What's in the Spring 2023 Issue?

The Yang Style Taiji of Chen Weiming

Chen Weiming

It can be argued that the most famous taijiquan (t'ai chi ch'uan) master of the 20th century was Yang Cheng Fu (1883-1936). He was a highly skilled and well liked teacher who passed the Yang family style taijiquan on to millions throughout the world. Most of the Yang style forms taught today are derived from this man with his modifications to his family’s taiji (t'ai chi) which he developed in the 1920s and 30s. However, there are still some rare cases where Yang family taiji is being taught from the lineages of Yang’s father, Yang Jian Hou (1839-1917), his uncle, Yang Ban Hou (1837-1890), and his grandfather, Yang style’s legendary founder, Yang Luchan (1799-1872). By John M. Murney

 

The Root of Chinese Qigong: One Hundred and One Questions

Yang Jwing-Ming

Because many of the Qìgōng practices have been kept secret in the past, many theories and methods have been passed down randomly. Only in the last twenty years have most of these secrets been revealed to the general public. Even so, because of the long years of secrecy, many of the documents that are available to us remain incomplete or unconfirmed. Some of the questions may remain mysteries, since I firmly believe that nobody is able to reach the level of Qìgōng practice attained by earlier masters. The following are some of the questions I have had. By Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming

 

Improve Appearance and Prolong Life

Grandmaster Wang PeishengThere is an old saying that money can buy anything but health. There are two other things money cannot buy, beauty, and long life. However, if one exercises ­regularly and has self-control it is possible to live a long and healthy life. The key is to persevere in exercise summer and winter. The following methods are for improving the appearance and extending the life. Why not give them a try? By Grandmaster Wang Peisheng (translated by Tim Cartmell, edited by Qi Journal staff)

 

Master Liu HeDaoist Wisdom: 2023 - The Year of the Water Rabbit

Several factors contribute to this focus on Qigong: world travel and multicultural awareness; the increasing demand for holistic healing practice in medicine; and the active role people are taking in their own health. All of these elements require Qigong to cross the centuries from its origins in ancient China to become a respected modern practice. Qigong is one of Chinese medicine’s most revered traditional treatment modalities. My family’s multigenerational Qigong legacy informs the theory and practice that I share with my students, and that I offer to you in this article. By Master Liu He

Ezra Abrahamy

Departments:

Departments in this issue: “Feng Shui Power Principle—The Bagua” by Carol Olmstead gives us 3 simple steps on how to utilize the bagua in fengshui practice. Kenneth Cohen shares “Is Intent Enough?” where he explains the difference between learning specific qigong movements vs. using intent in qigong. “Chinese Year of the Water Rabbit” is a cultural tidbit by Steven Luo that explains why you should expect the water rabbit year to be a time of harmony, prosperity, and good fortune. Then Robert Keller, L.Ac., shares “A Few Quick Facts About the Spleen in Chinese Medicine” where he discusses the basics of a healthy diet from a TCM perspective and how it affects one’s spleen. “Transforming Emotions with Daoist Meditation” by Michele Collins Vergara, details TCM and Daoist meditation practices that offer a useful way to transform and lessen the impact of unresolved emotional states which affect our health and well-being. And finally, Ezra Abrahamy shares “Applying Taijiquan Principles in Science”, where his over 30 years as a scientist/engineer makes his taijiquan practice an ongoing scientific process.


I hope you enjoy this, our 129th consecutive issue of Qi Journal.