Iron Shirt Qigong
New vitality and internal power
This old qigong discipline strengthens the body and creates a protecting “iron shirt“. Originally it was used to keep away inner and outer injuries. Nowadays we use this exercise to improve our immune system. It corrects bad body posture and dissolves unfavourable habits in movements. These postures strengthen the tendons and bones, and create an inner “Qi pressure“ in the lower abdomen. This is the seat of our “life battery”, called the ”Original Force” (or Tantien). This will increase the capability to collect energy in it. Iron Shirt Qigong will help to open the “Kua” (groin area) and exercise the psoas muscle group (starts at the lumber vertebrae and connects at the thighbone). Both are essential to create a good Qi flow while practising Taiji.


Top picture: The Golden Phoenix washes it's feathers
Picture below: Tao Yin exercise (left)  The Golden Urn (right)

 

Iron Shirt Qigong has 8 different figures:

 

• Embracing the tree
• The Golden Turtle and Golden Water buffalo
• The Golden Urn
• The Iron Bridge
• The Golden Phoenix washes it’s feathers
• The Iron bar
• The Tigersound

 

connected with breathing methods like:
•     Kidney breathing
•     creating the Qi belt
•     Packing energy in the major internal organs
•     Energizer Breathing with Embracing the Tree
•     activating the tendon meridians

Tao Yin
Taoist stretching and body twist exercises (on the floor) is to help your internal life force, or Qi, to circulate more freely, for the purpose of refreshing, attuning, adjusting and regenerating your personal energy. It is a series of postures, which also helps to strengthen the tendons, the Qi flow and lower back. Tao Yin improves Iron Shirt and Tai Chi.

 

They are seperate exercises, but a great combination. Next workshop Iron Shirt Qigong: 2 March 2009 in Titirangi, near Auckland, New Zealand