be translated as meaning 'gateway of your Ming' and is a Shu point (acupressure point) in Chinese acupuncture located in the lower back in between the kidneys.  The Mingmen is of great significance in Qigong as it is believed to be the focal point where all of your life's (souls) energy originates from.  You can think of your Ming as your pre-destined journey from birth to death.  

'Our Ming is to travel from birth to death,
Three in ten follow the natural cause,
Three in ten die from disease or disaster,
Three in ten live well and live long yet they still reach there pre-ordained death.
Why is this?
They aim to extend their time in the transient physical realm.
Only one in ten may achieve the skill of escaping their Ming.'

The majority of people live unhealthy, experience traumas, grow sick and then deplete their Jing (life essence) to the point of early death.  According to Chinese medicine the Mingmen is the source of your Kidney Yin and Yang essence.  It is from here that this Jing (yin and Yang life essence) is passed down to the lower Dan Tien and then converted into Qi which nourishes the body.  Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi helps to build and preserve vital Jing and Qi to keep us healthy and stay the course for our complete Ming journey in this lifetime.  

Yin and Yang - The Heart of Qiogng Healing

At the heart of Qigong, Tai Chi and other ancient healing methods is the theory of yin and yang.  The lighter or white portion of the circle represents yang energy (positive, male, expanding, etc). The darker or black portion of the circle represents yin energy (negative, female contracting, etc).  Yin and yang are constantly changing — evolving from yin to yang and from yang back to yin.  Both yin and yang require each other to exist.  It is the energy of yin and yang  which all things within nature use to constantly maintain balance.  Qigong embraces this ancient Chinese philosophy by stimulating the yin and yang energies within us to proactivly encourage the body's natural ability to heal for health and longevity.   

Tai Chi Qigong as an Aerobic Exercise

There are many benefits in practicing Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi. Besides the obvious benefits, like the balance of Yin and Yang, increase overall qi level, clear blockages in the meridians, … etc., practicing Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi also has the benefits of aerobic exercise.

Aerobic exercise refers to exercise that involves or improves oxygen consumption by the body. Its benefits are widely known. For low intensity aerobic exercise (50%-65% of your maximum heart rate*), it can improve overall fitness, reduce stress, decrease body fat, blood pressure and cholesterol.

Slightly higher intensity aerobic exercise, (65%-80% of your maximum heart rate) is ideal for training your cardiovascular system and developing local muscle strength and increase stamina. Blood supply is increased through the new growth of blood vessels to the affected area. This provides more nutrients to the working muscles and helps take metabolic wastes from the muscles. With the increase in blood volume the cardiac muscle becomes larger, increasing the amount of blood pumped per heart beat. This means a lower heart rate at rest and more efficient recovery.

* Your Maximum Heart Rate (MHR) = 220 – Your Age

Our research has found that when performing the 1st Set Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi, the heart rate generally fall into the 50% to 70% range of your MHR, some call this range ‘The Healthy Heart Zone’ which is very good for weight control, decrease blood pressure and cholesterol.

When performing the 2nd Set Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi, the heart rate generally fall into the 60% to 80% range of your MHR, some call this range ‘The Endurance Zone’. In this zone of exercise, intensity can be used to build your heart/lung capacity, stamina and endurance.

Respectfully reproduced from our Sifu - Tai Chi, Qigong & Feng Shui Institute

Shibashi Qigong Video

There are many different forms of Tai Chi Qigong the one we practice and teach is called Shibashi which means 18 in Chinese. This Qigong consists of 18 simple movements combined with breathing patterns and performed in a 20 minute session. When done on a daily basis, these simple movements can make profound changes to your health and overall well-being. There is a reason why millions of people have practiced this Tai Chi Qigong everyday in China for centuries! During one session, Shibashi Qigong moves each and every joint and muscle in your body and provides a massage for all of your internal organs and glands.

Qigong - Gateway to Happyness

"Money is important but the happiness that money can buy is usually short lived. Therefore, those who place their happiness on material things from this highly commercialized world will find themselves preoccupied with having to earn more money to satisfy their insatiable materialistic needs and desires. Those that find themselves attempting to acquire more wealth find themselves acquiring more stress as well. I believe that we should not be caught up with the consumerism that this society so heavily promotes. We should be satisfied when we have enough to pay for our basic needs and a few of our favorite hobbies. Just remember, true happiness is from within. Happiness from the spiritual side is much more long lasting. Once we know our purpose in life and are on the right track to fulfill it, we would be in constant happiness and be stress free."

