We were honoured to have Faye Yip as our instructor on the weekend of July 10th/11th at Harborne Hall.
Yi Jin Jing Health Qigong is a precisely structured Qigong form which aims to potentiate and direct the flow of Qi; all movements focus upon meridians and specific energy points. The title means ‘Change Tendons Classic’, or ‘the great (or holy) body of work which promotes (beneficial) change in muscle/tendons.’
Faye explained the differences between Tai Ji and Qigong; in the latter, while intent remains important, there is no opponent; in Qigong you are working with yourself, neither are there any martial applications; the movements themselves have their own significance. Finally the principles of body movement and Qi flow take precedence over Tai Ji principles of stance – the knee over the foot rule does not apply, for example and although joints are never locked the limbs are often straighter than in Tai Ji. The cultivation of Qi, we were told, is the cultivation of harmony.
Faye is an excellent instructor; our learning progressed in stages and there was ample time allowed for questions and discussion, yet by the end of the first day we had still completed seven of the twelve movements. The set begins with ‘Wei Tuo presents the Pestle’ where the pestle, an ancient weapon resembling a staff, is presented to the Buddha figure. The names are evocative and their imagery powerful – the physical activity required by the Qigong mirrors them. This is exemplified by the ‘Nine Spirits Drawing the Sabre’ which involves contraction, ‘her’, and expansion, ‘kai’, in a strong spiralling move. Faye explained that this derives from the action of drawing a weapon carried on a student’s back. Encouraged by the Master to “wander like a cloud” the student would travel to meet other martial artists, share skills, compete and gain prowess.
How does this Qigong form feel to us? It is challenging, involving as it does a lot of stretching and the control of exacting postures but it is immensely satisfying to perform. The allegorical names are an aid to the execution of each move – the tiger springing on its prey is not to be trifled with!
How can the form be applied within the context of specific health needs? Faye demonstrated modifications of ‘Plucking a Star’ to us; and, as always, the individual best knows their own students and what they can safely and happily take on board. My own thought was how useful this would be for younger wheelchair users or for the younger unfit student who sought something they could work on and aspire to. The feeling of Yi Jin Jing is very different from the Shibashi form in this respect.
On Sunday the early risers began the day with some gentle and stimulating Qigong from Sara Mokone and after breakfast we worked on the completion of the form. The day was spent in learning and refining our practice and after Saturday’s rain we snatched some sunlight for Qigong on the lawn. At the end of the afternoon Faye treated us to a demonstration of Wu Qin Xi, the Five Animal Qigong, where her grace and skill held us spellbound. She quoted Chen Zhen Lai who said that to be a good student one needed three things: to have a good teacher, a willingness to learn and a commitment to work hard. Thank you, Faye, for a wonderful weekend – and we shall practise the Yi Jin Jing , we promise!
Sue Platt
