QFL Ebooklet Online Rev 1
QFL Ebooklet Online Rev 1
a n d Yo u
Discover Energy. Cultivate Vitality.
www.Qigong-for-Life.com
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Copyright © 2016 by Martha Blane
www.Qigong-for-Life.com
Credit for selected photos: Suzie Kaplan Photography on page 12 (top), page 15 and page 19.
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Welcome . . .
Over many years our newsletter has endeavored to address students’ ques-
tions. Each chapter of this e-book is a thoughtful and concise article from
a previous newsletter that will give you glimpses into the world of qigong.
This e-book was created for new students of qigong. Many are curious and
ask the same basic questions when starting their qigong practice. It will
introduce you to many inspiring aspects of qigong and give you insight into
the benefits of a regular practice.
Martha Blane
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Table of Contents
What is Qigong? • 5
What is a Gong? • 17
Resources • 26
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What is Qigong?
QIGONG (PRONOUNCED “CHEE GUNG”) is an ancient Chinese healing art and
health care system that integrates physical postures, movement exercises, breath-
ing techniques and focused intention. It improves physical, emotional and mental
well being, prevents disease and increases vitality.
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Benefits of Zhineng Qigong
Zhineng Qigong is suitable for everyone, of all ages. It is practiced standing, seated
and even lying down at any time and any place. It can also be modified for anyone.
Benefits are cumulative with regular practice.
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The Heart of Zhineng Qigong
I WAS RECENTLY ASKED WHAT ROLE
consciousness plays in Zhineng Qigong. Our
practices usually include a variety of medi-
tations, movements, stretching exercises,
breathing methods and we generally feel
better when our practice ends. We often talk
about changing the body and the mind, but
it is really our consciousness that is most
important.
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This heightened sensitivity naturally
occurs during qigong practice. It
gently opens a door to allow us to
step out of limiting thought patterns
and into an expanded consciousness.
This is the place where repetitive
thoughts of struggling, suffering and
disease can be transformed.
Often our narrow view is the underlying cause of our discomfort. It is usually a
result of patterns learned years ago and
continued because we were unaware of h
it. “The key to growth is the
introduction of higher
ness over and over again our percep- into our awareness.”
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Zhineng Qigong theory and practice
h
constantly points us towards cultivating
“When we quit thinking
consciousness. This practice of using
primarily about ourselves and
the body to access the mind creates an
our own self-preservation,
exquisite opportunity for healing on all
we undergo a truly heroic
levels.
transformation of consciousness.”
– Joseph Campbell
How we see ourselves and the world
around is an inside job, one of opening
the heart to compassion, contentment and generosity—this is the heart of Zhineng
Qigong.
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Seven Aspects for Optimal Self-Healing
MANY WISDOM TRADITIONS OFFER US STEP-BY-STEP formulas to attain high-
er levels of health, inner peace or enlightenment. I often shy away from formulas
as they seem to trivialize the effort required to truly create a change within. That
said, when I came across some of my notes from a retreat I attended with Jane Jin
in 2010, I felt the approach she outlined could be very helpful for new students
who are looking for ways to integrate qigong into their lives. It also serves the
serious explorers of qigong because of the potential for human transformation.
This approach offers a solid foundation, which is necessary for deriving the best
benefit from qigong practices.
1 STRONG BELIEF
In Jane’s words “You must believe, without doubt, from the bottom of
your heart that you have the ability to heal. You have to believe in your
own mind power. You are the master of yourself. You are the governor
of your blood and life qi.” She goes on to say that you must join your
belief with self-confidence. All living things have the inherent ability to
self-heal. We were born with this ability. We see basic evidence of this
regularly when we recover from a cold or cut. However, we are often
told otherwise in our society and culture. This has furthered our loss
of connection with nature and our own wisdom. The ability to regener-
ate our bodies and/or change cellular structure is innate. We must also
believe that we are able to be receivers of information and energy from
teachers, nature and healers. We must use our own initiative to receive.
This can be done by thinking of ‘opening the door and inviting qi in’.
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2 POSITIVE ATTITUDE
You will be more successful if you think positively
rather than negatively. Living with a positive attitude
is better than a negative one in that it creates a more
desirable and resourceful frame of reference. Believ-
ing you can empowers you to take effective action.