Qigong, yoga, Tai Chi, meditation etc are all methods that help us to detach from the egoistic mindset that enslaves us to the materialistic world.

Respectfully reproduced from our Sifu - Tai Chi, Qigong & Feng Shui Institute
Nameste

Qigong & Spiritual Growth

"Practicing Tai Chi qigong is not only about increasing ones qi, our spiritual level will also grow as we practice. This growth will enable us to cope with stress a lot better. We will have more awareness of the conditions of your minds and bodies. For example, we may start to notice how our mental status and bodies react to different exogenous factors, like weather changes and stress. We may even notice how various emotions affect our different organs. We will be able to make more sound decisions because of our enhanced awareness. That is why many people are able to get rid of their addictions to drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, etc after practicing Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi. We will find ourselves much calmer when faced with the same stress. Furthermore, many will start to see the world from different perspectives, thus will learn to see stress as just a situation that we have to deal with. Some may even spot opportunities in those situations."

Respectfully reproduced from our Sifu - Tai Chi, Qigong & Feng Shui Institute
Nameste

Introduction to Qigong Workshop

Introduction to Qigong

Join us! on Saturday March 16 (9:30 – 10:30 am)
Annanda Yoga & Reiki Healing Place!

We invite you for a Qigong information session explaining this century’s old healing practice and how it can transform your life.

We will explain and demystify Qigong revealing how Qigong empowers you to obtain the core benefits of Yang style Tai Chi in a matter of weeks, not years. Learn how 20 minutes a day can make dramatic positive changes to your life, reduce stress and enhance your way of living.

We will demonstrate the entire form and offer 1 FREE class for you to try!

Join Us!!

Enthusiasm

Chen above
The Arousing, THUNDER

K'un Below
The Receptive, EARTH

16   Enthusiasm - "To be enthused is to be filled with divine inspiration.  When you are inspired, you are inspiring."

As a thunderstorm relieves tension 

refreshing the Earth
music brings joy to the heart

following the line of last resistance 

you get the young people moving

they are on your side

like a rainbow bridge

you make the connection

between heaven and earth

you've got the whole world in your hands

when you know the secret of enthusiasm.

With daily Qigong practice I feel and play with the energies within me.  Like the tide it swells growing to its peak only to recede leaving me feeling empty and alone.  The time of day, the day of the month, moon cycles, the food you eat, the company you keeps etc all have an effect on the energies within.  The ego or lower self wants to claim them for its own and cling to them like a child with a new toy.  Qigong promotes balance and equality to the whole stimulating the higher self to release the energy within with just as much passion and enthusiasm the ego does to embrace them.  

Knowing this feeds my enthusiasm and respect for this internal art and my passion to share it with others.  TaiChi Shibashi Qigong is a doorway to the higher self that few seldom recognize   All I can do is show others the door.

Feather Cuts The Rock

As I slowly chip away at my own ignorance and Ego I am beginning to realize more and more that the recipe to happiness is quite simple; more on this in a moment.  It is the difficulties in discarding ones own programmed beliefs that takes work.  Hard work.  I often equate it to a proverb of a man coming across a Buddhist monk who was slowly brushing a feather across a huge bolder.  The man stopped and asked "What are you doing?"
The monk replied, "This bolder represents my ignorance.  I am breaking it down with this feather."
Shocked, the man cried out "That's impossible!"
"No".  Smiled the monk.  "It only requires patience."

With patience anything is possible.  You can move mountains with your mind.
Before you act.  Before you speak. Embrace three things before you proceed.

Make no comparison.
Make no judgement.
Delete your need to understand.

The Ego is the bolder.  The three above mentioned are the feather.  With patience you will set your mind free and find true happiness.  Easier said than done but it works.  Try it for yourself and see.

What is Wisdom?

Wisdom is more than just knowledge; it also involves judgement  experience and intelligence, as well as empathy and other qualities.  How do we gain it?  Why do we need it?  And when do we use it?   These questions become clearer as we grow and evolve spiritually and awaken our true higher self.

Today is the first day of the rest of my life.  I am grateful.