Chi Kung (Qi Gong) is a name for thousands of training methods developed in China, which usually serve to build vital energy, mental strength, consciousness and health. ‘Chi’ refers to energy and ‘Kung’ stands for cultivation. ‘Kung’ also means ‘sweat’, ‘effort’, ‘hard work’, ‘patience’ and ‘a long time’. In many Chinese parks you see people doing these simple exercises early in the morning, it is a beautiful sight: full of peace, awareness and harmony.
Zhan Zhuang
The style I teach is called Zhan Zhuang (pronounced as ‘djam djong’). Zhan Zhuang is designed to build vital energy and the internal system. Zhan Zhuang has become famous for a number of very dynamic, but seemingly stationary poses, which is why it is also called ‘standing like a tree’ or ‘standing like a pole’. The still postures form the powerful core of the training, surrounded by moving exercises based on these stationary postures.
Standing still.
Standing still is a very different training than moving exercises, it is challenging, demanding and the result is very different and complementary to the one from regular exercises. It is the most powerful method I know to build up energy, inner harmony and structure. It is the foundation for many martial, healing and spiritual arts.
Old tradition in modern life
Chi Kung (Qi Gong) has a very old tradition. Chi Kung exercises were recorded about 2700 years ago and they still form an integral part of regular, preventive and curative Chinese medicine. They are used successfully in many Chinese hospitals (including for cancer treatment). Many Chinese companies use some of the exercises to prevent illness and promote well-being, vitality and health among the employees.
In this video clip, Professor Yu Yong Nian, a direct student of Wang Xiang Zhai, and teacher of my teacher Master Lam Kam Chuen, explains Zhan Zhuang beautifully:
This is what my teachers (teacher) said:
“A small movement is better than a big movement
No movement is better than a small movement
Stillness is the mother of all movement”
Grandmaster Wang Xiang Zhai
“When you stand, you are like a tree.
You are growing from within.
Your feet, like roots, draw power from the earth.
Your body, like the trunk, is perfectly aligned.
You are unmoving, strong.
Your head is open to the heavens like the crown of the tree.
You rest calmly, the universe within your mind.”
Master Lam Kam Chuen
“Energy is the raw material for everything. If you know how to take care of it and develop it qualitatively, everything you think, do and are will be of a higher quality. You gain energy by naturally taking on the challenge of gravity and silence with your body and mind. In our experience, Zhan Zhuang training is different from – and complementary to – all other mental and physical training. This also makes the outcome complementary.”
Anders Håkansson
Zhan Zhuang Chi Kung (Qi Gong) – TAO geomancy – Feng Shui – Amsterdam
COSIMA SCHEUTEN
Garden of Chi 