In truth, it is the action, not the thought that is im-
portant. Rather than cultivating the capacity to think
“good thoughts”, cultivate the ability to choose what
thoughts are useful and which are not. Like many wisdom traditions,
qigong wisdom maintains that everything is connected, so naturally
your life will seem better if seen through the eyes of positive attitude.
It is often this simple: if you are kind, people will be kind to you. This
positive way of looking at life liberates our mind and heart.
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meditation, limb stretching as well
as supporting yourself with abun-
dant nourishment and rest.
5 GROUP PRACTICE
Group practice is very powerful for
healing and support. Dr. Pang es-
tablished the technique of using the
group to create and amplify a strong energy field. Group experience shar-
ing is also a unique aspect of Zhineng Qigong. It is a teaching/learning
method that creates community, thereby strengthening our connection
to each other and to all living beings.
6
CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE
I believe this message is clearest in Jane’s words: “You must get rid of
your bad habits: harmful diet, too much sex, drinking, and night life.
You have to change your bad habits. For very serious illnesses you should
not drink alcohol, have sex, or eat food with too much nutrition.”
7 MIND
CULTIVATION
The actual move-
ment and meditation
practices are just a
small part of self-
healing. We need to
recognize that our
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mental and psychological health is equally,
if not more important, in cultivating self-
healing. Jane reminds us that, “We need to be
tolerant, practical, and realistic. It is impor-
tant not to be too ambitious or too picky about
things around you. Keep a peaceful mind. It
helps to not be tempted by things you cannot
reach, so you aren’t dissatisfied all the time. Be
satisfied.” A way of cultivating this aspect is to
take time regularly to examine our points of
view (also called “Reference System”). These
examinations can reveal where we are creat-
ing suffering within ourselves. A practitioner
at our recent retreat succinctly put it this way:
h
“Keep your reference system as
a hypothesis. New evidence can
and will change your frame of
reference temporarily
at any time.”
– Jim Ferranti
I have come to know that these aspects are potent and can be
revered as a path for optimal self-healing. It provides a solid
foundation for students at all levels. Taking these seven aspects
to heart can truly create a change within.
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Finding Your Perfect Qigong Teacher
“HOW DO I FIND THE PERFECT QIGONG TEACHER”? I considered this question
some years ago when I realized that my martial arts practices were leading me
towards a deeper curiosity of qigong. My martial arts teacher advised me to find a
qigong teacher who could support my curiosity.
For the next few years I learned from a handful of teachers. Even though I didn’t
find a teacher I wanted to stay with I did learn some important practices, theories
and ideas from each of them, for which I remain grateful. I also encountered some
aspects that did not feel in alignment with my desires. These included not having
the depth of knowledge I sought after or offering enough classes/workshops.
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Plus with many CDs, DVDs and online
classes readily available you don’t really
need a teacher that you can meet with or
take live classes from. But maybe you want
one. This desire to have a personal teacher
is a compelling enough reason to undertake
a search. Plus, there are many benefits to
an in-person teacher and it is highly recom-
mended for serious students. A few of the
benefits include personal attention to your
questions, energetic support in your journey of discovery and amplified qi from
the teacher and other students in the classes/workshops. Searching for teachers in
your geographic area will significantly narrow down your choices.
The National Qigong Association (NQA) offers these guidelines when looking for
a qigong teacher: “Keep in mind the following criteria for choosing a qualified in-
structor: what is their background and experience; are they of good character; do
they treat everyone fairly and with respect; do they live what they teach; do they
refrain from making wild, unsubstantiated claims; do they encourage and bring
out a student’s highest potential? While keeping these points in mind, remember
to trust your intuition in finding an instructor who is right for you.”
I agree with these guidelines with the caveat that you must remember your teacher
is human and not a perfect being. You must not put them above you as this will
create a skewed relationship and you will likely be disappointed. Even the best
teachers make mistakes and can be a little zany or flaky. This is a part of the experi-
ence and learning opportunity that comes with having a teacher. You may even
notice that sometimes their words may not match their behavior. Remember your
teacher is learning, changing and evolving along with you.
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An “imperfect” teacher may actually be h
one that activates the deepest insights “To lead others, one must find
and the best opportunities for you to see one’s own direction.”
yourself more clearly. These instances – Chuang Tzu
can lead you to more liberation and em-
powerment. It is one of the gifts of having a teacher.
