British Health Qigong Association European Health Qigong Games 2018

Yi Jin Jing Master Class 25th – 26th August

With a real buzz of excitement, 40 advanced students from all over Europe, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Holland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Switzerland and Great Britain gathered to begin the two day “Master class” with Professor Shi AiQiao, the world’s leading expert and chief complier of Health Qigong - Yi Jin Jing (Muscle Tendon Changing Classic).

This master class was the first part of the 3rd European Health Qigong Games being held at the University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK from 24th-30th August 2018. Vice president of the British Health Qigong Association, Master Tary Yip provided an excellent translation service throughout the seminar to ensure everyone clearly understood the expert knowledge that the Professor was keen to share with the very attentive audience.

The Professor explained that the Yi Jin Jing has been promoted, taught and practiced now for over 15 years and has amassed a huge following around the world. This routine is designed to help develop the unison of the body, mind and breathing. The 12 movements are aimed at changing muscles, tendons and joints from weak to strong through effective movement that cultivate and circulate qi around the body and cleanse bone marrow. They emphasise bending, turning, twisting and flexing the joints thereby invigorating the limbs and internal organs.

With regular practice, this routine also has a very positive effect on improving the functions of the cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive and nervous systems. It can also help prevent falls through better balance control, increase flexibility and muscular strength and lessen anxiety and depression. It involves an integration of mind and body, natural breathing, assisted by calmness of the mind to make the circulation of the vital energy as unimpeded as possible, gentle movements infused with strength and an interplay of insubstantial and substantial. Easy to learn and perform, this refreshing routine has impressive health and fitness effects and is adaptable to all ages.

Prof. Shi introduced some Zhan Zhuang (standing like a tree) postures that he explained would help students to become more aware of the body, its alignment and how it stabilises itself, thereby allowing blood / Qi to flow freely whilst concentrating on your breath and mental presence.

The Professor meticulously gave an in-depth step-by-step description of the key points of each of the 12 postures as well as the opening stance. He emphasised key essential points for each posture. By performing the exercise with the correct quality will enable students to gain maximum benefits and also lead to achieving the highest standard in Duan Grading assessment or in competition.

Here he used a student from Germany to explain the precision required for one of the postures in the “Tiger Springing on its Prey” exercise with the translation skills of Master Faye Yip.

As the Professor covered each posture, time was given to practice perfecting technique. As he circulated around the group, he cast his expert eye over the practice and adjusted students postures where ever necessary. His attention to detail was thoroughly appreciated by everyone.

As the Professor considered it very important to understand the history and cultural aspects of Yi Jin Jing, he went on to explain that the routine uses harmony of the mind which is different to conventional sports. Western exercise regimes focus heavily on strenuous exercise to get stronger, bigger, faster by boosting the heart which then becomes more powerful, improves circulation of blood and pushes self to the limit. The body gets exhausted and wears out.

Whereas in Chinese exercise regimes, the focus is not to expend energy but rather conserve energy and nourish it. This will build up over time with regular practice, supporting Qi as the main force behind all functions in the body. Strength will come from practicing collecting, cultivating and nourishing qigong. By understanding the principles and characteristics Yi Jin Jing, which involves stretching, twisting, squatting, can lead to greater enhancement of health and well-being and longevity in a very natural way.

He made an interesting point with respect to sweating, “sweat is a nourishing liquid of the heart, so to glow is OK but to pour is not. Calm even breathing is better than panting”.

Yi means change, Jin refers to muscles, tendons and bones (joints) but the Chinese categorise these as tendons because all functions of the body use tendons. Jing means method. By regular practice Yi Jin Jing can improve your life. With consistent stretching everything can be changed from weak to strong. You must have softness and hardness, opening and closing, unblocking and blocking, contracting and extending, emptiness and solidness of stances, unblocking channels, movement and breathing working together with constant intention.

“I found the workshop incredibly helpful and insightful. I always write notes whilst listening and when looking back at what I had written, there was so much detail in there. I'm teaching this routine to one of my classes and we have had a great time working on the points Professor Shi brought up in his workshops. It has certainly given me a deeper level of understanding of this wonderful routine” said Angela Howarth, BHQA Liverpool Instructor.

”Professor Shi covered a huge amount of technical detail in different ways. I am finding many nuggets of information & technical tips coming out whilst teaching my weekly classes including a deeper feeling for the movements and interconnectedness of my mind & body” said Vicky Ahern-Hardiman, Team Leader / Coach BHQA Cheam.

President of the British Health Qigong Association, Faye Yip said “We were honoured to have Professor Shi AiQiao who travelled from China to give this master workshop on Health Qigong Yi Jin Jing to instructors and senior practitioners from all over Europe. Yi Jin Jing is one of the most popular qigong sets due to its effectiveness as pain management for people with ME/CFS or other chronic illness. As the chief compiler, Professor Shi shared his wealth of knowledge and insight on the history, practice and underlying principles of the Health Qigong Yi Jin Jing, which was very interesting and helpful”.