What is Qigong?

Qigong is a Chinese health exercises which work to stimulate the acupuncture points and energy in our bodies. Dayan or “Wild Goose” Qigong is 1800-year old qigong system. Qigong is a combined series of exercises or forms which teach relaxation, flexibility and how to better move and be aware of our bodies.

Qigong means “energy work”. The movements in Qigong are about gathering energy (Qi) and stimulating the flow of energy around the body. As we practice more, we become more aware of the movement of the energy in our body. This shows that both our health and our skill is improving.

In addition to the movements in the forms, qigong also has a number of meditation exercises which teach relaxation and calmness

History of Kunlun Dayan Qigong

Wild Goose (Dayan) Qigong was originally developed in Kunlun Shan, a mountain range in Western China close to the border of Tibet. This mountain range was home to a group of Daoist monks. These monks observed the movements of the Da (Big) Yan (Wild Geese) who also lived in the mountains as they were know for their longevity and long life. They developed a system of exercises based on their movements which make the body lighter, stronger and more flexible as well as helping to protect the body against illness and injury.

This skill was passed down in secret for almost 1800 years. It was not until 1980’s when Grandmaster Yang Meijun, the 27th Generation inheritor of the skill, first taught the skill openly that it became available to the world.

Having studied with Grandmaster Yang Meijun for many years, Master Michael Tse was one of the few people to be accepted as a close student and given permission to teach the skill. Grandmaster Tse moved to the UK and began teaching Dayan Qigong in 1989. After many years hard work, he went on to found the Tse Qigong Centre to develop and teach the skill. The Tse Qigong Centre now has instructors across the UK, Europe and around the world. In 2004, Sifu Malachy O’Connor began studying with the Tse Qigong Centre and has taught Qigong in the UK and the US since.

What will I learn in class?

Classes are taught on a one-to-one basis where you will be taught movements of forms, meditation and the philosophy of Qigong. Each class begins with a series of warm-up exercises and following these you will begin by learning the first form of movements created by Sigong, Grandmaster Michael Tse, which are known as Balancing Gong. These movements form the basis of our learning, helping us to find the right posture, breathing and relaxation. Balancing Gong is good for circulation, flexibility and balance as well as helping arthritis, backache, joint problems and coordination. These movements are based upon the principles of the Dayan Qigong and were created by Master Tse to help beginners. Once you have learned these movement, you will progress on to more advanced forms which will help you to strengthen and develop your health further.

You will also be taught meditation. Where the forms develop flexibility and strength through movement, we need to balance this through meditation. During our movements we are gathering Qi and moving it through our bodies. Meditation allows us to settle and store the Qi from our exercises and balances us as well as helping us develop more sensitivity to our body and our Qi.