Chi gung is a Chinese term describing dedicated self development.
Put simply, chi gung involves regulation of the body, regulation of the breath, and regulation of the mind.
Proprioception and mindfulness are developed to a high degree. The work is not merely relaxation or exercise; it is a process of personal transformation.
Chi gung is essential training for martial artists and healers who harm or heal using only their own body and mind. Although martial and medical chi gung are very different, the underlying skills and understanding of human energetics are the same. Sometimes we need the strength and fearlessness of a warrior to get through serious illness.
See new book by Damo Mitchell: Daoist Nei Gong: The Philosophical Art of Change by Singing Dragon publishers. I have written the foreword to this important pioneering book.
Regular Classes:
My teaching focuses on health and healing. These are the so-called internal arts of medical chi gung. Classes are challenging but fun and include explanations and discussions of how this work links with Western physiology and scientific understanding. There is individual, partner and group work. Standing postures are very important. Postural alignments are crucial to avoid injury and to enhance flow of fluids and chi. Joints are opened, soft tissue is lengthened, emphasis is made on enabling the spine to become supple and flexible.
Humour is important too.
“Cindy’s chi kung classes are well structured, always a bit challenging, very satisfying and above all great fun. She works with insight, intuition and humour.” Linda Sonntag (author).
Material covered in regular classes includes:
- clearing / releasing tension held in the body
- increasing body awareness / proprioception
- identifying and letting go of unhelpful mental & emotional habits
- opening the joints / increasing flexibility / lengthening soft tissue
- lengthening and opening the spine in particular
- regulating the breath / softening the diaphragm
- sinking / connecting
- activating and moving from the centre
- increasing chi sensitivity / exploring energetic anatomy
- clearing the energetic body of stagnation
- gathering and collecting chi
- directing chi with intention
We make use of standing & sitting meditations, a variety of well known forms, and natural movement. New students are encouraged to start a daily practise of standing for a few months after which their practise is developed to suit their individual needs.
“Cindy’s classes offer immense benefit to body, mind, emotions and spirit. Her workshops are like a mystery outing that we attend with eager anticipation. She leads our awareness on a journey of discovery into our bodies and beyond.” Tessa Dunbar (massage therapist)
Mondays 6.15 – 7.45pm
Thursdays 1.00 – 2.30pm
The Harmony Centre, Walpole, Nr Halesworth, Suffolk, IP19 9BB.
Block of 6 weeks £40
FREE taster class always available. Just try us out.
Booking essential Tel: 01986 873997 or mobile 07873 114682
Dragon & Tiger medical chi gung is a complete set of only seven forms that efficiently works the extraordinary meridians. It is from the Shaolin monastery in China passed down to Master B.K.Franztis and now taught as part of his EnergyArts programme. Traditionally it was used to prevent serious illness but it is used in modern China to counteract the effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Emphasis is on shifting stagnation, increasing and enhancing flow of fluids and chi through the extraordinary meridians. Awareness is kept fully on the sensations of chi flow at all times and practitioners are urged not to allow dissociation.
Dedicated workshops
Accredited instructor of Dragon & Tiger (level 1)
Cindy Engel:
Instructor of Internal Alchemy (trained in Wudang, China, with teacher Hu Xuezhi, author of Revealing the Tao Te Ching). Instructor of B.K. Franzis’ Core Chi Gung programme www.energyarts.com. Two year teacher training diploma with the College of Elemental Chi Kung, London www.elementalchikung.com.