Of greatest importance is that you not surrender yourself to your teacher. Do not
become a zealous disciple. Explore your doubts and trust your wisdom. Remember
that you are at the helm, and the designer of your own life, which includes choos-
ing or staying with a teacher.
It is recommended that you try out a few classes to get to know a teacher and some
of the students. There should not be any obligation to continue if it’s not a fit.
If you decide to keep practicing, be open to exploring new ideas and taking full
advantage of your teachers’ training.
If the teacher and the system he or she teaches appears to be in alignment with
your goals, you are fortunate. The next step is to decide whether it is time to un-
dertake a consistent daily practice. The NQA website states: “It is recommended by
experienced teachers to stay
with a form for at least 100
days. A consistent practice is
the most important asset you
can develop.” When begin-
ners ask, “What is the most
important aspect of practic-
ing Qigong?” The answer is
always . . . “just do it.”
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What is a Gong?
“Gong” is a Chinese word that is often generally translated
to mean cultivation or work. In qigong, martial arts, and
other practices, accomplishing a Gong is considered the
most effective way to truly change old patterns and inte-
grate new ones. A Gong consists of doing a chosen practice
for a pre-selected, consecutive number of days.
Length of a Gong: Often 100 days is chosen, as the maximum benefit will be real-
ized. Some teachers tell us that the first 40 days are needed to release old physical,
mental and emotional patterns/habits. The next 60 days are to establish, integrate
and stabilize new supportive and healthy patterns. After 100-days the new patterns
easily become part of your new way of being.
It is common to hear of 7, 28 and 40-day Gongs. If you are not sure you want to
undertake 100 days, then try a shorter Gong to see what effects and benefits you
notice. This can be an excellent method for gaining courage, resolve and insight
into what it takes to accomplish a 100-day Gong. A shorter Gong can also be helpful
when exploring a new practice.
Whichever length you choose for your first Gong, I recommend that you do not
miss even one day, if you are desirous of obtaining the most benefit. But of course,
it is up to you. Some teachers say it is OK to skip a day here and there, but for me
dedicating myself to spend time each day with my practice made it much more
powerful. I learned a lot about the practice I chose, my inner landscape and disci-
pline.
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PICKING A PRACTICE
For your first Gong, I suggest you pick a practice length that you can eas-
ily accomplish; 20-45 minutes each day is enough to achieve benefits. You
may choose to do the breathing exercises, or Lift Qi Up Pour Qi Down, or
a series from the Body Mind Method such as Crane Necks, Bend the Body,
and Hip Rotations. A different practice or a combination of practices is
fine, too.
However, doing the same practice each day, especially for your first Gong
is best so that you can master that particular practice. Later on you can
mix and match more and increase the length of your Gong practice to 60+
minutes. If you are faced with an illness or emotional upset, undertaking
a practice of an hour or more can help support you in reclaiming a more
balanced state.
WHEN TO PRACTICE
You can practice anytime you like. Find a time that is best for your sched-
ule and try to set that time aside for your daily practice. For me, first
thing in the morning is best, before breakfast, on an empty stomach. I
like to start the day feeling grounded, calm and centered.
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because the benefits he derives are so important to him. If he can do it,
most of us certainly can.
Think about the variety of things we do each and every day to take care
of ourselves: brushing our teeth, taking a shower, eating, walking the
dog, and so on. You can think of your practice as one of those everyday
activities.
KEEPING TRACK
Some people like to use a chart or calendar to mark each practice with
something like a smiley face or flower; others find that intimidating. Use
a method that is supportive of your nature.
edness—have fun. We
it!
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What Students Are Saying
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Akino Tsuchiya: Qi is Like a Best Friend
Last year, I decided to try Tai Chi and started searching
for a local class when somehow Martha’s Qigong website
showed up. What is qigong? It took no time for me to
figure out that qigong is what we call Kikou in Japanese.
I had not tried qigong before but it sounded good to me.
Plus, I felt an instant connection with Martha without
even talking to or meeting her. I immediately contacted
Martha and shortly after found myself in a classroom
surrounded by wonderful people like Martha, Leonard
and all her students. I still remember leaving my first
class extremely relaxed (as if all of my muscles decided to take a break) and asking
myself, “What has just happened to me?!”
