QIGONG
Many people have heard of Tai Chi. Qigong comes from the same traditional Chinese tradition butis not a martial art. Through a series of exercises and movement forms, Qigong helps improve health and fitness, gives us energy and flexibility and helps with depression, relaxation and confidence building. The movements are all informed by Daoist and Buddhist philosophy to achieve a peaceful and happy mind in a strong and healthy body.
Qigong dates back 3,000 years and different schools have developed in China. Wild Goose (Dayan) Qigong is one such school and its forms and exercises go back over 1,700 years. Originally developed in the Kunlun mountains of Northern China by Buddist monks, the forms have been passed down the generations to Master Yang Meijun. Yang Meijun was born in 1898 and practised her skills throughout her life through all of China's troubled times. She decided to allow the skills to be taught more widely and gave her student, Michael Tse, permission to teach the skills in the West. She died in 2002 aged 104 years.
CHUN YUEN QUAN
Chun Yuen comes to us from the Northern Shaolin Kung Fu tradition. However the forms were further developed through the famous Beijing opera. Opera in China is a much more physical and dramatic event than in the West and so it was an ideal place for these martial art forms to be saved and practised. These forms are brilliant for increasing energy levels, fitness and confidence. Master Wu Chun Yuen (pictured on left) inherited the forms from Master Wang Ping and kept them alive, often practising in secret. He then took Michael Tse as his student in Beijing and Master Tse has now introduced them to the UK.
Balance and posture are key elements of Chun Yuen and are vital for our well-being. The strong, dynamic and gra
ceful movements of Chun Yuen allow us to build our fitness whether young or old. Forms can involve using traditional weapons although the forms are not aggressive or for self-defence. Working with a staff will improve balance, posture and co-ordination. As with Qigong, Chun Yuen is a great mood-lifter.
Chun Yuen is accessible to everyone whatever their age or fitness level. There is no requirement for any basic physical fitness before starting forms.
CAROLINE FORBES – SIFU (teacher) (pictured above right)
The Chinese tradition demands that teachers have a good lineage as well as good skill. I have been studying Qigong and Chun Yuen since 1993 and teaching since 1995. I am a qualified teacher and study with my Sifu (Julian Wilde) and Sigong (Michael Tse) so that my skill and knowledge are continually updated. I really love teaching these skills. They have had a big effect on my health and it's great to be able to pass the skills on to my students.