Qi Gong: Being the Four Small Methods System generated and taught by the author

Introduction

It has now been over two years since I began teaching Qi Gong at the Stanley YMCA. I now also teach at Guy Favreau YMCA, and at the Belgo building. I have also given a few demonstration classes, and have taught this system to recovering addicts and alcoholics. Invariably, this system is appreciated for the combination of effectiveness and accessibility. It conforms, in these points, to the needs of our society: an alternative exercise that works, and doesn’t burden the students.
Some students follow the course once a week without testing the system. Such a test can only be made by practising. These lines are to help you practise.

Preamble

Qi Gong is an immense class of Chinese exercises. Chinese martial arts have their origin in Qi Gong, as do many of the spiritualities of the far east. No one knows how old Qi Gong is.
The system of exercises I teach at the YMCA comprises four small systems, all from the Taoist school. The all fit harmoniously together, and are arranged to provide an optimal benefit. The first was taught to me by my Tai Chi teacher, Lee Man Charn. He only said it was from an old man, and was better than our other Tai Chi exercises. But it is not a Tai Chi exercise.
The second is a selection from White Crane Qi Gong – a widely practised system in Taiwan. I learned them from Dr. Lin Sui, my first Qi Gong teacher. He taught Qi Gong at Concordia as a volunteer from 1984 – 86. He was an engineering professor at Concordia.
The third is an exercise from Xing Yi Chuan – a Taoist martial art. I learned it from Lin Sui as well, then again from my own Xing Yi teacher, Gao Tieh Wu, in Shanghai, in 1988. This exercise was his own personal favourite warm-up to get him ready to teach every day in Shanghai’s Ren Min Gong Yuen – their central park.
The fourth is a version of Zham Zhuang, a well-known and broadly practised Tai Chi training exercise. It was taught to me first by Lin Sui, then by Lee Man Charn, then by my Sun style Tai Chi teacher in Hanzhou, Liu Lao Shih, on the banks of West Lake – one of China’s loveliest spots. Zham Zhuang is for strengthening, opening, and cultivating the whole body’s ‘chi’. Even though we only do it a few minutes, it is a complete study in itself.
These four small systems – two from Taoist health exercise, and two from Taoist martial art – function together to provide an effective, accessible way to enjoy and benefit from Qi Gong.