The ancient art of
Qigong (literally translated Breath Work) now a fundamental part of
Chinese Medicine, was born from the Taoist quest for immortality.
References to qi (vital energy) and its circulation for better organ
function date refer back to the Shang Dynasty. The documented practice
of qigong began in earnest during the forth century A.D. naturally the
passing of these techniques from one generation to the nest was not
static. Doctors, material artists, and priests all added to the
direction and refinement of Qigong over the centuries.
In TCM
(Traditional Chinese Medicine) theory, the human body has meridians
going all through it in different directions like a network. These
meridians are the channels where the Qi flows. The basic and most
important conditions for a healthy body is that qi flows well in all
the meridians. If qi is stagnant at a certain point, disease will
arise from there. This is the reason we need to practice qigong. We
practice with the purpose of making qi flow smoothly and freely
through the meridians. This is how qigong can cure and prevent disease
and enhance health.
There have been
many style of qi cultivation, with the names and emphasis changing
depending on the different forms. The most oldest and diverse form
Daoyin. In the Chinese science of health preservation ¡§Dao¡¨ refers to
the body¡¦s movement guided by the minds strength to generate the flow
of qi internally. ¡§Yin¡¨ is the concept of physical movement enabling
qi to link solid and hollow organs, reach the extremities, and begin
its health nurturing cycle again. Qigong differs from sport exercise
because of the mental activity and visualization behind the movement.
It is intent on harnessing the mind¡¦s energy. The result is that when
done correctly energy is accumulated and collected as opposed to being
consumed and depleted.
The state of
harmony between body and mind, the losing of self in qigong practice,
and the act of movement without thought are important factors for
acquiring the essence and benefits of qigong. Over a period of time
the practitioner becomes aware of energy flow within the body even
it¡¦s consciously directed released externally. Thus the combination of
physical movement and cerebral stillness result not only in personal
health preservation, but eventually in the ability to heal others as
well. The seven basic daoyin methods are ¡§an¡¨ (pressing) ¡§Fen¡¨
(separating) ¡§Tai¡¨ (pushing) ¡§He¡¨ (closing) ¡§Kai¡¨ (opening) ¡§Rou¡¨
(rubbing) and ¡§Xuan¡¨ (rotating).
Qigong can be
further divided into two modes, quit and active. Quiet mode is done
sitting standing or lying down and uses breathing techniques to calm
and focus the mind and facilitate qi circulation. The active mode
concentrates on an exercise set and massage while seeking a balance
between the mind and strength. So internally qigong can enhance spirit
and vitality while externally strengthening and revitalizing bones
tendons muscle and skin. Qigong practice is the balances combination
of correct posture, correct breathing, and correct mental activity.
In retrospect
qigong can be thought of as a journey through Chinese culture and
philosophy. Harmony is its guiding principle, will power its vehicle,
the interaction of motion and stillness its expression, and the
individual¡¦s health well bring and longevity its final destination.
The movements that
Dr. Wu practices are called ¡§The Fifteen Qigong Exercises¡¨, or the ¡§15
Exercise Set¡¨. These movements are credited to the Tang Dynasty
(618-907 A.D.) and a Taoist priest Xu Xuan Ping. For almost 1400 years
they have been a reliable method of improving health and constitution,
curing disease, and promoting longevity. The fact that in China today
it is so widespread and popular is strong testimony to this styles
effectiveness for medical and health purpose. The movements and
imagery are clearly inspired by nature or forces of nature. This
series was created based on ancient qigong training, imitating the
movements of elephant, dragon, roc, peacock, white crane, wild horse,
holding the moon, pushing a mountain, ducking a floating ball etc.
Dr. Wu was
introduced to qigong at the age of eight. Upon graduating from high
school Dr. Wu was caught up in the Cultural Revolution, he was sent to
a small village in Hebai province to study Chinese Medicine with his
Uncle. In 1977 when the revolution ended and the Universities
re-opened Dr. Wu was able to take advantage of the post cultural
revolutionary climate to study traditional healing formerly. Having
attained a B.Sc. Medicine in Harbin, he continued his studies in
Beijing. He graduated with a Masters of Acupuncture and Qigong. This
was the first session of a Masters Degree in China and the world. As
one of only twelve people to have attained this rank, he was able to
study under many of China¡¦s greatest Masters. Included among his
teachers were the venerable Shi De Xing, abbot of Shaolin Temple, and
renowned scholar Dr. Jiao Guo-Rui. Through education and discipline
Dr. Wu Bin Jiang became the vessel into which the knowledge and wisdom
of China¡¦s living Treasures¡¨ was poured.
Dr. Wu is a Master
of both Acupuncture & Qigong. He is the President of Ontario College
of TCM and the founder and President of Wu¡¦s Head Massage
International Association. Dr. Wu has dedicated many years to bridging
the gap between the healing modalities of the East and West. He is
currently the President of the Hungarian Qi Gong Association, Founder
of the International Association of Acupuncture and Moxibustion
Manipulation Techniques, Executive Director of the Chinese Medicine
and Acupuncture Association of Canada. Honor Consultant of Hong Kong
Massage & Physiotherapy Professional General Union. He has held the
position of Clinical Supervisor at Mount Sinai Hospital Pain Clinic
and Michener Institute for Applied Health Sciences since 2000. He has
also published over 100 papers on the effectiveness of TCM.
Dr. Wu¡¦s early
experiences with the benefits of Tuina (Chinese Medicinal Massage) and
with the treatment of ¡§modern disease¡¨ inspired him to develop Wu¡¦s
Head Massage and to make it accessible to people worldwide.