During the first class, I felt a strong connection with nature, which filled me with
an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Then I noticed that tears were running down
my face and kept flowing no matter how much I tried to stop. I’ve never cried that
much with such feelings of happiness and peace. I didn’t know such a thing was
even possible. What an interesting and powerful experience that was!
The very next day I went for my usual walk on the nearby trail where rabbits and
birds are the typical creatures that I see. But that day was different. I saw a duck
out of nowhere who seemed to be totally fine with my existence and later a coyote
who stood and stared at me in the middle of the trail. I was a little scared, but more
intrigued. The sky seemed bluer and the color of flowers seemed more vivid than
usual. I asked myself, ”Is this because of the qigong practice yesterday?” “What is
qigong?”
Next thing you know, I surrounded myself with 3 books and 3 DVDs on differ-
ent styles of qigong because I wanted to know everything about it (my habit). A
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few weeks into it, I was feeling crappy as if different qi was
having a fistfight in me. I was also utterly confused with all
the information I consumed from random reading. Thank-
fully, Martha advised me to stick to a simpler practice and
stop reading and thinking so much! What wonderful and
wise advice that was. I decided not to “figure out” more
about qigong or to expect some results from qigong. Instead, I decided to simply
acknowledge that qi is there and to be open to it.
Since then, I’ve done a 100-day gong of the breathing exercises and am currently
doing another gong using a series from the Mind/Body Method. Since I started
qigong, ‘relaxation’ has become one of my main intentions. “Relax” . . . what a
simple, yet sometimes difficult task! We tend to consume ourselves in our busy
daily lives and forget the importance of just being relaxed.
With my teaching job, I commute to San Francisco weekly in the Spring and Fall.
Monday is a particularly long day for me, starting with the alarm at 3:40AM, a
50-minute drive to the SD airport to catch the first morning flight, a 30-minute
ride on the subway, walk through busy downtown, working online from the hotel
room before finally heading to the University to teach on-campus classes for 6
hours. By the time I go back to my hotel room at night, I feel as if I have just run
a mini marathon! But qigong has taught me to find moments of relaxation even
during these busy days. For example, when I leave home in the early morning and
see the moon mysteriously smiling at me, I say hello and compliment her on her
beauty and we have a talk. At the airport, I consciously enjoy every sip of the other-
wise ordinary cup of coffee. On the way to the University, I take the long path only
so that I can stop by the Grace Cathedral where I sit for a few minutes and admire
its beautiful stained glass windows. During a class break, I purposely leave the
campus to have time for myself, often accompanied by a cup of tea. When I have
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more time, I simply sit under a tree at a nearby park and feel the breeze as I listen
to wild parrots flying over me. When I’m in the hotel room, I make sure to find
some time for meditation or qigong. It can be a bit challenging to practice with the
constant background noise of the city, but it always re-calibrates me.
Some days I can keep my intention well, and some days, well not so much. But I
feel great knowing that qi is always there like one’s best friend. A year and a half
into my relationship with qigong, it has become an important part of my life and
I look forward to continuing my practice. I truly appreciate Martha for all of her
guidance, love and help. What a precious gift she is to me and to all of us.
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than halfway through a 100-day gong with ZBE
practice. The benefits have been subtle and
profound. There is a quietness and ease in my
everyday life. At first I would look at the clock
and see how much I could get done and how
fast. Now I do my practice and everything falls
into place as it needs to. And sometimes things
just don’t need to! My massage practice has ben-
efitted also. Slowing down has allowed me to be-
come more attuned to and curious about what is
under my hands. A longtime client said recently,
‘Your hands are so relaxed’. Music to my ears!
Sharing before and after class offers another
level of understanding. Martha’s insights and
responses to questions open up other channels
of thought and inquiry.
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About Qigong for Life with Martha Blane
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Resources
BOOKS
Qigong Through the Seasons: How to Stay Healthy All Year with Qigong,
Meditation, Diet and Herbs
By Ronald H. Davis
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ARTICLES
Demystifying Qi Gong
By Joseph Davis, LAc.
Nature As Last Resort, Qigong and Its Use to Combat Fatal Illness
An Interview with Pang Ming
WEBSITES
Medicine Begins with Me – Chilel Qigong, Frank Chan & Eva Lew
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